On Fire for Jesus

  1. Stir Up the Gift of God (VB089)
    1. Paul told the troubled young pastor, "Stir up the gift that is in you." (2Tim 1:6). Paul had laid his hands on Timothy and the Holy Spirit imparted the gift, but it was up to Timothy to keep the gift stirred up.
    2. Stirring is intentional -- fan the embers to maintain the flame of our spiritual life
    3. Must add the right fuel to keep burning bright spiritually
      1. Like a fireplace, the embers need to be stirred
      2. The correct type of fuel is needed
      3. Do not be deceived, a fire without fuel will die
    4. It's not normal for the fire to go out
      1. Don't fall for the idea, "As life goes on, the fire for Jesus eventually dies down." Cast those thoughts down!
      2. Do not dowse the fire with water! (1Thess 5:19)
    5. God wants us to be a flaming fire for Jesus (Ps 104:4)
  2. On Fire With God's Word (VB090)
    1. Do you want to be on fire for Jesus? Maybe you wish you had the fire like you had earlier in your walk with Him? The good news is, you can stir it up again!
    2. Fan the charisma of your heart (2Tim 1:6)
    3. It's not enough just to start a fire -- you need to sustain it.
    4. God's Word is fuel that is already lit (Jer 23:29)
      1. The Bible is not just another book1
        1. It provides illumination
        2. It brings warmth into the places of your life that have turned cold
        3. It spreads its flames and sets others on fire for Jesus.
      2. Hearts burn when the Scriptures are opened (See, Lk 24:15-32)
    5. The fire of God's Word cleanses our minds, and memories (2Cor 7:1)
      1. The Word of God renews your mind and purifies your thoughts. The fire of the Bible cleanses you (Jn 15:2-3)
      2. God's Word will enlighten your life (see, Eph 1:17-18)
        1. Illuminate your path (Ps 119:105)
        2. Illuminate your understanding (Ps 119:130)
    6. Like fire His Word divinely energizes you (Ps 119:28)
  3. On Fire With Prayer (VB091)
    1. To be on fire for Jesus, you have to add fuel to your spiritual flame. And one type of fuel you need is prayer.
    2. Paul encouraged Timothy to assess his spiritual condition and to take intentional action in order to use his spiritual equipment to the fullest (2Tim 1:6).
    3. Stoke the fire with the fuel of fervent prayer
      1. The first fuel to keep your life on fire for Jesus, is the Word of God.
      2. The second fuel needed to remain spiritually on fire is fervent (fiery) prayer.
    4. We have God's promise that if we will call to Him,2 He will answer us and He will demonstrate great and mighty things, which are inaccessible to ordinary people3 (Jer 33:3)
    5. The book of acts is a pattern book -- Jeremiah 33:3 in action!
      1. The early church totally depended upon God. As a result, they got what God gives. They received and experienced great and mighty things!
      2. The 120 believers gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem and waited for the Day of Pentecost -- for ten days, continued in prayer. (Acts 1:14)
      3. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. God showed them great and mighty things!
      4. They devoted themselves to prayer, and saw signs and wonders (Acts 2:42,43)
      5. Peter and John went to the temple to pray (Acts 3:1) there was a man lying there who had been sick since his birth (See v. 2). They used their authority in the name of Jesus, with faith in God, commanded healing, and they saw great and mighty things (Jer 33:3), the lame man leaped up and went walking in the power of God. On fire for Jesus! (See vv. 7,8)
      6. At one prayer meeting the building shook as if it were in an earthquake -- by the power of God (Acts
      7. Philip preached at Samaria and people were saved and baptized in water. Then Peter and John came and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:5, 14-17)
      8. Ananias was praying. And as he was calling out to God, God spoke to him. The great and mighty thing was, Saul became Paul (Acts 9:10-18).
      9. Cornelius who feared God, along with the rest of his household, gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. Even though he was a pagan Roman soldier, he was seeking God, and Jeremiah 33:3 will work for anyone who prays in faith (Acts 10:1-2).
      10. Peter was in jail, and a home group of believers prayed fervently for his release. They were calling on God, and with a Jeremiah 33:3 "great and mighty things" God answered (Acts 12:5ff).
    6. From beginning to end, the book of Acts is a pattern of the early church praying, and God responding to their prayers. Believers on fire for Jesus, a fervent Church. God showed them great and mighty things -- His promise to anyone who will add the fuel of prayer to their heart.4
  4. On Fire With the Holy Spirit (VB091)

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