Experiencing the Fire of the Lord

SERIES SCRIPTURE

Malachi 4:5 NKJV

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

Luke 1:17 NKJV

17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

INTRODUCTION

We’ve been studying through what it means to operate in THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH. We’ve talked about how we should be DECLARING THE WORD OF THE LORD. We’ve talked about how we should be REPAIRING THE ALTAR OF THE LORD. Today I want to finish up this series by looking at how we should be EXPERIENCING THE FIRE OF THE LORD.

SERMON SCRIPTURE

1 Kings 18:31–39 NKJV

31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” 32 Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.” 34 Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. 36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”

MESSAGE

HE BUILT AN ALTAR IN THE NAME OF THE LORD (vv. 31-32)

Explanation

Elijah not only repaired what was broken down, he built something new.

The 12 stones represented the 12 Tribes of Israel.

In other words, he built upon the foundation of the past, those that came before him.

Application

Before we can experience the fire of the Lord, we’ve got to build an altar in the name of the Lord.

We can build something new as long as we are:

Using the right materials,

Using the right tools, and

Building on the right foundation.

The right materials are found in the Word of God.

The right tools are:

Preaching and Teaching Sound Doctrine.

Praise and Worship.

Prayer and Intercession.

A Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power.

The right foundation is Christ.

Matthew 16:18 KJV 1900

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

HE PUT THE WOOD IN ORDER (vv. 33-35)

Explanation

Elijah was careful to do everything right.

He put the wood in order and prepared the sacrifice in accordance with God’s commandments.

Application

Before we can experience the fire of the Lord, our worship must be in order.

There is a wrong way to worship God.

False Worship

Fake Worship

Fleshly Worship

We don’t come to God on our own terms, we come to God on His terms.

Faithful Worship

Fruitful Worship

Fervent Worship

HE CALLED ON THE NAME OF THE LORD (vv. 36-37)

Explanation

Lord God of...

Abraham,

Isaac, and

Israel (Jacob)

Let it be known this day that...

You are God in Israel

I am Your servant

I have done all these things at Your Word

Hear me, O Lord, hear me that:

this people may know that You are the Lord God

You have turned their hearts back to You again

Application

Before we can experience the fire of the Lord, we must call on the name of the Lord.

Prayer is the spark that will ignite the fire of revival.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Notice the pattern of Elijah’s prayer:

He acknowledged who God is.

He acknowledged he was a servant of God.

He acknowledged he had done everything in accordance with God’s will.

Based on that, he made his petition:

I want these people to know You like I know You.

Then he spoke by faith and declared that the people’s hearts would turn back to God before it actually happened.

THE FIRE OF THE LORD FELL (v. 38)

Explanation

Elijah made the right preparations:

He built an altar in the name of the Lord.

He got everything in order in accordance with God’s will.

He called on the name of the Lord in faith.

As a result, the fire of the Lord fell from heaven.

This demonstrated God’s power.

This also demonstrated God’s acceptance of Elijah’s sacrifice.

Application

If we will do what Elijah did, we can experience the fire of the Lord falling on us.

If we will build an altar in the name of the Lord.

If we will get our worship and devotion in order.

If we will call on the name of the Lord.

We can experience the fire of Pentecost falling on us.

Revival and Renewal

Spiritual Awakening: People become deeply aware of God’s presence, leading to repentance and renewal.

Renewed Zeal: A passionate desire to worship, serve, and share the Gospel increases.

Empowered Witnessing

Bold Evangelism: Just as the apostles boldly preached after Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41), the church gains courage to share the Gospel.

Effective Ministry: There is an anointing on preaching, teaching, and outreach efforts, resulting in transformed lives.

Unity and Fellowship

Breaking Divisions: The Holy Spirit brings believers together in one accord (Acts 2:1), fostering love and unity.

Deepened Relationships: Authentic fellowship and care for one another grow.

Manifestation of Spiritual Gifts

Signs and Wonders: Miracles, healings, and supernatural occurrences often accompany the outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 2:43).

Activation of Gifts: Believers are empowered with gifts like prophecy, tongues, and discernment for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

Transformation of Lives

Conviction of Sin: Hearts are pierced with the truth, leading to life-altering decisions for Christ.

Holiness: A desire for purity and living according to God’s standards intensifies.

Overflowing Joy and Worship

Joy Unspeakable: An outpouring of joy and gratitude often characterizes the experience (Acts 2:46-47).

Spirit-Filled Worship: Worship becomes vibrant, heartfelt, and Spirit-led.

Expansion of the Church

Numerical Growth: Like the early church, many are added to the community of faith as a result of revival (Acts 2:41, 47).

Missional Focus: The church moves beyond its walls to impact the world.

THEY FELL ON THEIR FACES (v. 39)

Explanation

When the people saw a true manifestation of the power of God, they had no choice except to fall on their faces and worship the One True Living God.

They declared, “the Lord He is God, the Lord He is God!”

Application

When the fire of the Lord falls:

It will deepen our worship.

It will draw people to Christ.

It will bring glory to God.

CALL TO ACTION

Build and Altar.

Set Your Worship in Order.

Call on the Name of the Lord.