“Build A Fire”
Acts 28: 1-10
INTRO: 1. I believe that there is nothing in this book that is insignificant.
a. If we truly believe that God orchestrated everything in the life of Paul, we must also believe that even the smallest detail is ordained by God.
b. In my ministry, I’ve discovered some of the most profound truths are in the details of God’s word.
2. Nothing that happened on this tiny island here was by chance… God was orchestrating it all.
3. The ’when’ of this event was significant…they had just survived what had to be one of the most traumatic events of their lives… caught for weeks in a terrifying storm and finally shipwrecked on the shore of this strange little island.
a. We must come to realize that on the other side of the storm God may not bring us to a resort paradise, but to a place where we can be a blessing to others.
4. The ’where’ of this event was significant
a. Not by chance that they landed on this island… an island of pagans who had never heard of this man called Jesus.
b. Often we’re so busy licking our scars and talking about the storm that we miss the real opportunity to make a difference for God.
5. What they did on this island was significant as well… down to the smallest detail.
a. Notice what the first thing they did when they found themselves on this island.
Vs. 2,3 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
b. They were tired, weary, their strength was spent, they where in a confusing place and situation… but they took time to build a fire.
c. The fire would comfort them.
d. The fire would change their condition. (Cold and Wet, Warm)
e. The fire would mark them… tell others where to find them.
f. The fire would guard them from the elements (Rainy)
c. I believe herein lies a spiritual key for our life.
6. When you’re weary, weak, confused and just don’t know what to do… build a Fire!
a. Stir up those Holy Ghost Fires in the desolate place and watch what God can do.
b. That Holy Ghost fire will comfort you.
c. That Holy Ghost fire will change your condition.
d. That Holy Ghost Fire will mark you.
e. That Holy Ghost Fire will guard you from this old world.
7. But what does it take to ‘Build A Fire’ in the middle of my situation?
I. THIS WASN’T A NEW FIRE… BUT A REKINDLED FIRE
a. They didn’t have to start by rubbing sticks together, they found a fire that had already been kindled.
b. I’m not looking for a new fire, a new fad passing by…I want to rekindle that same fire that burned in Acts the 2nd chapter.
A. THE EMBERS OF PENTECOST ARE STILL GLOWING
1. God is still moving.
2. But what that means to your life will be determined by what you do with those glowing embers.
3. If we’ll rekindle it, we’ll soon see the flames and feel it’s power.
ILL. As a little boy I had a fascination with fire and that got me in trouble more than once. But I quickly learned that a fire that looks out isn’t necessarily out. But if you stoke it and blow on it and feed it… soon it will be full force again.
4. The world says the fires of pentecost has gone out, even some churches say that.
5. The problem isn’t that the fires have gone out… God’s people isn’t stoking it and feeding it until our cities recognize that the church is on fire with the Holy Ghost.
6. ILL. On another occasion, as a boy I learned that fire and wind can be a dangerous combination when me and my brother thought we’d build a little fire in a mound of straw behind the church. Almost as soon as I got it lit the wind caught it and it got out-of-control almost instantly. Hardest things I had to do is go tell my Daddy that I had started a huge fire that was out-of-control.
7. The reason many won’t stir up the fire is they’re afraid that it will get out of their control.
II. THIS FIRE HAD TO BE FED
a. As tired and weary as they where, Paul understood that the fire wouldn’t last long unless it was fed.
Vs. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, …
b. If you’re waiting on someone else to build a fire for you, you’ll be disappointed…
c. Waiting for an evangelist to stir up the fire or some singing group or the pastor or even a brother or sister?
d. We must stir up that gift that is within us, we’ve got to feed that fire in our own lives.
A. IT HAD TO BE FED THEN AND THERE.
1. Paul couldn’t wait for things to get better, He needed to build a fire.
2. In darkest crises of his life, David “encouraged himself in the Lord.”
3. Learn to feed that fire when we don’t have anyone else to feed it.
4. When you don’t know what else to do… feed the fire.
5. When you feel like it and when you don’t feel like it…feed the fire.
6. When you’re the only one feeding it (no mention of anyone else feeding this fire)
B. FEED IT THE DRY THINGS IN OUR LIVES.
1. Some people wait for their lives to just erupt in flames.
2. But when I feel a little dry I just rekindle that fire and take those dry attitudes, dry spirits, dry days, dry services, dry outlooks and watch the Holy Ghost set them ablaze again in my life.
