Good Morning Precious Children of God!! Here it is, Sunday already! Prsaise the Lord! Our sermon today, "The Principles of the Fire of God!" As always, May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
“The Principles for Recovering the Fire of God”
Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-39
Introduction:
Good morning congregation. It’s a pleasure to be in front of you today on this glorious morning God has given to us. I want to direct your attention to a fire today. We can find the fire burning in the pages of our text here. In this passage today, we find the account of Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal. For those who may not be familiar with our story, let me sum it up for you.
King Ahab- King of Israel at the time. Did more to provoke the Lord to anger than any king before him. Had turned the people from worshiping God to worshiping Baal. Because of the wickedness of Israel, God closed up heaven for 3 ½ years. No water.
Elijah- prophet of God at this time. Announced there would be no rain for years.
Israel- In the midst of the drought, famine and disease in the land, no food and kingdom-wide starvation.
This was the situation after 3 ½ years of drought and famine. No food or water and the people were dying in record numbers. We now find here in our text Elijah confronting the evil prophets and the king. Elijah assures the king that the drought and famine are a result of the sin of the children of Israel. Elijah states that “If God is God, then serve Him. If not, serve Baal.” But how is this to be determined? Simple, there is going to be a head-to head confrontation. We find the terms in our text. (V 23-24). As we examine this passage today, I want us to look at four principles that we need to notice to recover the fire of God. If you have your Bible, please open with me to 1 Kings 18 starting at verse 20 and follow along as I read:
1. The Fire Was Necessary For the People’s Survival.
A. God never condones apostasy and idolatry for long. There is a point where God’s mercy will turn to judgement. There is a line drawn that when crossed, God will say, “It is enough.” You know, not long after giving His people the law on Mt. Sinai God warned them. (Deut. 30:16-18). The people forgot the command of God. They began doing their own thing, they forgot the ways of God, they turned from worshiping God to worshiping an idol, and they became cold and indifferent to the things of God. In way, I see the same things in our society today. I think that as a nation, as a people, as believers, many of us have forgotten the command of God. To love Him, serve Him, trust Him, and put Him first! That means standing up for righteousness and holiness even when you are outnumbered, or life is at stake. We need to stand for God, not savagely or harshly, but steadfastly in truth and faith. Just like the people of Israel here in our text, we need something to turn our people back to God. We need something to remind us that there still is a God in heaven on the throne in control of all things. We need something to shift our attention from ourselves to God. We need something to stir our soul, something to revive us. That something, I believe, is an encounter with the fire of God!
2. The People Played a Part In Bringing the Fire. (V32-35.)
Someone has said, “You don’t get something for nothing.” I believe that this is true in the spiritual realm as well. We can’t just sit idly by and expect God to heap great blessing on us. I believe that the action of God is generally preceded by the action of man. Man prepares, God provides. It’s a simple formula. In verses 32-35, Elijah uses the stones to rebuild the altar, then he digs a trench 3 feet wide around the altar, piles wood on the altar and cuts up a bull and lays it on the altar. Notice, human action was required before God would send His fire. Up to this point, Elijah has worked alone. But would you notice that now the people are commanded to take action. Don’t miss the significance of the people’s actions. It is very interesting that they were commanded to fill barrels with water and pour it on the altar, especially since they were in the middle of a drought and water was very precious. Don’t miss this church, they were commanded to put their most prized possession on the altar of God if they were to experience God’s fire. You see, the people thought the thing they needed the most was water, but what they actually needed was the Fire of God! Have I got your attention yet? What are you valuing most in your life today? Is it taking God’s place in your life? We need to learn that sacrifice on our part is necessary to see and experience and know the fire of God. Remember, man prepares, God provides. This is not only something we need to learn in our own personal life, but also in the life of our church and each other. Can you part with your money? Can you part with your time? Can you part with your talent? If your answer to any of those questions is no, I think you need to ask if you are in a drought. The fire of God comes in response to the efforts of the people of God. Let’s move on:
3. This Fire Was God’s Fire. (V38).
Verse 38 says, “Then the fire of the Lord fell…” It was not some contrived fire, it was not a fire made by the people. I will admit, they had a part in bringing the fire, but the fire that came was not their fire---it was God’s fire. I want to tell you today that God didn’t need any help. He didn’t need Elijah to rub two sticks together, He didn’t need Elijah to strike a flint to make a spark, He didn’t need Elijah to put kerosene on the water soaked wood, He didn’t need Elijah to do anything, this was God’s fire. If we back up to verses 26-28 the prophets of Baal felt they needed to help their god along. When he didn’t answer, they lept on the alter, cried out, cut themselves, everything they could think of, but verse 29 tells us there was no answer, no voice. Baal needed help, but our God Almighty doesn’t need the assistance of man, all He requires of us is that we do as He asks us to do. You see, a contrived fire might have charred the pieces of the bull, but it wouldn’t have done as God’s fire. God’s fire licked up the bull, stones, dust, the wood and the water. A man made fire would not suffice. Those gathered would never have believed a man-made fire, they could probably tell the difference between a man-made and a divine made fire, they knew what had the touch of God upon it, they probably knew what was real and what was show. This was a life or death situation. The souls of a nation were at stake. They had to experience God’s fire. What about us today? What is it that we try to do to make God’s fire in our life? I am sure that some of us today are asking that question. Some of us today might be asking, where has God been in my life lately? If God has been quiet lately, ask yourself, am I obeying my Lord? Is there something He is asking me to do that I am ignoring or running from? God doesn’t want us to make His fire, He wants to put that fire in our life. People don’t want a counterfeit Christian, they want the real thing. If God’s fire is burning in your life, people will notice, and they will ask, how do I receive what you have?
