Biddulph AOG AM 15TH OCT 06.
Place: Biddulph AOG. Date: Sunday, Am 15th Oct. 2006.
Text: Acts 28:1-3. Theme: “Building a Fire.”
Introduction: Reading: Acts 28:1-3.
“Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.
And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
Then Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire.”
After Paul had been shipped wrecked they landed on the island of Malta, verse 1. They had just survived what had to be one of the most disturbing events of their lives, caught in a terrifying storm and finally shipwrecked on the shore of this unknown island.
We must come to realize that on the other side of the storm God may not bring us to a paradise, but to a place where we can be a blessing to others. Often we are so busy licking our scars and talking about the storm, that we miss the real opportunity to make a difference for God.
They were tired, weary, their strength was spent, they where in a confusing place and situation, but they took time to build a fire.
a. The fire would comfort them.
b. The fire would change their condition, from cold to warm.
c. The fire would mark them; telling others where to find them.
d. I believe herein lies a spiritual key for our life.
When you are weary, weak, confused and just do not know what to do, build a fire!
a. Stir up Holy Spirit fires in the desolate place and watch what God can do.
b. That Holy Spirit fire will comfort you.
c. That Holy Spirit fire will change your condition.
d. That Holy Spirit fire will mark you.
But what does it take to ‘Build a fire’ in the middle of my situation?
1ST POINT: THIS WAS NOT A NEW FIRE, BUT A REKINDLED FIRE.
a. They did not have to start this fire by rubbing two sticks together; they found a fire that had already been kindled.
b. I am not looking for a new fire, a new fad passing by; I want to rekindle that same fire that burned in Acts chapter two.
A. THE ASHES OF PENTECOST ARE STILL GLOWING.
1. God is still moving.
2. But what that means to your life will be determined by what you do with those glowing ashes. If we will rekindle it, we will soon see the flames and feel its power.
3. Many churches say the fires of Pentecost have gone out.
4. The problem is not that the fires have gone out; but God’s people are not putting fuel on it and feeding it until our area recognize that the church is on fire with the Holy Spirit.
5. The reason many will not stir up the fire is they are afraid that it will get out of their control.
2ND POINT: THIS FIRE HAD TO BE FED.
a. As tired and weary as they where, Paul understood that the fire would not last long unless it was fed.
Verse 3 “And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire.”
b. If you are waiting on someone else to build a fire for you, you will be disappointed.
c. Waiting for an evangelist to stir up the fire or some singing group or the pastor or even a brother or sister, will not stir up the fire in you.
d. We must stir up that gift that is within us, we have got to feed that fire in our own lives.
A. IT HAD TO BE FED THEN AND THERE.
1. Paul could not wait for things to get better; He needed to build a fire.
2. In the darkest crises of his life, David “encouraged himself in the Lord.”
3. Learn to feed that fire when we do not have anyone else to feed it.
4. When you do not know what else to do, feed the fire.
5. When you feel like it and when you do not feel like it, feed the fire.
6. When you are the only one feeding it (there is no mention if anyone else is feeding this fire, only Paul).
B. FEED IT THE DRY THINGS IN OUR LIVES.
1. Some people wait for their lives to just explode in flames.
2. But when you feel a little dry, just rekindle that fire and take those dry attitudes, dry spirits, dry days, dry services, dry outlooks and watch the Holy Spirit set them ablaze again in your life.
3. Dry things will not last for long in the intense heat of the Holy Spirit.
4. Do not miss one area; if it is dry it belongs in the fire.
C. FEED IT ON THE PREPARED THINGS IN OUR LIVES.
1. It took effort on Paul’s part to “gather” that bundle of sticks, he was preparing for the fire.
2. Is your heart, ready for the fire?
3. Have you prepared the way for the Holy Spirit to burn anew in your life?
4. Is your worship prepared before hand?
Is your faith prepared before hand?
Is your hope prepared before hand?
Will God find a prepared alter for Him to rain His fire upon you?
CONCLUSION: THIS FIRE WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING.
a. One thing was clear; the Holy Spirit was already at work on this tiny island.
b. Because of that little fire, revival would break out on that tiny island for 3 months.
c. Revival starts when we stir up the fire.
d. Holy Spirit revival has a way of changing people’s hearts and minds.
Do you need to stir your life again until you feel Him ablaze in your life?
Do you hunger for a revival that will cover our area?