Reviving The Apostolic Fire Series

The story of the early church is one of passion, power, and relentless pursuit of the mission Jesus gave them. From the upper room in Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, the apostles carried a fire that could not be quenched—a fire that transformed lives, shook cities, and changed the course of history. That same fire, that same apostolic power, is available to the church today. It is not a relic of the past; it is the legacy that Jesus left for His church, a call to be a people who live in the fullness of the Spirit, who walk in His authority, and who transform the world with the Gospel.

In Acts 4:31, we see a glimpse of what it looks like when the church is truly alive: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” The early church was a praying church, a Spirit-filled church, and a bold church. They were not content to stay in the comfort of their gatherings; they went out and preached the word of God with courage and conviction. They faced opposition, persecution, and challenges, but they never wavered because they were driven by a fire that came from above.

This sermon is a call to revive that apostolic fire—to return to the passionate, Spirit-empowered, mission-driven faith that defined the early church. It’s a call to embrace the fullness of what God has called us to be and to rise up as a church that doesn’t just exist but transforms the world. As we conclude the "Apostolic Awakening" series, we are reminded that God’s call is not just to understand the apostolic blueprint but to live it, to embody it, and to carry it forward with the same power and boldness that shook the world two thousand years ago.

1. Rekindle the Passion for God’s Presence

The early church was known for their deep passion for God’s presence. They were not content with a shallow, superficial relationship with God; they wanted to know Him intimately, to experience His power, and to be filled with His Spirit. This passion was what drove them to the upper room, to gather in prayer, and to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit came, their passion ignited into a fire that could not be contained—a fire that spread from person to person, city to city, and nation to nation.

Rekindling the passion for God’s presence means returning to a place of deep intimacy with Him. It’s about setting aside distractions, carving out time to be in His presence, and cultivating a heart that is hungry for more of Him. The early church was not satisfied with tradition or ritual; they wanted an encounter with the living God. They understood that everything they did—their preaching, their ministry, their witness—flowed out of their relationship with God. A church that transforms the world is a church that prioritizes the presence of God above all else.

For us today, rekindling that passion requires a willingness to go deeper, to be more intentional, and to seek God with all our hearts. It means that our gatherings must be more than events; they must be encounters with God’s presence. It means that our prayer times must be more than a formality; they must be moments where we connect with the heart of God. A passionate church is a church that is alive, vibrant, and filled with the joy and power of the Holy Spirit. When we are passionate about God’s presence, it will overflow into every area of our lives, and the world will take notice.

Passion for God’s presence also means that we are willing to be led by His Spirit, to follow where He leads, and to obey His voice. The early church did not make decisions based on human wisdom or convenience; they followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They were a church that was willing to be interrupted, redirected, and led into places they never imagined. Rekindling the apostolic fire means that we, too, must be a church that is led by the Spirit, willing to go wherever He calls and to do whatever He asks.

2. Speak the Word of God with Boldness

One of the most striking characteristics of the early church was their boldness. In the face of intense persecution, opposition, and threats, they did not shrink back; they spoke the Word of God with courage and conviction. They were not ashamed of the Gospel, and they did not water down the message to make it more palatable. They preached Jesus—crucified, risen, and coming again—without apology. This boldness was not a product of their own personality; it was the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.