Rekindling the Enduring Fire of God's Presence
Summary
In this time of reflection and anticipation, as we approach the end of the year, it's crucial to recognize the significance of maintaining the fire of God in our lives. The presence of God is palpable, and there is a stirring in the atmosphere, a call to rekindle the flames within us. This is a season where God is moving profoundly, and we must be ready to embrace the fire that He desires to ignite in each of us.
The fire of God is not just a fleeting experience; it is a lasting impartation from the Holy Spirit that should grow brighter with time. We are called to be like Caleb, whose passion for God did not wane even after 45 years of wandering in the desert. His fire remained strong, and he was ready to claim his mountain when the time came. Similarly, Anna, who prayed and fasted for decades, recognized the fulfillment of God's promise when she saw Jesus. These examples remind us that our fire must endure through life's challenges and uncertainties.
However, the scriptures also warn us of those whose fire diminished, like Solomon and Demas, who allowed distractions and worldly desires to lead them astray. We must guard against such pitfalls and ensure that our passion for God remains undiminished. The story of Joshua, who took up the mantle after Moses, teaches us that we cannot rely on others' fire but must cultivate our own. We must be ready to step into new territories with the fire of God leading us.
The fire of God requires intentionality. Like Moses at the burning bush, we must turn aside and seek God with purpose, allowing His word to ignite our hearts. The tabernacle of Moses, with its perpetual fire, symbolizes the continuous burning of our spiritual lives. We must carry this fire with us, ensuring it never goes out, and let it shine brightly for all to see.
In this hour, God is calling us to be catalysts for revival, to fan the flames of the gifts He has given us, and to press into deeper levels of prayer, worship, and the Word. As we do, we will see revival spark within us and spread to those around us. Let us be a people who burn with a fiery passion for the Lord, setting ourselves on fire so that others may come and watch us burn.
Key Takeaways:
1. Enduring Fire: The fire of God in our lives is meant to be enduring, not just a temporary experience. Like Caleb and Anna, we must maintain our passion for God through life's challenges, ensuring that our fire grows brighter over time. [55:26]
2. Guarding Against Diminishment: The scriptures warn us of those whose fire diminished due to distractions and worldly desires. We must guard against such pitfalls, ensuring that our passion for God remains undiminished and focused on His kingdom. [01:03:03]
3. Intentional Seeking: Like Moses at the burning bush, we must intentionally seek God, turning aside to understand His will and allowing His word to ignite our hearts. This intentionality is crucial for maintaining the fire of God in our lives. [01:23:13]
4. Carrying the Fire: The fire of God requires us to carry it with us, ensuring it never goes out. We must let it shine brightly for all to see, being a light in the world and a catalyst for revival. [01:29:23]
5. Catalysts for Revival: God is calling us to be catalysts for revival, fanning the flames of the gifts He has given us, and pressing into deeper levels of prayer, worship, and the Word. As we do, we will see revival spark within us and spread to those around us. [01:36:59]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[54:03] - Hungry Hearts and God's Presence
[55:26] - The Fire of God in Our Lives
[56:31] - A Fire That Lasts
[57:26] - Examples of Lasting Fire
[58:18] - Caleb's Enduring Passion
[59:08] - Wandering and Vision
[59:55] - Anna's Faithful Waiting
[01:02:14] - The Danger of Diminished Fire
[01:03:03] - Solomon's Compromise
[01:04:39] - Demas' Departure
[01:06:13] - Joshua's Call to Action
[01:08:06] - The Necessity of Deep Roots
[01:09:43] - Set Yourself on Fire
[01:11:22] - Revival Starts Within
[01:12:40] - The Power of Dry Seasons
[01:14:39] - Elisha's Double Portion
[01:16:29] - John the Baptist's Fiery Zeal
[01:18:43] - The Force of Passion
[01:20:40] - Hunger for God's Fire
[01:21:48] - Moses and the Burning Bush
[01:24:56] - The Necessity of a Burning Fire
[01:26:06] - Fire in Moses' Tabernacle
[01:28:56] - Carrying the Fire Forward
[01:30:02] - Let Your Light Shine
[01:31:15] - Guarding and Cultivating Fire
[01:33:51] - Fanning the Flames of Gifts
[01:35:00] - The Unquenchable Fire
[01:36:59] - Lighting the Lamp of Praise
[01:38:08] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 3:1-4 (Moses and the Burning Bush)
2. Joshua 1:2 (Joshua's Call to Action)
3. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (Fan into Flame the Gift of God)
---
Observation Questions:
1. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush, and how did he respond to it? ([22:17])
2. How did Caleb maintain his passion and readiness to claim his mountain after 45 years of wandering? ([59:55])
3. What led to Solomon's fire diminishing, and how is this reflected in his writings? ([03:03])
4. How does the story of Joshua illustrate the importance of cultivating one's own fire rather than relying on others? ([07:05])
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Moses' decision to turn aside and investigate the burning bush teach about intentionality in seeking God? ([23:13])
