Rekindling the Fire: A Call to Spiritual Renewal
Summary
In today's message, we explored the powerful story of Elijah on Mount Carmel, where he challenged the prophets of Baal and demonstrated the supremacy of the living God. This narrative serves as a profound reminder of the necessity to rekindle the fire of God in our lives. Just as Elijah repaired the altar and called down fire from heaven, we too must rebuild the altars of our hearts and invite God's presence to ignite our passion and devotion.
The story of Elijah is not just about a miraculous event; it is a call to action for each of us. We are reminded that the fire of God is essential for our spiritual vitality. Without it, we risk becoming cold and distant, much like the Israelites who wavered between two opinions. The fire represents God's active presence, His power, and His grace that draws us back to Him, not to consume us in judgment, but to renew and restore us.
In our own lives, we face the challenge of maintaining this fire amidst the distractions and difficulties of life. We must be vigilant, like a soldier on firewatch, ensuring that the flame does not die out. This requires intentionality in our spiritual practices—prayer, worship, and devotion. It also demands that we make sacrifices, offering God what is precious to us, just as Elijah poured water on the altar, demonstrating his faith and commitment.
Moreover, we must confront and eliminate the sin and distractions that threaten to extinguish our fire. Elijah's execution of the prophets of Baal symbolizes the need to decisively deal with anything that pulls us away from God. This is not a call to literal violence, but a metaphor for the spiritual discipline required to maintain holiness and purity in our lives.
Ultimately, the fire of God leads to flourishing. It brings life, joy, and blessing, just as it did for Israel when the drought ended. We are invited to prepare ourselves for a fresh outpouring of God's spirit, to repair our altars, make sacrifices, and execute evil, so that we might experience the fullness of His presence and power.
Key Takeaways:
- Rekindling the Fire of God: Just as Elijah repaired the altar, we must rebuild the spiritual altars in our lives to invite God's presence. This involves returning to the foundational practices of faith that once ignited our passion for God. [02:26]
- The Necessity of Sacrifice: True worship requires sacrifice. We must offer God what is precious to us, not leftovers. This act of giving reflects our devotion and opens the door for God's fire to fall upon our lives. [29:56]
- Confronting Sin: Like Elijah's decisive action against the prophets of Baal, we must confront and eliminate sin in our lives. This spiritual discipline is crucial for maintaining holiness and keeping the fire of God burning. [35:34]
- God's Fire as Mercy, Not Judgment: The fire of God is meant to draw us closer, not to destroy us. It is a symbol of His grace, calling us back to intimacy and renewal, even when we have strayed. [12:52]
- Preparing for God's Move: We must actively prepare for a move of God by maintaining our spiritual disciplines, making sacrifices, and purging sin. This preparation positions us to receive a fresh outpouring of His spirit. [40:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:26] - Elijah's Challenge on Mount Carmel
- [04:27] - Personal Reflection on Cold and Fire
- [05:53] - The Importance of Firewatch
- [08:00] - Renewing Our Relationship with God
- [10:00] - Avoiding Maintenance Mode
- [10:39] - Preparing for God's Fire
- [11:35] - The Law of the Altar
- [12:52] - Fire as Mercy, Not Judgment
- [15:39] - The Impact of Drought
- [18:31] - Confronting Change
- [19:56] - The Danger of Divided Devotion
- [22:47] - God's Call to Focus
- [25:05] - Repairing the Altar
- [29:56] - Making Sacrifices
- [35:34] - Executing Evil
- [40:26] - Preparing for a Move of God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Kings 18:20-40
- Leviticus 6:13
- Romans 12:1
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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Elijah take to prepare the altar before calling on God to send fire? How did these actions demonstrate his faith? [25:05]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the significance of Elijah pouring water on the altar. What was the purpose of this act, especially during a drought? [29:56]
3. How did the people of Israel respond when they witnessed the fire of God consuming the sacrifice? What does this reveal about their spiritual state? [35:34]
4. What were the two main responsibilities of someone on firewatch, as described in the pastor's personal story? How does this relate to maintaining our spiritual fire? [05:53]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. The pastor emphasized the need to "repair the altar" in our lives. What might this look like in a modern context, and why is it essential for experiencing God's presence? [25:05]
2. Discuss the concept of sacrifice in worship as presented in the sermon. How does offering what is precious to us reflect our devotion to God? [29:56]
3. The sermon highlighted the importance of confronting and eliminating sin. How does this spiritual discipline contribute to maintaining holiness and keeping the fire of God burning in our lives? [35:34]
4. The pastor mentioned that God's fire is a symbol of mercy rather than judgment. How does this perspective change the way we view God's presence and actions in our lives? [12:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any "altars" in your life that need repairing? What specific steps can you take this week to rebuild them? [25:05]
2. Identify something precious in your life that you can offer to God as a sacrifice. How can this act of giving deepen your relationship with Him? [29:56]
3. Consider any distractions or sins that may be pulling you away from God. What practical steps can you take to confront and eliminate these from your life? [35:34]
4. The pastor shared a personal story about the challenges of maintaining firewatch. What are some practical ways you can stay vigilant in keeping the spiritual fire alive in your life? [05:53]
5. How can you prepare yourself for a fresh outpouring of God's spirit? What spiritual disciplines can you commit to in order to position yourself for this move of God? [40:26]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to ensure you remain close to Him in the future? [19:56]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of God's fire leading to flourishing. In what areas of your life do you desire to see growth and renewal, and how can you invite God's presence into those areas? [13:49]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Rebuilding Spiritual Altars
In the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel, we see a powerful demonstration of God's supremacy. Elijah's act of repairing the altar before calling down fire from heaven is symbolic of the need to rebuild the spiritual altars in our own lives. This involves returning to the foundational practices of faith that once ignited our passion for God. Just as Elijah prepared the altar with care and intention, we too must be deliberate in creating space for God's presence in our hearts. This means prioritizing prayer, worship, and devotion, and being open to the transformative power of God's fire. [02:26]
1 Kings 18:30-31 (ESV): "Then Elijah said to all the people, 'Come near to me.' And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, 'Israel shall be your name.'"
