God the fire, we must it.
“You never have to advertise a fire. Everyone comes running when there’s a fire. Likewise, if your church is on fire, you will not have to advertise it. Everyone will know.” —Leonard Ravenhill
Exodus 3:2 NIV
There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
Acts 2:1-4 NIV
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
The of God fills the of God.
Three Ways People Respond to the Fire of the Holy Spirit:
1.
2.
3.
“Catch on fire and people will come for miles to watch you burn.” –John Wesley
Leviticus 9:24 NIV
Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
HOW TO STEWARD THE FIRE—
1. the Fire. (Prayer & Scripture)
“The Holy Spirit never enters a person and then lets them live like the world. He sets fire to the soul.” –A.W. Tozer
2. the Fire. (Community & Worship)
Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Coals burn bright . kills the flame.
3. Add . (Compassion & Mission)
A fire that doesn’t dies out.
Question for Reflection:
How is the Spirit inviting me to add consistent fuel to His flame?
1 Thessalonians 5:19 NIV
Do not quench the Spirit.
WAYS WE QUENCH THE SPIRIT:
1. (Ignoring God’s Promptings)
2. (Rushing through life, too busy for God)
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
3. the Fire (Superficial Faith)
Leviticus 10:1-2 NIV
Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.
Question for Reflection:
Where am I resisting the fire of the Holy Spirit, and how can I surrender more fully?
“The presence of the Holy Spirit in a church is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The fire of God is not given to be wasted.” –A.W. Tozer
Will you the torch, or near the flame?
Judges 2:10 NIV
After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.
“Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”–George Bernard Shaw
Question for Reflection:
How is the Spirit calling me to carry His fire into the world rather than just stay close for warmth?
Veni, Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit)
Come, Holy Spirit, send forth from heaven the radiance of your light.
Come, father of the poor, come, giver of gifts, come, light of the heart.
Greatest comforter, delightful guest, sweet refreshment of the soul.
Rest in labor, coolness in heat, solace in sorrow.
O most blessed light, fill the depths of the hearts of your faithful.
Without your divine power, there is nothing in us, nothing that is pure.
Cleanse what is unclean, water what is dry, heal what is wounded.
Bend what is stubborn, warm what is cold, guide what has gone astray.
Give to your faithful, who trust in you, your sevenfold gifts.
Give them the reward of virtue, grant them final salvation, give them everlasting joy.
Amen. Hallelujah.
Answer Key: starts, steward; fire, temple; surrender, suppress, simulate; fuel; surround; together, isolation; firewood; spread; disobedience; hurry; faking; carry; camp.