2. How does Caleb's enduring passion for God challenge modern believers in maintaining their spiritual fervor through life's challenges? ([59:55])
3. In what ways does the story of Demas serve as a warning against allowing worldly distractions to diminish one's spiritual fire? ([04:39])
4. How can the example of Joshua inspire believers to step into new territories with confidence in God's leading? ([07:05])
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your spiritual fire was dimming. What steps can you take to rekindle it intentionally, like Moses did at the burning bush? ([23:13])
2. Caleb maintained his passion for God despite a long period of waiting. How can you cultivate a similar enduring passion in your own life, especially during challenging times? ([59:55])
3. Solomon's story shows the danger of distractions. Identify one distraction in your life that might be diminishing your spiritual fire. What practical steps can you take to address it? ([03:03])
4. Joshua was called to lead after Moses' death. How can you prepare yourself to step into new roles or challenges with confidence in God's guidance? ([07:05])
5. The sermon emphasized being a catalyst for revival. What specific actions can you take this week to fan the flames of the gifts God has given you? ([33:51])
6. Consider the role of prayer and worship in maintaining your spiritual fire. How can you deepen your commitment to these practices in your daily life? ([27:20])
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of carrying the fire of God with us. How can you ensure that your light shines brightly in your community and workplace? ([29:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Enduring Passion for God
The fire of God in our lives is meant to be enduring, not just a temporary experience. Like Caleb, who maintained his passion for God even after 45 years of wandering in the desert, we are called to keep our spiritual fervor alive through life's challenges. Caleb's unwavering faith and readiness to claim his mountain when the time came serve as a powerful reminder that our spiritual fire should grow brighter over time. Similarly, Anna's decades of prayer and fasting prepared her to recognize the fulfillment of God's promise in Jesus. These examples encourage us to nurture a lasting passion for God, ensuring that our fire remains strong and vibrant. [55:26]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure your passion for God remains strong and enduring, even in the face of life's challenges?
Day 2: Guarding Against Spiritual Diminishment
The scriptures warn us of those whose fire diminished due to distractions and worldly desires, such as Solomon and Demas. These individuals allowed external influences to lead them astray, resulting in a loss of spiritual fervor. We must be vigilant in guarding against such pitfalls, ensuring that our passion for God remains undiminished and focused on His kingdom. By keeping our eyes fixed on God and His promises, we can avoid the distractions that threaten to extinguish our spiritual fire. [01:03:03]
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one distraction or worldly desire that has been diminishing your spiritual fire. How can you refocus your attention on God and His kingdom today?
Day 3: Intentional Seeking of God's Presence
Like Moses at the burning bush, we must intentionally seek God, turning aside to understand His will and allowing His word to ignite our hearts. This intentionality is crucial for maintaining the fire of God in our lives. By setting aside time to seek God with purpose, we open ourselves to His transformative power and guidance. The story of Moses reminds us that encountering God requires deliberate action and a willingness to listen to His voice. [01:23:13]
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29, ESV)
Reflection: What intentional steps can you take today to seek God's presence and allow His word to ignite your heart?
Day 4: Carrying the Fire of God
The fire of God requires us to carry it with us, ensuring it never goes out. We must let it shine brightly for all to see, being a light in the world and a catalyst for revival. The perpetual fire in Moses' tabernacle symbolizes the continuous burning of our spiritual lives. As we carry this fire forward, we become beacons of hope and transformation in our communities, inspiring others to seek God and experience His love. [01:29:23]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you let the fire of God shine through you today, impacting those around you and being a catalyst for revival?
Day 5: Catalysts for Revival
God is calling us to be catalysts for revival, fanning the flames of the gifts He has given us, and pressing into deeper levels of prayer, worship, and the Word. As we do, we will see revival spark within us and spread to those around us. By embracing our God-given gifts and using them to serve others, we become instruments of change and renewal in our communities. Let us be a people who burn with a fiery passion for the Lord, setting ourselves on fire so that others may come and watch us burn. [01:36:59]
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: What specific gift has God given you that you can fan into flame today to be a catalyst for revival in your community?
