The Fire of the Church

Acts 2:1–4 NLT

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Introduction:

What happened on the Day of Pentecost was a supernatural event that changed the world.

Much of what the church had that day we have today.

They had the preaching and they gathered together and so do we. But the one thing that had that day that we need to get and keep is the FIRE.

The FIRE is what caused the church to go from small group of 120 people to thousands in just the first week.

What was the FIRE? It was the visible presence and power of God!

God has used several symbols for us to recognize His presence. He has used oil, water, the dove, and fire.

We can see that FIRE on display in the burning bush that called out to Moses.

We can see it with the pillar of fire that led the people of Israel through the wilderness.

We can see it when the Shekinah Glory filled Solomon’s temple.

We can see it with the burnt offerings that the priests presented for the people.

The FIRE has been God’s sign of approval and is clearly displayed on Mount Carmel when Elijah faced off against the prophets of Baal.

FIRE was and is a sign of cleansing, purging, approval, warming, protection, life, and gifting.

Hebrews 12:29 “For our God is a devouring fire.” (MAY LEAVE THIS OUT)

Precious people of God, we need the FIRE!

We must have the FIRE if we are going to do anything for God.

Let’s see what this FIRE is all about.

No Ordinary Fire

This was no ordinary fire.

It was not started by rubbing two sticks together or striking some rocks.

This was a fire that was sent from Heaven.

It was a fire that set apart 120 believers and caused them to turn the world upside down

It was a fire that was so visible that others thought they were drunk:

Acts 2:13 “But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!””

It was a fire that gave them a boldness that they did not have before:

Acts 4:13 “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”

This is the same Peter who said he would follow Christ anywhere and then denied that even knew Him.

It was a fire that set them apart! In other words it made them holy.

Are we set apart?

Do we look like the world around us?

Is our walk any different?

The church should look different from the world and be known by it’s FIRE - it’s identity and power.

We should be known for power, deliverance and victory!

We need FIRE from heaven today! (WOULD YOU AGREE?)

Strange Fire

This FIRE was definitely different than what they were used to.

But, some people have tried to manufacture their own brand of fire.

Leviticus 10:1–3 NLT

Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said, ‘I will display my holiness through those who come near me. I will display my glory before all the people.’ ” And Aaron was silent.

There has been a brand of Pentecost that is a “wrong kind of fire” that gives all Pentecostals a bad name.

Its not hard to look around and find examples of weird and strange behavior that makes the world and even the church world cringe.

There is a brand of wrong fire that is really legalism - it’s a religion cloaked in self-righteousness, one that says if you don’t have what we have, you are going to hell

There is a brand of wrong fire that would place a demon under every rock

There is a brand of wrong fire that is more interested in theatrics than in holiness

This is not the kind of fire that came on the day of Pentecost and its not the kind of fire that rests on many in the church today.

A Cleansing Fire

The FIRE on the day of Pentecost was also a cleansing fire.

Matthew 3:11–12 ““I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.””

I noticed a little while back that my sister-in-law had been burning off the grass in the pasture.

Fire is used to burn off last year’s dead grass and bring nutrients into the grass that will ignite a growing process.

Fire is also used to melt metals like gold and silver.

Gold and Silver are not 100% gold and silver. There are other metal that have attached themselves to it.

In order to make it more of what it is supposed to be it must be introduced to FIRE.

Fire will burn of the impurities leaving just the Gold or silver.

It is the same thing in the life of a believer / follower of Christ. The FIRE of the Holy Spirit burns off impurity

We need constant cleansing.

Ephesians 5:18 “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,”

The words used hear by the apostle Paul indicate that there is a continual filling that takes place and though the Holy Spirit is the one who does the filling, you are the one who comes to get it.

A Drawing Fire

On the day of pentecost people from all over came to see what was happening

Acts 2:6 “When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.”

The FIRE that was poured out on the believers that day caused a stir and people came running.

Today, there are still people who are drawn to the FIRE of God on His people.

This world needs a church that has the FIRE

Let me close with this and then we will pray and open it up for you to receive:

There are Conditions for Receiving the Holy Spirit.

Thirst. A believer must long for this blessing and his soul must thirst after God.

(John 7:37; Psalm 42:2; 63:1; 143:6; Isaiah 41:17; 44:3).

Come unto Christ. This means the complete surrender of the life to do the whole will of God. (John 7:37; Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11;28-30; 1 John 1:7).

Drink. This means the whole-hearted reception into one’s life of the gifts, the fruit, and operations of the Holy Spirit. (John 7:37; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13; Galatians 5:22-23; Revelation 22:17).

Believe on Jesus as the Scripture has said. This means to believe in and obey the whole gospel program (John 7:38,39; John 14:12-15; Matthew 28:20; Mark 16: 15-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1: 4-8; 5:32).

One must be Pure. (2 Timothy 2:21). One cannot love the world, with his heart filled with fleshly lust, and be, at the same time, Spirit-filled. The heart must be purified, and the body consecrated for the Holy Ghost to move in and abide.

Address the camera and remind those at home we are about to pray but we would love to have them join us in person.

Altar

I’m gonna do something different. Let me ask you to all close your eyes for a moment. If you are feeling like you’re all twisted up inside and know that things aren’t right. That’s a good sign that the Holy Spirit is drawing you. Don’t delay one more day, take the step to surrender to God’s love in Jesus Christ today. I’m going to ask you to take a step of faith. If you want take that step today, open your eyes and look at me.

Admit your’e a sinner and you need saving.

Believe Christ lived a sinless life and took your debt.

Commit to following Him and not your own desires.

Everyone can open their eyes and look at me.

Some are here and you need the fire - you may know religious things, but you need an encounter with God’s presence. There is a difference between knowing about Him and having an encounter with His fire. It will cause you to run toward God and the things of God. It will cause you to run to the church house on Sunday morning because you can’t wait to worship Him.

It’s time to quit running in circles but instead run to this altar!

Some here here and you have the fire but it doesn’t burn as brightly as it once did. Have you allowed anything to replace the passion and power?

God wants to re-ignite that flame in you. It’s time to fall on your knees and ask God to make you hungry for the fire again.

Some of you have the fire and its burning strong and you just want to praise God. Come and lets pray together and fan those flames.