Set Us On Fire

SET US ON FIRE!

Luke 3:15-16 (KJV)

“15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”

If you have listened or read the news you have heard about forest fires in many different parts of our country. These fires have destroyed thousands of acres of forest, homes, business, animals, and human lives.

Many of these fires burned out of control for days, or weeks. Forest Fire Fighters were called in from many different locations to fight these fires. These fire fighters had the latest in modern fire fighting equipment, but the task before them was very difficult.

A fire broke out in 1988 around the Yellowstone National Park. This fire destroyed 1.4 million acres of beautiful forestland.

The local residents and thousands of trained National Guard fire fighters with all of the modern fire fighting equipment found it to be an impossible task to put this fire out.

Many years of fallen limbs and trees, undergrowth, winds, temperatures, and draught made conditions favorable for the destruction of this devastating forest fire.

They are uncertain of the cause, but it was assumed that lighting from a thunderstorm might have ignited this fire. The fire started out small but grew rapidly. If this fire had of been discovered sooner it might have been contained to a smaller area. It only took a few minutes for this fire to become a huge destructive forest fire. The winds drove it into a burning inferno. It destroyed everything in its path because of its intensive heat.

Many of these trees, which were very tall and huge in diameter, exploded from inside out before the flames reached them. The fire fighters hoped that the fire would burn itself out by reaching areas where the surface was covered by rocks.

As we read of these stories of fires of today and years gone by, it should help us to remember one of the greatest fires ever ignited. This fire was not a fire that destroyed structures, forest, animals, or lives, but it was a fire that set the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls ablaze everywhere it went. This fire started about 2,000 years ago and it is still burning today in the hearts of those who will let it.

•It was prophesied in the Bible that this fire would come.

•This fire was not created by man, or by the technology of their day.

•It seemed everyone in the path of this fire was consumed.

•This fire is still burning today.

•Luke 3:15-16 (NIV) “15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, "I baptise you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

•It was prophesied many years earlier in the Old Testament that it would happen.

•Joel 2:28-29 (KJV) “28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”

•The Lord promised to pour out His Spirit on all people.

•That includes us.

•He promised to pour out His Spirit on men, women, and children.

•The people were in expectation. (Luke 3:15)

•Jesus had promised that He was going away, but He would not leave them comfortless. (John 14:16-18)

•Jesus promised that this comforter, the Holy Ghost would be sent in His name. (John 14:26)

•Jesus promised that He would leave His peace and give unto you His peace. (John 14:27)

•We are living in a troubled world with lots of pain and hurt, but Jesus wants to give us inner peace by giving us His Spirit.

•The Holy Ghost is a gift from God.

•Acts 2:38 (KJV) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

•The Holy Ghost is a gift available to you.

•Acts 2:39 “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”