How to Spread the Fire

Intro

Recap

Fires that Spread

Austrailian Bushfires of 2019-2020

The ​​extreme bushfires tore through New South Wales and Queensland in southeastern Australia, burning 42 million acres, destroying thousands of buildings, and killing dozens of people as well as 3 billion animals, including a staggering 61,000 koalas.

How did it start?

Australia has always experienced bushfires - it has a "fire season". But this particular year they are a lot worse than normal.

Fires are usually caused by lightning strikes or accidentally by a spark - but some fires are also started deliberately.

While those fires are bad, very bad, fire is an agent that serves as an example of the power of the Holy Spirit and the message of Jesus that can start with a spark and spread to the world thru believers

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How do we spread this fire?

Recognize Your Flame

Reveal Your Target

Realize Your Mission

Body

RECOGNIZE YOUR FLAME

We need to recognize that the “Flame” or spiritual awakening we have recieved at church is not just an experience for your own benefit.

It is incredible what God has done in your life but He doesn’t want you to keep it to yourself

In fact, if God has truly done things in your life, it should be almost impossible to keep your mouth shut as you see how others need Jesus and can experience healing and a full life.

Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 20:9

Jeremiah 20:9 NIV

9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

Like Jeremiah, the passion he had to speak for God is replicated inside of Christians today

Every flame has the potential of a wildfire, but until it is recognized and utilized, it’s potential will be wasted.

Your experience can literally change the world.

REVEAL YOUR TARGET

There are people all around us that are ready to hear the gospel of Jesus and respond to the draw of the Holy Spirit.

You don’t have to look far to see the hurting and lost

that friend that is cutting, experimenting with drugs, - they are searching for answers

always down, struggles at home, hurt by the world - they want to know that there is something better - and we have the answer!!!

Identify your reach and determine your influence for the Kingdom of God

Focus on those who do not show fruit of a relationship with Jesus.

maybe they even go to church, or have a good family, or are popular, they still might be lost and need to know Jesus

REALIZE YOUR MISSION

Jesus said, “GO!!!! and make disciples…)

This is our mission - a mission for every single Christian - Jesus said it to all that follow Him, no exceptions!

The mission starts with obedience in taking a step of faith to reach out to 1 person at a time.

You don’t have to speak in front of your whole school - just reach out to that 1 student that is struggling today

When you engage in the Mission - it gives life purpose and that purpose becomes your identity - literally a follower of Christ - not just a weekly event of coming to church...

Conclusion

To spread your flame into a wildfire for God’s Kingdom, 1st recognize your flame, then reveal your target, and then realize the mission.

God has called every believer to be missional in their own context.

And don’t think you can’t start until you are perfect - Jesus never said that. He is all the perfect we need and He is really good at using our messiness to reach others!

When 1 believer decides to fan their flame into existence, it will stir up stagnant believers to do the same.

If 1 person reaches 2 people and those 2 people each reach 2 people, then those 4 each reach 2 people and then those 8....

Follow Jesus and let Him use the flame that’s inside of you to light fires around you!

Small Group Questions:

What is the biggest fire you’ve ever seen? How do you think that fire started?

What is the potential of a small flame? Like the spiritual flame in your heart, what is it’s spreading potential in your world?

Where can you look for people that need to hear about Jesus from you?

What are some ways you can spread your fire in your world?