On Fire For Christ
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“I ask God to set me on fire… and let people watch me burn.” — John Wesley
(Prayer)
49 “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
We talked a lot about this last week, but look at what Jesus says next:
51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!
52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three;
53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Why does Christ say He came to bring division instead of peace?
Better yet… Why does He say this right after talking about the Fire He came to bring? That He wishes were already kindled?
We talked about this a little last week…
— Fire is scary…
— Fire demands a decision…
— Fire separates and consumes…
Even though we are fascinated by it… even though people are drawn to it… the truth is… people do not want to be in it…
That is why it divides… believers from non-believers… moms from daughters… fathers from sons… 3 vs 2 and 2 vs 3…
If we hope to reach those few … those who will receive… then we MUST allow ourselves to be consumed by the Fire of God!
We must pray: “God… Father… Set me on Fire… and let people watch me burn!”
But… Can I tell you this: “We cannot be ‘Immersed in the Kingdom’… or ‘Set on Fire’ for God… if we are not separated from the world.”
That is what the Fire does…
Hebrews 4:12 (NRSV)
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
John tells us that Jesus is the Word…
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Is it any wonder that Jesus says that He did not come to bring Peace, but division?
Being “on Fire” for God… For the Kingdom… brings division…
It divides us from people… and from this world…
Why?
19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
We are not of this world… We belong to the Kingdom of God… and when we are on fire… we prove that.
We cannot be “On Fire” for the Kingdom while we have a grip on the world.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world;
24 “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
We cannot love the world… worldly ideas… worldly theologies… and still serve God!
We will hate one and love the other…
The Word of God… The Fire that Christ’s brings… prevents that… it separates us from the world… and prepares us to be His Children… to serve as His Ambassadors!
When we are “on Fire” for God… we are completely separated from our past lives!
This is something that the Apostle Paul understood well.
Before his conversion… his salvation experience… on the road to Damascus, Paul was a devout… pious… zealous man…
— Zealous for God
— Zealous for Jewish tradition
— Zealous for traditional world & religious views
— He was there… giving his approval to the first martyred witness for Christ…
54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen.
55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
56 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him.
58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
Now… look at the next verse:
1 And Saul approved of their killing him. That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.
— Zealous for persecuting “Christians”… those followers of “the Way”… because… they were blaspheming God by not holding to Jewish traditions… and the Law.
In the most basic terms… Paul was holding onto the world with everything that he had… he was fighting for it…
We cannot experience the Fire of God… if we are doing that!
We cannot bring the fire to others…We cannot “Love our neighbor”… if we are busy fighting for the world!
The truth is, just like Paul, in that state… we are not on fire for God,… we are on fire for the world!
Now… We know that Paul’s “road to Damascus” experience changed him… and it was more than just his name!
Look at what he says after… his conversion… after Jesus has given him a new life…
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
14 For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.
15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.
17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Can there be any doubt? Paul was set on fire for God!
There are 3 things that Paul reveals that we do when we are on fire for Christ.
Motivated by the Love of Christ.
14 For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.
The NIV says that the Love of Christ “compels” us…
What does it mean to be “compelled” by the Love of Christ?
— He has captured 1st place in your heart… He has become your “First Love”… it means…
Paul never seemed to “get over” his salvation experience.
15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
For Paul… Being “on fire” was not an option… His salvation experience demanded it…
Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus was forever etched into his mind… he never forgot it… it was the motivation for everything he did for the rest of his life!
Paul never forgot what Christ did for him…
I wonder… Have we?! Have we forgotten what Christ did for us?
33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
What does that mean?
— simple… “Command me”… (expound)
— It means that we look at our lives and realize just how lost we are…
“I sometimes think about what it’s going to be like to stand before Jesus, and finally realize how lost I would have been had He not saved me.” — J.D. Greer
Have you ever considered that? Have you ever just stopped… and considered just how lost you were — are … and will be — without Christ?
We sing the song by Mercy Me, “I Can Only Imagine”… and we say it’s a “pretty song”… We love to imagine what it will be like to stand in the presence of God…
But… Do we ever really consider that?!
When I look at the Cross… When I see the scars from where He took the punishment for my sin… Where He paid the price that I owed… Where He suffered and died in the shame that I deserved!
I can’t help but be motivated to do more!
I can’t help but think about how much I owe Him…
But… I think we “see” it… we “realize” it… but… I don’t think we “feel” it…
You see… when we “feel” it… we experience the JOY of living for Him!
That’s our motivation for giving.
We don’t give because God has needs… God multiplies loaves and fishes and pulls tax payments out of fishes’s mouths!
God does not NEED our money… Nor does He WANT it!
God never comes to us… hat in hand… saying, “Please sir, can you spare some cash? Please sir, just a little bit?”