4. The Fire of God Changed Peoples Perspective. (V36-37).
Lastly, I want you listen today to the beautiful prayer Elijah offered up to God. This prayer reveals something of his heart. (36-37). Did you happen to hear his concern and passion for the people? He was saying, “Lord, send the fire to convince these people that You are the true God and turn them back to you.” He was concerned for God and for God’s people. He wanted to vindicate the name of God, and at the same time rescue his brethren, the people of Israel. I see Elijah standing with one hand in God’s hand and the other in the people’s, reconciling them together. You know, Elijah didn’t request the fire as some carnal exhibition of power either. He wasn’t interested in seeing some supernatural display, he was more interested in the results of the fire of God. He knew that when the fire came, people would be changed, lives would be restored, families would be mended, dreams would be revived. I want to say here that when God’s fire comes, men’s spirits are freed from the awful bondage of idolatry. When God’s fire comes, the enemy is destroyed. And, just as Elijah had prayed, God’s fire changed the people’s perspective. (v39). When God’s fire fell, the people were reminded of the blessings of old, how they were protected in the wilderness, they were reminded of God’s promises, and that they were the chosen people. It’s amazing to me how one’s perspective changes when they fall on their face before God.
Conclusion:
What about us today friends? Do we remember the promises of God for our own lives today? Jesus has told everyone of us that He would never leave us or forsake us, but He never said that He wouldn’t be quiet. I know that He is here. I know also that He is with you too. But, have we seen God’s fire? Do we fall on our faces in worship and submission before Him, or do we take Him for granted believing that He will listen to us and bless us now matter what we do? Friends, our world, our nation, our church, ourselves need to remember that either the Lord is God, or He is not. And if we say He is, then He deserves the very best of all us. As God’s people, as God’s church, as God’s world. O Lord--send the fire! Your fire, Your consuming, changing, restoring, victorious fire.
Harold Trent.
“The Principles for Recovering the Fire of God”
Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-39
Introduction:
Good morning congregation. It’s a pleasure to be in front of you today on this glorious morning God has given to us. I want to direct your attention to a fire today. We can find the fire burning in the pages of our text here. In this passage today, we find the account of Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal. For those who may not be familiar with our story, let me sum it up for you.
King Ahab- King of Israel at the time. Did more to provoke the Lord to anger than any king before him. Had turned the people from worshiping God to worshiping Baal. Because of the wickedness of Israel, God closed up heaven for 3 ½ years. No water.
Elijah- prophet of God at this time. Announced there would be no rain for years.
Israel- In the midst of the drought, famine and disease in the land, no food and kingdom-wide starvation.
This was the situation after 3 ½ years of drought and famine. No food or water and the people were dying in record numbers. We now find here in our text Elijah confronting the evil prophets and the king. Elijah assures the king that the drought and famine are a result of the sin of the children of Israel. Elijah states that “If God is God, then serve Him. If not, serve Baal.” But how is this to be determined? Simple, there is going to be a head-to head confrontation. We find the terms in our text. (V 23-24). As we examine this passage today, I want us to look at four principles that we need to notice to recover the fire of God. If you have your Bible, please open with me to 1 Kings 18 starting at verse 20 and follow along as I read:
1. The Fire Was Necessary For the People’s Survival.
A. God never condones apostasy and idolatry for long. There is a point where God’s mercy will turn to judgement. There is a line drawn that when crossed, God will say, “It is enough.” You know, not long after giving His people the law on Mt. Sinai God warned them. (Deut. 30:16-18). The people forgot the command of God. They began doing their own thing, they forgot the ways of God, they turned from worshiping God to worshiping an idol, and they became cold and indifferent to the things of God. In way, I see the same things in our society today. I think that as a nation, as a people, as believers, many of us have forgotten the command of God. To love Him, serve Him, trust Him, and put Him first! That means standing up for righteousness and holiness even when you are outnumbered, or life is at stake. We need to stand for God, not savagely or harshly, but steadfastly in truth and faith. Just like the people of Israel here in our text, we need something to turn our people back to God. We need something to remind us that there still is a God in heaven on the throne in control of all things. We need something to shift our attention from ourselves to God. We need something to stir our soul, something to revive us. That something, I believe, is an encounter with the fire of God!
