A Firefighter Who Refused to Save

Sermon Title: A Firefighter Who Refused to Save

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:17; Philippians 3:12–14; Revelation 2:4; 3:15–16

Introduction

Imagine your house is on fire. Smoke fills the sky, flames engulf the walls, and in desperation, you run to the fire station for help—only to have the firefighters ignore you. That was the reality for Neville Morrison, who watched his home burn to the ground because the firefighters refused to act immediately.

Neville Morrison discovered his house was on fire. Fortunately he lived only four houses from the fire station. He sprinted to get help. The firefighter that met him at the door told him to call 911. “I have no phone,” he said. “You can see the blaze coming out of the roof of my house!” The firefighter shut the door in his face. By the time firefighters did respond, the home was a total loss.

Now, imagine this in the spiritual sense.

The world is on fire with sin, brokenness, and lost souls, yet many Christians have become complacent—too distracted, too comfortable, or too indifferent to respond.

Paul understood his purpose in the gospel, and we must understand ours as well.

I. The Church’s Primary Mission: Preaching the Gospel

1 Corinthians 1:17 – "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."

‘किनभने बप्‍तिस्‍मा दिन होइन, तर सुसमाचार प्रचार गर्न ख्रीष्‍टले मलाई पठाउनुभएको हो— सांसारिक बुद्धिको कुरामा होइन, नत्रता ख्रीष्‍टको क्रूसको शक्ति व्यर्थ हुनेछ। ‘

१ कोरिन्थी 1:17

Paul was not against baptism, but he understood his primary mission: preaching the gospel.

Just as firefighters exist to save people from fires, the church exists to bring salvation through Christ.

Are we focused on our mission, or have we become distracted?

Are we more concerned with church traditions than with lost souls?

Do we get caught up in debates while neglecting evangelism?

Have we become firefighters who refuse to fight fires?

II. The Danger of Complacency/self satisified in Our Walk with Christ

Revelation 3:15-16 – "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

The church in Laodicea was neither passionate nor completely lost—they were lukewarm. Just like the firefighters who saw the flames but didn’t act,

we sometimes see lost souls but remain indifferent.

Signs of spiritual complacency:

No urgency for evangelism—we assume there’s always time later.

Satisfied with past achievements—we stop growing in faith.

Comfort over calling—we focus on ourselves instead of the mission.

III. Pressing On with Passion for the Gospel

Philippians 3:12–14 – "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."

Paul refused to settle. He was always pressing forward in his mission to share Christ.

If we have lost our passion, it’s time to rekindle the fire:

Return to your first love – Revelation 2:4 says, “You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

कि तिमीले तिम्रो पहिलो प्रेम त्‍यागिदिएका छौ

Do you still have the same zeal for God as when you first believed?

Pray for a renewed passion – Ask God to break your heart for the lost.

Step out in faith – Start sharing the gospel boldly, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Conclusion: Be a Faithful Firefighter for the Gospel

The world is burning—with sin, hopelessness, and spiritual darkness. The gospel is the only way to save souls from eternal destruction.

If firefighters won’t fight fires, they are useless. If the church won’t proclaim the gospel, we have failed in our mission.

Let us wake up, repent of complacency, and commit ourselves to the urgent task of sharing Christ. Don’t shut the door on someone crying out for salvation. Be a faithful firefighter for the gospel.

Call to Action:

This week, pray for at least one person who needs salvation.

Share your testimony or a gospel message with someone in need.

Ask God to ignite a fresh fire in your heart for His mission.

Let’s not be silent firefighters—but bold messengers of Christ!