3. Dry things won’t last for long in the intense heat of the Holy Ghost.
4. Don’t miss one area… if it’s dry it belongs in the fire.
C. FEED IT ON THE PREPARED THINGS IN OUR LIVES.
1. It took effort on Paul’s part to “gather” that bundle of sticks…he was preparing for the fire.
2. Is your heart, ready for the fire?
3. Have you prepared the way for the Holy Ghost to burn anew in your life.
4. Is your worship prepared before hand? Is your faith prepared before hand? Is your anticipation prepared before hand?
5. Will God find a prepared alter for Him to rain His fire upon?
III. THIS FIRE BROUGHT OUT THE SERPENT
a. The bible is very clear on what brought out the serpent
Acts 28:3 …there came a viper out of the heat,…
b. That old serpent the devil won’t bother the church as long as it’s cold and lifeless, but as soon as Holy Ghost fires begin to stir he’ll raise his ugly head to prevent it.
c. The serpent latched onto Paul’s hand, that which was stirring and feeding the fire.
d. The devil will do anything to keep you from being on fire for God… anything to keep you from stirring things up for God.
A. OTHERS ARE QUICK TO CRITICIZE.
1. It took no time at all for somebody to be whispering about what’s going on with Paul.
2. The natives on that island begin to whisper among themselves.
3. When the devil lifts his head in the midst of what God is doing, there’s always critics sitting back looking for some opportunity to judge what God is doing there.
4. Notice what they whispered…
Acts 28:4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
5. The enemy’s clan will declare… the church is going down, the serpent has won.
6. The enemy declared Paul as ‘sinful’
“No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.”
7. The serpent even recruits church people to criticize what God is doing at another church… ought to be ashamed.
8. They’ll say there must be sin in that church or in your life or this would have not happened.
9. They’ll say this must be God’s judgment against them.
10. Had Paul heard what they were saying he might had bought into it but instead, I like what he does…
B. HE SHAKES THE SNAKE OFF INTO THE FIRE
1. He didn’t defend himself or try and deal with this serpent on his own.
2. Just stir up the fire a little more and the devil will have to go.
3. That grip he has on your situation… he’ll have to let go in the heat of that Holy Ghost fire.
4. Stop trying to convince the devil to leave you alone.
5. Stop trying to fight the devil in your own strength.
ILL. D.L. Moody once called on a leading citizen in Chicago to persuade him to accept Christ. They were seated in the man’s parlor. It was winter and coal was burning in the fireplace. The man objected that he could be just as good a Christian outside the church as in it. Moody said nothing, but stepped to the fireplace, took the tongs, picked a blazing coal from the fire and set it off by itself. In silence the two watched it smolder and go out. “I see,”said the man.
6. Shake him off in the fire!
7. Shake him off in Spirit-filled worship, study, prayer and serving.
8. Paul could stand the heat, but the snake had to go.
ILL. Like the three hebrew children, when we get in the fire with Jesus, that which has bound us has to let go.
C. HE FELT NO HARM
1. I like the result…
Vs. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
2. They expected the hand of Paul to swell up and respond to the poison of the viper…but that didn’t happen.
3. The outsider when the devil attacks expects the church to get all puffed up and filled with the poison of anger, strife and division… but when we shake it off we feel no harm.
4. The devil will want you to mad with everyone in the church… just shake it off.
5. The devil will want you to be poisoned by depression & discouragement… just shake it off in the fire of the Spirit.
6. The devil will want you to give up and wait for death… just shake it off in the fire & go on.
7. If you’ll just shake it off…you’ll make an impact on the lives of those around you.
8. I think one of the things that has destroyed more people’s testimony than anything else is how they respond when the enemy attacks.
IV. THIS FIRE WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING
a. I believe that that physical fire had spiritual significance because of what happened after this event.
b. One thing was clear, the Holy Ghost was already at work on this tiny island.
c. Because of that little fire and even because of the devil’s attacks revival would break out on that tiny island for 3 months.
d. Even when the devil tries to hinder us, God can even use the devil to bless us and open doors we could never open on our own.
e. Revival starts when we stir up the fire and shake off the devil.
A. A REVIVAL THAT TURNS CRITICS INTO CONVERTS
Vs. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
1. Holy Ghost revival has a way of changing peoples hearts and minds.
2. Don’t be angry at your critics or those who put you down…they may be the ones that God sent you to minister to.
3. God will work in your life in such a way that even your critics will have to admit that God is with you.
B. A REVIVAL THAT OPENS DOORS
Vs. 7,8 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
1. No doubt that Publius had heard about what happened.
2. They didn’t just stay in someone’s home, but in a man called the “chief man of the island.”
3. Their godly influence was growing.
4. In the house they found yet another opportunity to minister of the power of God.
C. A REVIVAL THAT COVERS THE ISLAND
Vs. 9, 10 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
1. Who would have ever thought that a group of shipwrecked prisoners of Rome could make such an impact in such a short period of time?
2. Surely our time is running out… we must start stirring up the gift that is within us, so the world can see and believe.
CONCLUSION: Do you need to shake off the enemy tonight in the Holy Ghost fire?
Do you need to stir your life again until you feel Him ablaze in your life?
Do you hunger for a revival that will cover our area? Are you willing for it to start in you?
