Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place2And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.3And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: I want to talk to you about FIRE.......this morning we talked about passion; tonight we’re gonna talk about FIRE......Holy Ghost fire....the same kind of fire that consumed the room on the day of Pentecost.
The word fire is refered to a lot in the Bible. I believe it is because fire comsumes everything in it’s path. We have witnessed what fire can do in and around our county, haven’t we? Once a fire begins, it becomes almost impossible to stop. As a matter of fact, I’m sure you’ve all heard of letting a fire "burn itself out’ because they found they couldn’t control it. It only takes a small spark to start a fire, and it’s time for us get on fire for God again. as we were when we came to Christ! It only takes a spark… this church needs to ignite and then pass it on!
Like Moses, at the burning bush, he met the God of fire! We need the same promise, for Him to make of us a great nation…but we’ll have to catch fire…the fire of God! Like the fire Elijah called down from heaven, that later engulfed his heaven-bound chariot! Like the pillar of fire which led Israel thru the night! Psalm 104:4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
And, as promised, in Acts, a flickering flame settled above each of 120 disciple’s heads, making them look like human candles! Talk about being on fire for God!! It was the Holy Spirit--symbolized by fire! Are you on fire for God? It’s high time we come to that place…the “fire place”!
• Fire purifies Num. 31: 23 Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean:
He’s talking about burning out the impurities, much like a silversmith putting the precious metal on the fire.
• Fire energizes Would people say you are on fire for God? If not, you need to ask God for that zeal, fanned by the flames of the wind-driven Holy Spirit of God!
• Fire spreads! We’ve SEEN it, haven’t we? Especially when the conditions are right!
Most of us have had the sad experience of being in a cold, dead church, with no fire……obviously just going thru the motions, heart is not in it...no one really expects anything to happen! (ever visited a church like that? Ever been a member?)
Some say, what we need is some new converts, that’ll set the church on fire! No, what you need is some fire, and there will be people converted! (why aren’t most churches seeing people saved? The answer is found in another question: Can God entrust them w/ new converts?) Charles Spurgeon: “to put new converts into most churches is like putting live chicks under a dead hen.” They need the warmth of “the fire!”
1. A church that’s on fire for God is Endued with power. The pastor & The people
We need power to fulfill God’s purpose…we need God’s power, alone. We can accept no substitute. We cannot depend upon man-made excitement to get the job done/programs, promotions, publicity/repetitive, empty, full of fluff worship choruses to stir the people into some kind of emotional high. None of these things can substitute for the power of the Holy Spirit upon a church.
1 COR 2:4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Paul says, I’m not depending upon my wisdom, flamboyant sermons, or even MY incredibly funny jokes! And no matter what you think of me as a preacher, no matter how "polished" or "seasoned" ANY preacher is, we need Holy Ghost power! Look at Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. I need you, as your pastor to SHAKE THIS PLACE...so we can speak the word of God with boldness. And did you see how that happened? Vs 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken! And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost!
When God is working and decisions are being made, you can mark it down and take it to the bank: People are praying! And I’d rather have a handful of folks “on fire” than a church full that are so cold you could hang meat in the sanctuary!
No one person can do it alone. Not me and Nanci, not Bro and Sis Denman.....not Sandy or Magdeline or even my Mom (oops) Try to “go it alone” and your fire will dwindle to a flickering flame…a small spark, and eventually be snuffed out, unless somebody fans the coals, and, on their knees--searches for some kindling! Serving God will be a chore, a burden, if you do it in the energy of your flesh, rather than being endued w/ power!
If they don’t spend time in prayer, seeking God’s power on their ministry…and don’t prepare until the night before, here’s what happens: They develop a sense of boredom, then drudgery (here we go again, samo-samo, then a critical spirit, and finally, a cynical spirit.) We can run around trying to pump everything up ourselves, but we’ll burn out. We need to get pumped. It only happens as we’re endued w/ God’s power. And that comes from His Holy Ghost!
2. A church that’s on fire for God has Equality of position. Listen: I believe this church is on fire for God! We have a common goal we’re looking for, and we all must join hands in equality and unity…where nobody is anybody but everybody is somebody!
3 dangers members can fall into:
1. magnifying our importance (feel so indispensible that we deserve special treatment/privilege/consideration/recognition...thinking that our opinion is the right one and the only way to do it.....and our opinion is the one that matters the most.
. minimizing our importance Attitude of unfaithfulness which says, it doesn’t matter if I’m there or not/in choir or not/in nursery or not/tithe or not/attend business mtg. or not/if I join the church or not…but truth is: we need you, and you need us!
Hey, the greatest ability is dependability…anyone can be faithful, but some will go to the grave saying, nobody’s gonna tell me what I should do! [sadly, not even God, Who requests and requires faithfulness!] Don’t minimize your importance to this body of Christ. There is something for all to do, and little is much when God is in it! Just be faithful!
3. A Church that’s on fire for God is evangelistic in priority.
Many of you are on board on this one. It’s very evident, as you bring people to church, as you witness on the job, etc. That’s the very best outreach a church can have, is one that is lived by it’s people as they go on their way. It’s what an “on-fire” church is all about: evangelism!
is to be a hospital for sinners, not a rest home for saints. We are to be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium!
That’s why He left us here! And when we forget that, we lose our fire!
This church body needs for you to be in prayer. We need for you to pray for your Pastors. We need you to pray "one for another"...and we need for you to pray that God will send us the workers and the programs we need to grow this church. We need for you to be filled with the Spirit.....we need to shake this place!
