Reason #823
We talked about fire this morning. About how fire changes our lives. Fire affects everything it comes into contact with, leaving its lasting effect. You don't play around with fire. Fire is serious business. All consuming, overwhelming, a fire isn't easy to stop.
God works and moves through fires. He led His people through the desert with fire. Every night, a pillar of fire burned brightly for them so they could see the way. Released from slavery, from captivity, God used fire to change the lives of His people as He rescued them and led them to freedom.
And In 1 Kings 18, God consumes Elijah's alter with fire. And it's the kind of fire that lapped up the water. Fire that couldn't be put out. Fire that changes the lives of everyone watching. Our God is a consuming fire.
Then there was that time they refused to bow down to any other God. You know who I'm talking about. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to follow King Nebuchadnezzar's command that every knee bow before a god that was not our God. That worship be given to something that didn't deserve it. And they said no as the threat of fire loomed. And when they were thrown into those powerful, relentless flames, God showed up. Once again, rescued by fire, and the lives of people were changed.
He stood on the shore that morning. They didn't know it was him. He had died, and he was the last person they were expecting to see. But there he was, Jesus, risen from the dead. Jesus, who loved them and had come to meet them right where they were. In the midst of their day, working and trying their best to figure this whole life thing out, Jesus showed up and built them a fire. A fire to sit around with their Savior, the one who had changed their lives, and it wasn't stopping there.
In Acts the fire fell. Gathered together, God's spirit overwhelmed and consumed His people, and their lives were forever changed. Because at this point, Jesus was gone but only in the person. They didn't have the opportunity to join Him around a fire any more, but that's okay, the fire had come to them. The fire filled them with His spirit. They didn't just have to be near the fire to feel Him, now they were the fire. They were His hands and feet. His temple. And the fire meant He was there, just like it always had. Because God uses fire to change lives, turning His people into the flames that become infections, consuming, contagious, and unstoppable.
John said,“I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Luke 3:15-16) The spirit consumes us. It takes us over. It is an all consuming fire. A fire that changes who you are. That burns away the things that weigh you down. The sin the shame the regret and guilt is eaten up by the flames and they exist no more. And when the fire falls you are changed, permanently altered, never again the same. Because fire is freedom, a second chance, a new start. Set on fire, and we burn for a God who never fails. A God whose spirit ignites the fire in the hearts of His people, turning them into flames that can never be extinguished.
#823 - Because we find Him in the fire.
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" - Luke 12:49
God works and moves through fires. He led His people through the desert with fire. Every night, a pillar of fire burned brightly for them so they could see the way. Released from slavery, from captivity, God used fire to change the lives of His people as He rescued them and led them to freedom.
And In 1 Kings 18, God consumes Elijah's alter with fire. And it's the kind of fire that lapped up the water. Fire that couldn't be put out. Fire that changes the lives of everyone watching. Our God is a consuming fire.
Then there was that time they refused to bow down to any other God. You know who I'm talking about. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to follow King Nebuchadnezzar's command that every knee bow before a god that was not our God. That worship be given to something that didn't deserve it. And they said no as the threat of fire loomed. And when they were thrown into those powerful, relentless flames, God showed up. Once again, rescued by fire, and the lives of people were changed.
He stood on the shore that morning. They didn't know it was him. He had died, and he was the last person they were expecting to see. But there he was, Jesus, risen from the dead. Jesus, who loved them and had come to meet them right where they were. In the midst of their day, working and trying their best to figure this whole life thing out, Jesus showed up and built them a fire. A fire to sit around with their Savior, the one who had changed their lives, and it wasn't stopping there.
In Acts the fire fell. Gathered together, God's spirit overwhelmed and consumed His people, and their lives were forever changed. Because at this point, Jesus was gone but only in the person. They didn't have the opportunity to join Him around a fire any more, but that's okay, the fire had come to them. The fire filled them with His spirit. They didn't just have to be near the fire to feel Him, now they were the fire. They were His hands and feet. His temple. And the fire meant He was there, just like it always had. Because God uses fire to change lives, turning His people into the flames that become infections, consuming, contagious, and unstoppable.
John said,“I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Luke 3:15-16) The spirit consumes us. It takes us over. It is an all consuming fire. A fire that changes who you are. That burns away the things that weigh you down. The sin the shame the regret and guilt is eaten up by the flames and they exist no more. And when the fire falls you are changed, permanently altered, never again the same. Because fire is freedom, a second chance, a new start. Set on fire, and we burn for a God who never fails. A God whose spirit ignites the fire in the hearts of His people, turning them into flames that can never be extinguished.
#823 - Because we find Him in the fire.
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" - Luke 12:49