You see… Here’s the truth about money… and how we spend it… We give our money to the things that hold value to us!
We give because in giving, we declare God’s value to us!
Our giving is our declaration of our Love for God!
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT?!
Our giving is a declaration of the value we place in Christ!
What does your giving say about the value of Jesus to you?
(No! It’s not all about money… But…)
There is a reason why Jesus said that if you want to know what you really love… follow the trail of your money.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Do you want to know where your heart is? Then look at your checkbook!
What does your giving say about the value of Jesus to you?
To be compelled by the Love of Christ means… we give it ALL to Him!
When His Love compels you… His Love pours out of you toward others.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.
You see… We are no longer supposed to see people according to the categories of this world: No rich or poor… powerful or weak… Republican or Democrat… Conservative or Liberal… White, Black, Yellow, or Red… Educated or Blue-collar…
We only see them as Christ sees them… As those who know Him, or have yet to know Him!
In 1912… when the Titanic sank… a gigantic chalkboard was set up in downtown London… on it were only two columns: Saved or Lost.
It didn’t matter how much money anyone had… it didn’t matter what “class” of society they were from… They were simply “saved” or “lost”.
Those are the only two categories that matter!
That’s how Paul sees the world…
He says, “I was one of them… whom the Love of Christ plucked out of the waters of judgment… so … now His love for other perishing people controls the agenda of my life!” (paraphrase Greer’s)
If you really believe the Gospel… It wrecks your life!
You’ll never see people… or your life… the same again!
Does the Love of Christ “compel” you?
2. Measure ourselves by His Sacrifices.
2 words characterize Paul’s description of Christ’s sacrifice: Total and Substitution.
I would say “Total and Complete atonement”… because “substitution” does not mean what we tend to think it means…
— Total
15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
“He died for us.” (say that with me)
Our response should be the same! (Do you agree?)
Then think about this: Jesus did not TITHE His blood… He gave it ALL!
Our response to that should not be just a portion… 10%… of our lives…
It should be EVERYTHING!!!!!
But… What does that mean for us?! How does that translate?
— We should offer God a “blank check” …
Substitution…
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
This is one of the greatest verses in the Bible…
Do you see what Christ did there?
— It was not simply a “substitution”… a “tag I’m in” moment… an “I’ll be the martyr” thing…
— Christ’s sacrifice was an EXCHANGE for us… He traded places… On the Cross, Jesus took our place of condemnation… and (here’s the cool part)… gave us His position of privilege.
Do you get the magnitude of that?!
Jesus took our place of shame and gave us His place of Glory!!!!
14 But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
15 He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my ancestors Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
16 the angel who has redeemed me from all harm, bless the boys; and in them let my name be perpetuated, and the name of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude on the earth.”
17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
18 Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father! Since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.”
19 But his father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know; he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”
Do you see what Jacob did?!
He was going to bestow the traditional blessing on Joseph’s sons… He crossed his hands… What should have gone to the older brother (the inheritance, the position of privilege) went to the younger son!
And when Joseph protested… Jacob said, “No, This is how God would have it...”
It is a perfect picture of what Christ… the Messiah… did on the Cross!
At the Cross, God crossed His hands!
He gave to Jesus what was coming to us… and to us what was coming to Jesus!
It’s what J.D.Greer called “The Great Exchange.”
That’s what the Gospel is…
You see… It’s not as simple as we make it… It’s not as simple as substitution…
18 Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.
19 For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
How? How did Christ’s death on the Cross eliminate sin in our lives?
Because… Sin was ALL… brought into one place… therefore it could be dealt with in one act…
When Christ carried the sin of the world into the depths of Hell, He completely destroyed the wall that separated us from God… Effectively exchanging His place for Ours!
That is what Believers are called to do…
We are called to take what we have earned… what we have gained… what we deserve for our hard work… and to bestow it on others…
We are to cross our hands… and say: “The benefit of my success, of my talent, will not be for me, but for this lost world.”
That is what Christ did for us!
It’s like Chris Tomlin’s song:
“We fall down… We lay our crowns… at the feet of Jesus…”
We cross our hands and give Jesus back His position by laying down our lives and living them for Him!
Paul is saying to us “Switch hands like Jesus did!”
Let me ask you: “Is this how you see your resources?”
Paul says: “Leverage what you have for someone else.”
The world says, “That’s crazy! Leverage your resources FOR others! No! You are supposed to leverage others for your own benefit!”
When we live like Paul tells us… the world will think we are crazy.
In fact, this whole passage is Paul’s defense against the charge that he is crazy!
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
When was the last time that your generosity made someone question your sanity?
C.S. Lewis said: “How do you know you’re giving enough? (1) It scares you… and (2) People question your sanity.”
