Faith's Fire

Burned But Not Consumed.

Read 1 Peter 1:3-12 (ESV)

What Is Faith?

The Man with Palsy in Mark 2:5 (ESV)

The example of the Roman Centurion in Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV)

The Woman with the Issue of Blood Matthew 9:20–22, Mark 5:25–34, Luke 8:43–48. Jesus said to her “your faith has healed you.”

Modern day Christianity teaches you that you can believe without having faith.

Baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost is so important because it requires faith.

I can tell you about the faith of the demonized Canaanite woman that Jesus called a dog in Matthew 15:27 (ESV) who famously responded to Jesus’ statement by saying “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs fall from the master’s table.” Jesus said to her that her faith was great. I can go on and on and on, but what is the common denominator here? Faith! Faith under trial. Faith in the midst of suffering.

Read Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Hebrews 11:1 (TPT) - Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.

Faith - Pistis (Greek) is persuasion, conviction and consistency.

Most translations present this verse as describing the subjective experience of faith as “assurance” and “conviction.

The Greek terms chosen by our author focus instead on the objective realities of faith and could perhaps be translated, “Faith is the reality [substance] of things hoped for, the evidence that proves things unseen” (cf. KJV, NKJV).

Continue Reading Hebrews 11:2-6 (ESV)

Hebrews Exposition

The Greek word means not only seek Him, but “seek Him out”—that is, seek Him until they find Him, and seek Him above all others. It is a very strong word; we hardly know how to transfer its meaning into English, for though it does not say “diligently,” it implies it. We must seek, and seek out, that is, seek until we really find. Those who with their hearts follow after God shall not be losers if they believe that He will reward them. You have to believe God so as to seek His glory.

* What is the Fire?

The fire can represent the power and holiness of God.

The term Fire is often used metaphorically in the Bible to represent trials that enter a believer’s life for the sake of purification.

The Fire purifies our character.

Apostolic Study Bible: King James Version: Notes (Notes)

Those who maintain a superficial profession of faith in Christ will ultimately not endure persecution; those who trust Him completely will continue to do so regardless of adverse circumstances. The imagery of the righteous being tested by fire like precious metals, a common theme in the Hebrew Scriptures underscores the letter’s Jewish nature. While difficult to endure, persecution tends to purify one’s motives.

Your Faith Will Be Tested

1 Corinthians 3:13–15 (ESV)

[13] each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

[14] If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.

[15] If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Job 23:10 (ESV)

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

Through the Iron Furnace

Jeremiah 11:3–4 ESV

You shall say to them, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant that I commanded your fathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Listen to my voice, and do all that I command you. So shall you be my people, and I will be your God,

Proverbs 17:3 (ESV)

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts.

When Faith Produces the Fire

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

Burned, but Not Consumed.

Reference to Moses and the Burning Bush.

Acts 2:1–4 (ESV)

[1] When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

[2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

[3] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Conclusion: Let you trials refine you, not define you.