Ignite your flame

Ignite

This is our first Ignite! What does ignite mean— To catch fire

We’re going to look at a story Jesus taught in the Gospel according to Luke.

Luke 11:33 NIV

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

Luke 11:33

Jesus is teaching us something so important in this story.

Luke 11:33 NIV

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

He just aught people how to pray earlier in the chapter. He has stated that he has overpowered and defeated the evil powers in the world through his life and his coming death and resurrection. And he gets to this place in the story where he is telling us bout light.

He says— No one lights a lamp and puts it where it will be hidden.

Lanterns / Lamps

Why is Jesus making this point?

We’re going to look at a

The lamp has a purpose. Its very job, the reason it exists is to carry the light— to illuminate darkness and be a blessing to those who come around it.

-Here’s a question, what does the lamp do on its own?

Its pretty, its a paper weight, a decorations

It’s the flame that provides the light into the world around it

We are all Lamps

God has created us to shine light into the world that is full of darkness.

Has anyone experienced darkness?

Violence, hate, greed, tearing others down, sadness, despair, hopelessness, evil.

You are made to be a lamp that carries the light of God into the world!

Where does the lamp get the light from? It comes from the flame inside.

What is the flame?

The flame is the Spirit of God, God himself that lives inside you. He guides us, teaches us, and illuminates our path through the darkness of the world.

You are a lamp created by God to carry his flame and shine his light in the world.

Do you hide the lamp? ...

A lamp is meant to be seen!

A lamp that is hidden is no more useful in fulfilling its purpose that a lamp that has no flame.

LANTERN EXAMPLE— Lights off with lantern on, turn lantern off, and then turn it on and cover it, useless

Here’s something that you need to know about fire— It needs 2 things

Fuel

Oxygen

For a lamp, the fuel is oil… Or in this case AA batteries- lol.

Fire needs oxygen to burn, it it will snuff it— It needs to breathe!

Take care of your flame

Just like that lamp needs to have its fuel tank refilled, so do you in order to keep your spiritual flame burning. The nourishment for your fuel tank is the Word of God. The bible nourishes our spirits, open conversation in D-groups fills us, and God speaks to us through trusted leaders in the church in the form of sermons.

But fuel isn’t enough— A flame can have all the fuel in the world, but if you smother it with a blanket it will go out. You need to let your flame breathe.

This happens when we open our hearts to God in prayer and worship. Prayer is not simply putting your hands together and speaking special words. It’s about talking to God as your close friend, and Father. And worship is not just about singing, it’s about where you heart and mind are— being fixated on glorifying out amazing God.

Be the lamp you are created to be by carrying the flame of the Spirit, and Nurture your inner spiritual flame.

C

Some of you here may not have received your flame form jesus yet. You are a beautiful and wonderful creation, just waiting to live our its purpose.

Maybe, you’ve recently lit your lamp and the fire is burning strong as you shine the light of Jesus all around you.

maybe, you’ve let the flame start to flicker out. You once knew what it was to shine brightly everywhere you went, but you’ve been lazy in tending your flame. Does it need fuel? Does it need to breathe?

This is what we’re going to talk about in D-groups...

What does it mean to be a lantern?

Do you have the spirit of God in you?

Are you shining His light in the world?

Is your flame going out?

-How can you change that?

Fuel? (Scripture, Fellowship, Preaching)

Breathe? (Prayer, Worship)

Pray for one another