Quotes
1) "And so what I want to talk about today is the fire of God in our lives. I want to talk about it because each one of us needs to never lose our fire. And instead, and I really believe this, I believe that we need to burn brighter and brighter no matter what we encounter. No matter what circumstance. You know what? I think every single one of us has been in a no matter what season. I mean, have you experienced just all sorts of crazy things? I mean, you only have to look at the news and say, whoa, like there's so much going on. But it's not just that. It's things in our own lives that we go like, wow, you know, I wasn't expecting that. I didn't think this was going to happen. But you see, the Lord wants us to have a fire that burns so bright in us that we would say no matter what. That we're going to burn brighter. And we're not only going to, you know, keep that fire burning. It's not only going to just last, but it's going to burn brighter." [55:26] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "And so you'd go, okay, the guy had a fire at the beginning. But I love how the story picks up. You know, he was wandering around. I mean, think about it. You know, it's a no matter what season because Caleb was there wandering around with the rest of the people who failed him. They're the ones. He's like being punished for their mistakes. And he's like walking around going like, I knew we could do it. Like, here I am still here. I'm wasting my life. I don't think he was actually saying that. I think he had a vision of what was to come. But 45 years later. When all the unbelief had died off, meaning the people who didn't believe were gone, it was time to possess the land." [59:55] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "And so there's so many more examples. But I think the walk away is we have to be careful. That. But as time goes on, we don't allow our fires to diminish. Listen, I get it. There's all sorts of reasons. There's all sorts of things we can point to and say, well, you know, look what they did to me. Look at what happened here. No, that we cannot do that. Because the scriptures don't have just examples of people who grew brighter and brighter as time went on. It has examples of people who sadly, tragically. Disastrously, had their fires completely diminish." [01:02:14] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "You see, it's a fire that presses through the difficulties, that we would continually burn brightly, that we would never find ourselves lukewarm. You know, it's interesting because throughout the scriptures, it's always talking about running the race. It's like we're not at a slump. You know, here we go. It's like, no, get ready. Put the right shoes on. Get ready to run because that's how this race is going to be. I've always loved the following quote by the revivalist John Wesley. It's just really always meant something to me. He said it, wrote it in the 1700s, and he said, set yourself on fire for God. And people will come and they'll watch you burn." [01:09:43] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "You see, hard seasons are never easy to go through. You know, we don't like them. We don't want them. If we could have our way, we'd all be in Hawaii. We'd be on perpetual vacation. Come back now, Jesus. But those are not the times that God, you know, it's nice. Enjoy yourself. I like a good vacation. But, that's not when the Lord moves in our life. In fact, it's the dry seasons. It's the difficult seasons that the dry, smoldering embers, the things you forgot you even had, begin to erupt into a flame. You see it in the story of Jacob when he wrestled with the angel. He was not in a good place. But he said, you know what? I'm so not in a good place, I'm not gonna let you go, Jesus, until you bless me, until you change me, until you change my name, until you change who I am. I'm not gonna let you go." [01:12:08] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "You see, God is still in this business of baptizing. That word baptize just means to immerse. He wants to immerse us in the Holy Spirit and he wants to immerse us in the fire of God, that passion for his kingdom. And so just as, you know, in our rest of our time, what I want to do is I want to look at this fire because I believe that God wants us to understand. And I want to begin by looking at Moses and his encounter with the fire at the burning bush. Let me quickly read this. Exodus 3, verse 1. Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law. Let me tell you, when we're busy about the father's business, God begins to move. The priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert and he came to Horeb, the mountain of God." [01:21:14] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "You see, the Lord wants to give us a fire in our lives that causes us to press in and to announce to him, I'm here, Lord. What do you want me to do? I'm here. I'm at your disposal. And we see that the time to do, Moses understood it was now. I will now turn aside. You see, everywhere in scripture, you see the necessity of a fire burning. And actually, a great example is in Moses' tabernacle because he leaves that burning bush experience to go on to lead Israel through the wilderness. And one of the things that he had to do was build this tabernacle, this portable tabernacle. And every time God spoke to him about the tabernacle, he said, Make sure you're doing this according to the pattern that I'm giving you. And it's even repeated twice in the New Testament." [01:24:56] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "But the golden candlestick was always lit too. The fire at the top of the branches of the golden candlestick never went out. They needed to make sure it always burned brightly. And the candlestick speaks of the word of God. That we need to have a fire within us about the word. It's about prayer. It's about worship. It's about all of these things. But you know what? Don't forget that wherever, when God moved, you know, there was a cloud by day and a fire by night that would lead the children of Israel. Whenever God said, okay, you're moving on, because this is what he said, he's saying today, you're moving on. What did they have to do? They had to pack up Moses's tabernacle. It was a big tent, all the furniture, and off it went with them. Why? Because we have to carry the fire with us." [01:28:30] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "And no matter what the level of your fire is this morning, I believe every single one of us can have more. It's just like the days of creation. Day one, let there be light. That's great. Let there be light. But we need day four where God says, let there be more light. Let me give you the sun and the moon and the stars. You see, God, whatever you have walked in, God wants to give you more. He wants more. He wants your life in the Word to be deeper. He wants your life in prayer to go further. He wants even your giftings to begin to manifest in such a way that the earth is going to be touched. How are we going to get to be like Peter whose shadow healed people if we're too afraid of what people are thinking about us? No, he's saying, let there be a fire that comes upon us." [01:35:32] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?