What does your giving say about you?
3. Participate in the Mission of Christ.
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;
You do realize that “us” is the “Church”… right?
The church has a unique, and very important, mission: Reconciling people to God.
(Your mission should you choose to accept it… We cannot be “on fire” and not be “on mission”…)
2 Rather, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
— The gospel declares that Christ bore our sin in our place… that He broke down the barrier between us and God… that He restored (reconciled) the relationship between us and God… and brought Peace…
That is an awesome… wonderful… amazing… thing!
But… It (the Gospel) does them — the people out there — no good if they never hear about it!
We have the most important mission in the world!
All other ministries… apart from that… fail.
— Helping people out of poverty… helping them to get ahead… providing for their “felt” needs… are wonderful and necessary things, but… apart from reconciliation to God… they mean NOTHING!
— To take care of the needs of someone’s body, and not to address their primary need — to be reconciled to God — is to do them a disservice… and a horrible one at that!
“Give a man a fish and… Teach a man to fish and...”
This is the ministry that God gave the Church!
The Church is the primary instrument for reconciliation.
Which means two things:
Our focus… our purpose… in ministry at BCC MUST always be the message of reconciliation.
— Our primary focus, like Paul’s, must be reconciling people to God.
— It means that in everything we do… we focus on people… we focus on making disciples… we focus on revealing to them the One True God!
— That’s what Paul’s focus throughout the NT is… Nothing happens in Acts that is not a part of that strategy.
2. Because the ministry of reconciliation is the most important ministry… and because it is the ministry given specifically to us… the primary place of our investment must be the local church.
— The Church is God’s Plan A… He does not have a Plan B!
— We… with all our problems… with all our struggles… are God’s plan A for the message of reconciliation!
Will we engage in it?
Generosity and Faith are supposed to be a permanent part of our lifestyles… in response to the generosity and Love of Christ.
Why?
14 For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.
In other words… If we are saved… If we claim Christ as Lord and Saviour… then… We have died to our old selves and now we are to live for Christ!
To be a disciple of Jesus is not a “half-hearted” thing… It is not an “I can serve here, but this part is mine” thing…
It means that you go “all in” with your life on the mission of God… and that certainly includes your finances!
Understand… this is not about the church… or the pastor… needing or desiring your money… this is about your walk with God.
If you want to know where you are spiritually… look at your checkbook.
Christ said:
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The principle of giving God your first fruits is valid, and taught in the church today…
We say 10% tithe… But understand this… 10% is a good start…
But, as J.D. Greer says: “Jesus gave everything for us and those of us who live should not look at our finances as something we pay a 10% tax to God from and spend the rest for ourselves.”
Tithing is not the ceiling for generosity… It is the Floor.
We need to ask ourselves: “What am I doing with the other 90%”
I don’t usually use Rick Warren as an example, but… he said that he made enough money off of PDL to buy a small island… yet he still wears a $14 watch and drives a 15-year old truck… He and his wife increased their level of giving incrementally each year and now give away 90% of their income… He calls it “reverse tithing” … he gives away 90% and lives on 10%…
Now… I’m not suggesting that we all attempt to do what Rick Warren is doing… But…
We do have to ask ourselves… What am I doing with the other 90%?
I’ve learned to be faithful with the 10%… But what about the 90%?
Am I living for myself with it, or for Him? Am I crossing my hands on it?
Has your giving… and service… become routine? Comfortable?
BTW… This is not only about money… I have known many people who changed careers… took a pay cut… sacrificed a part of their lifestyle… to do things that they felt God had called them to do…
A sacrificial lifestyle is one that focuses on the Kingdom of God first… and themselves second…
A believer… on fire for God… does not make excuses… does not justify their giving and service… They do it because God desires it!
And because of what He has done for them.
I want you to take a moment…
Think about your life… the things you have… the things you do… what you’ve given to… what you’ve kept for yourself…
When you see Jesus… Which of these things… in eternity… will you consider “wasted” ? Which of these things will you regret holding on to?
It’s never too late… You’re never to old to change the things God calls you to change…
God calls us to live a sacrificial life… not because He desires to “punish” us… or to see us suffer lack… but because that is what He did for us…
That’s what love is!
Where do you need to grow in response to the Love of Christ? In the investment of your life in His mission?
In 1858, Frances Ridley Havergal visited Germany with her father… While visiting a local pastor’s home. she saw a painting of the Crucifixion on the wall… under it was written: “I did this for thee. What have thou done for Me?”
After reading the inscription, she wrote a poem:
“I gave My Life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might’st ransomed be,
And quickened form the dead;
I gave, I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou given for Me?”
Christ gave all for You… What are you giving to Him?
What kingdom are you building? Yours or His?
Are you fully surrendered?