IS YOUR FIRE GOING OUT?
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Jan. 10, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
IS YOUR FIRE GOING OUT?
By Michael D. O’Neal……Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church……Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Job 18:1-21
Text: Job 18:5-6
Job 18:5-6 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. 6 The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.
Introduction: Have you ever heard of the expression, “being on fire for God”?
Fire usually speaks of judgment in the Bible, but it is also used in a good sense:
John the Baptist – a burning and shining light
Jeremiah – God’s word was as a fire in his bones
Rev. 3 – the church at Laodicea was neither cold nor hot; it had lost its fire
It can bring warmth, and it can bring light:
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
I think we OUGHT to be on fire for the Lord. Of course, unsaved people don’t have a true fire from God. Their fire is a false fire. Unfortunately, the fire of many real Christians doesn’t burn like it once did. I want to encourage you to not burn out, nor rust out, but just keep on burning brightly! If you’re going to stay on fire for Jesus:
I. YOUR FIRE NEEDS ATTENTION
Leviticus 6:12-13 And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. 13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
A. We need to prepare for a fire
B. We need to provoke the fire (lighter, starter)
C. We need to preserve the fire
II. YOUR FIRE NEEDS AFFECTION
1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
I’m a pyromaniac when it comes to being on fire for the Lord.
Love is often compared to a burning flame.
A. Dedicate yourself to staying on fire for God.
B. Draw near to the fire (Heb. 12:29; Jer. 20:9; 23:29)
C. Delight in the fire
III. YOUR FIRE NEEDS AIR
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Don’t shut the windows! (cutting off the air supply)
A. Fresh air (in contrast to unclean spirits)
B. Fulness of air – Eph. 5:18
C. Freedom for air (not stifled nor smothered)
IV. YOUR FIRE NEEDS ACTIVITY & ASSEMBLY
2 Samuel 22:13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
A. Assembly builds heat (like coals – Heb. 10:25)
B. Activity builds heat
1. GET BUSY!!!!
2. Don’t drop out; get it and DO something!
C. Altitude builds heat
1. I know that outer space is supposedly cold, but where you and I walk and work, you’ll get warmer if you get a little higher.
2. Draw close to heaven!
3. Draw close to God!
DON’T LET YOUR FIRE GO OUT!!!