2. The People Played a Part In Bringing the Fire. (V32-35.)
Someone has said, “You don’t get something for nothing.” I believe that this is true in the spiritual realm as well. We can’t just sit idly by and expect God to heap great blessing on us. I believe that the action of God is generally preceded by the action of man. Man prepares, God provides. It’s a simple formula. In verses 32-35, Elijah uses the stones to rebuild the altar, then he digs a trench 3 feet wide around the altar, piles wood on the altar and cuts up a bull and lays it on the altar. Notice, human action was required before God would send His fire. Up to this point, Elijah has worked alone. But would you notice that now the people are commanded to take action. Don’t miss the significance of the people’s actions. It is very interesting that they were commanded to fill barrels with water and pour it on the altar, especially since they were in the middle of a drought and water was very precious. Don’t miss this church, they were commanded to put their most prized possession on the altar of God if they were to experience God’s fire. You see, the people thought the thing they needed the most was water, but what they actually needed was the Fire of God! Have I got your attention yet? What are you valuing most in your life today? Is it taking God’s place in your life? We need to learn that sacrifice on our part is necessary to see and experience and know the fire of God. Remember, man prepares, God provides. This is not only something we need to learn in our own personal life, but also in the life of our church and each other. Can you part with your money? Can you part with your time? Can you part with your talent? If your answer to any of those questions is no, I think you need to ask if you are in a drought. The fire of God comes in response to the efforts of the people of God. Let’s move on:
3. This Fire Was God’s Fire. (V38).
Verse 38 says, “Then the fire of the Lord fell…” It was not some contrived fire, it was not a fire made by the people. I will admit, they had a part in bringing the fire, but the fire that came was not their fire---it was God’s fire. I want to tell you today that God didn’t need any help. He didn’t need Elijah to rub two sticks together, He didn’t need Elijah to strike a flint to make a spark, He didn’t need Elijah to put kerosene on the water soaked wood, He didn’t need Elijah to do anything, this was God’s fire. If we back up to verses 26-28 the prophets of Baal felt they needed to help their god along. When he didn’t answer, they lept on the alter, cried out, cut themselves, everything they could think of, but verse 29 tells us there was no answer, no voice. Baal needed help, but our God Almighty doesn’t need the assistance of man, all He requires of us is that we do as He asks us to do. You see, a contrived fire might have charred the pieces of the bull, but it wouldn’t have done as God’s fire. God’s fire licked up the bull, stones, dust, the wood and the water. A man made fire would not suffice. Those gathered would never have believed a man-made fire, they could probably tell the difference between a man-made and a divine made fire, they knew what had the touch of God upon it, they probably knew what was real and what was show. This was a life or death situation. The souls of a nation were at stake. They had to experience God’s fire. What about us today? What is it that we try to do to make God’s fire in our life? I am sure that some of us today are asking that question. Some of us today might be asking, where has God been in my life lately? If God has been quiet lately, ask yourself, am I obeying my Lord? Is there something He is asking me to do that I am ignoring or running from? God doesn’t want us to make His fire, He wants to put that fire in our life. People don’t want a counterfeit Christian, they want the real thing. If God’s fire is burning in your life, people will notice, and they will ask, how do I receive what you have?
4. The Fire of God Changed Peoples Perspective. (V36-37).
Lastly, I want you listen today to the beautiful prayer Elijah offered up to God. This prayer reveals something of his heart. (36-37). Did you happen to hear his concern and passion for the people? He was saying, “Lord, send the fire to convince these people that You are the true God and turn them back to you.” He was concerned for God and for God’s people. He wanted to vindicate the name of God, and at the same time rescue his brethren, the people of Israel. I see Elijah standing with one hand in God’s hand and the other in the people’s, reconciling them together. You know, Elijah didn’t request the fire as some carnal exhibition of power either. He wasn’t interested in seeing some supernatural display, he was more interested in the results of the fire of God. He knew that when the fire came, people would be changed, lives would be restored, families would be mended, dreams would be revived. I want to say here that when God’s fire comes, men’s spirits are freed from the awful bondage of idolatry. When God’s fire comes, the enemy is destroyed. And, just as Elijah had prayed, God’s fire changed the people’s perspective. (v39). When God’s fire fell, the people were reminded of the blessings of old, how they were protected in the wilderness, they were reminded of God’s promises, and that they were the chosen people. It’s amazing to me how one’s perspective changes when they fall on their face before God.
Conclusion:
What about us today friends? Do we remember the promises of God for our own lives today? Jesus has told everyone of us that He would never leave us or forsake us, but He never said that He wouldn’t be quiet. I know that He is here. I know also that He is with you too. But, have we seen God’s fire? Do we fall on our faces in worship and submission before Him, or do we take Him for granted believing that He will listen to us and bless us now matter what we do? Friends, our world, our nation, our church, ourselves need to remember that either the Lord is God, or He is not. And if we say He is, then He deserves the very best of all us. As God’s people, as God’s church, as God’s world. O Lord--send the fire! Your fire, Your consuming, changing, restoring, victorious fire.
Harold Trent.
Comments
Post a Comment