The Fire of God!

Text: Matthew 3:11-12

1. The Fire of God Has Two Different Purposes

(i) To baptize and empower the disciple, Matt. 3:11.

(ii) To judge the world, Matt. 3:12.


2. Old Testament Examples

(i) God spoke to Moses through the fire, i.e., "the burning bush," Ex. 3:2.

(ii) God led the people of Israel through the desert by a "pillar of fire," Ex. 13:22.

(iii) God came down onto Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:18) and spoke to the people through the fire, Deut. 4:12.

(iv) Daily offerings and sacrifices were made to God by the priests with fire, Lev. 7:5.

(v) God answered by fire in Elijah's time to show the people He was the true God, 1 Kings 18:25.

(vi) God's presence came in fire at the dedication of the temple in Solomon's time, 2 Chron. 7:1.

(vii) God declared to Jeremiah that His Words are like "fire" compared to the words of "dross" from the false prophets, Jer. 23:29.

(viii) Daniel had a vision of God's throne and saw fire all around Him with a river of fire flowing from Him, Dan. 7:9-10.


3. New Testament Examples

(i) Jesus said everyone would be "salted with fire," Mark 9:49.

(ii) Jesus said He didn't come to bring peace, but rather He came to bring "fire on the earth," Luke 12:49-52.

(iii) The fire of God is seen on the disciples heads when the Holy Spirit is poured out on Pentecost, Acts 2:3.

(iv) Jesus is described as having eyes of fire and having seven lamp stands and seven stars in His right hand, Rev. 1:20.

(v) John sees a vision of heaven like Daniel and there is a sea of glass and fire coming from the Throne of God, Rev. 15:2.


4. Application for Today

(i) God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29 from Deut. 4:24), thus, you are going to be consumed by God's fire no matter what, Mark 9:49.

(ii) You will either be burned by God's fire in punishment and torment (Rev. 20:14-15) or set on fire by His Holy Spirit with passion and holiness, Matt. 3:11.

(iii)  Therefore, ask God to baptize you with His Holy Spirit fire today and be filled with power to live for God 100%, Acts 1:8; 2:1-3.


5. Sunday Sermon




Extras

1. Great worship song from William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, about the fire of God in the late 1800's, "Send the Fire."  Lindell Cooley remade it in the 1990's during the Brownsville Revival.  The lyrics are included, enjoy!

2. Powerful illustration of God's presence in the pillar of fire during the time of Moses in the desert.