Pr- Real Fire or Strange fire

Turn the Fire Higher: That is our goal, but before we turn the fire higher we want to make sure that we are turning the right fire higher. What does that mean?

Lev 10:1-3

1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

q              Their goal was not to know God, but his Power!  I will be Sanctified, in

            them that come near me

q              Their goal was Position! Who is being glorified? I will be Glorified, before       all the people

q  Not discerning Christ and his body

q  1 Cor 11,27-31 27 So if anyone eats this bread and drinks from this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, he is guilty of sin against the body and the blood of the Lord.

            28 That is why a man should examine himself carefully before eating the bread and                                   drinking from the cup.

            29 For if he eats the bread and drinks from the cup unworthily, not thinking about the                   body of Christ and what it means, he is eating and drinking God's judgment upon                           himself; for he is trifling with the death of Christ.

            30 That is why many of you are weak and sick, and some have even died.(TLB)

Matt 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

q  Is the Lord the center of our Fire or are we ourselves the reason that we serve the Lord? Is it a status thing? A position thing? Korah, Dathan, and Abiram(Num. 16,) These men and 250 princes thought it was this way.

Matt 25:1-12

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.(this is a lie they could not have ever been lit, because they had no oil!)

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

q  They had the vessels, they said they were in love with the bridegroom, but they had no flame, no oil, no light. I believe that they came to know the bridegroom through buying the oil. I think that the oil represents a true love for God!

Luke 13:23-27

23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

q  We are in true danger of being satisfied with having God around. of being around the presence of God, but not having the presence in us!