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to rebuild the spiritual altar in your life, making room for God's presence and power?
Day 2: The Cost of True Worship
True worship requires sacrifice, as demonstrated by Elijah when he poured water on the altar, showing his faith and commitment. This act of giving reflects our devotion and opens the door for God's fire to fall upon our lives. In our own spiritual journey, we are called to offer God what is precious to us, not just our leftovers. This might mean sacrificing time, resources, or personal desires to prioritize our relationship with God. By doing so, we invite His transformative presence into our lives, allowing His fire to ignite our passion and devotion. [29:56]
2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Reflection: What is one thing you hold dear that you can offer to God as a sacrifice today, demonstrating your commitment and devotion to Him?
Day 3: Confronting and Eliminating Sin
Elijah's decisive action against the prophets of Baal serves as a metaphor for the spiritual discipline required to maintain holiness and purity in our lives. We must confront and eliminate the sin and distractions that threaten to extinguish our spiritual fire. This requires honesty, courage, and a willingness to let go of anything that pulls us away from God. By doing so, we create space for His presence to dwell within us, allowing His fire to burn brightly and guide us in our spiritual journey. [35:34]
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
Reflection: Identify one sin or distraction in your life that you need to confront and eliminate. What steps can you take today to begin this process?
Day 4: Experiencing God's Fire as Mercy
The fire of God is not meant to destroy us but to draw us closer to Him. It is a symbol of His grace, calling us back to intimacy and renewal, even when we have strayed. God's fire represents His active presence, power, and mercy, inviting us to experience His love and forgiveness. By embracing this fire, we allow God to renew and restore us, leading to a deeper relationship with Him and a more vibrant spiritual life. [12:52]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: How can you open your heart to experience God's fire as an expression of His mercy and grace today, allowing it to renew and restore your relationship with Him?
Day 5: Preparing for a Move of God
To prepare for a move of God, we must actively maintain our spiritual disciplines, make sacrifices, and purge sin from our lives. This preparation positions us to receive a fresh outpouring of His spirit, leading to life, joy, and blessing. Just as Elijah prepared the altar and called down fire from heaven, we too must be intentional in creating an environment where God's presence can dwell. By doing so, we invite His transformative power into our lives, allowing us to experience the fullness of His presence and purpose. [40:26]
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV): "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to prepare for a fresh move of God in your life, creating space for His presence and power to work within you?
Quotes
Then Elijah said to all the people, come near to me. So all the people came near to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took 12 stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, Israel shall be your name. [00:02:26] (18 seconds)
Today, I want to talk to you about renewing and rekindling your relationship with God, the fire of God in your life, about rebuilding the altar of worship in your life so that you can flourish and prosper and maintain your intimacy with God. So many times, it's easy for us to get so caught up in all the things that are going on, the immediate challenges or the difficulties or just the terrible things that we go through, right? [00:06:44] (23 seconds)
We really need a move of God if we're honest though, because if we don't get the fire of God, then we are just going to go through the motions and go through the routines and we're just going to do what we do, but we're not going to have any joy. We're not going to have any peace. We're not going to have any passion. And it's just going to be like a maintenance job. [00:09:34] (19 seconds)
If we don't tend to the fire, God is not just going to randomly send fire from heaven down on us. Right? I mean, you ever say, oh, I want a sovereign move from God. I want God to just pour out revival. Has God ever done it that way? Read your Bible. There's always been someone preparing. There's always been someone praying. There's always been someone positioning themselves so that the fire would fall on them. [00:11:01] (22 seconds)
And it was, it would not be a stretch for them, for us to say, they probably were blaming God. And they probably thought God was mad at them and probably thought that God had forsaken them. And they could have used that as a reason to reject God and, and decide to follow other gods and do things in their own strength, because what's the point. But you know what? The purpose of that drought was to get their attention. [00:18:08] (23 seconds)
similarly we need to put to death the things that destroy our lives and hinder us now listen let's not take the literal approach i don't want you killing your husband i don't want you killing a person i don't want you going to your job and saying i quit but you understand what i'm saying right we need to deal with sin it's in the words of john owen i love it he says be killing sin or sin will be killing you right [00:35:34] (24 seconds)
We have to keep, we have to remove the things that kill fire, that extinguish it. And we have to, to keep feeding the fire with the right things. And let me tell you something. There is nothing that is going to bless your relationship with God more than holiness, more than purity. There is nothing that is going to hurt your relationship with God more than sin. [00:38:15] (20 seconds)
We need a move of God. We need the fire of God. But the question is, will we prepare ourselves for it? I want to ask you to bow your head with me and pray. And I want to invite you to ask the Lord, what is he saying to you? I don't know what God has said to you. I don't know what you need to do, but I know we all need to do something. [00:42:02] (19 seconds)
We make a decision today to repair our altars or to rebuild what's fallen apart, what's broken down, to follow the patterns of faith that we've been given, the disciplines, the spiritual practices that pull us closer to your heart. Lord, we make a decision today to give you what's precious. Now, I can't speak for every person. I don't know what that is. It could be time, could be money, could be more engagement, more service. [00:42:30] (26 seconds)
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