Fresh Fire from Heaven

17 August 2014

 

1.   Introduction

·      1 Kgs 18:36-39 “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice.”

·      The great need our nation has is for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit.

·      Move of the Holy Spirit in Kawerau – impacting schools, community and the crime rate.

·      God moving in many parts of the world in dramatic ways – need fresh fire in Hastings.

·       1 kg 18: Nation in spiritual decline, immorality, under the influence of Jezebel, drought.

·       God still looks for people He can send fresh fire upon.

 

2.      The Holy Spirit and Fire

(a)   Lk.3:16 “Jesus will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

·       John’s revelation of Jesus: (1) Lamb of God (2) Source of Fire from Heaven.

·       “Fire” = ignites, lights up, consumes – symbolic of the Holy Spirit and His work – purifies.

e.g.         Heb.12:29 - “Our God is a ‘consuming fire’.”

               Ex 13:21 -“The Lord went before them – in a ‘pillar of fire’ by might to give them light.”

               Ex. 24:17-“The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a ‘consuming fire’.”

·      The church needs to be ignited again with fresh passion – fresh fire from heaven.

(b)   There is no substitute for the presence and power of God at work.

e.g.          1 Kgs 18:26-29 No voice, no one answered, no-one paid attention.

·      Religion is powerless and empty – can only be one true God.

·      Mt Carmel = “Fruitful place” = place of confrontation and decision.

·      Empty religion

(i)            Cried aloud                    (v28) – striving to get results

(ii)           Leaped about the altar   (v26) – performance, lots of activity, no power

(iii)          Cut themselves             (v28) – superficial, shallow, no spiritual value

(iv)         Prophesied                    (v29) – empty religious words from own heart

·      The prophets of Baal and people were under the influence of power of Jezebel.

·      Religious substitute, compromise, tolerance, sexual perversion, idolatry.

 

3.    Fresh Fire falls on Altars

1 Kg.18:30-33 “He repaired the altar of the Lord.”

·         “Repair” =H7495= Rapha = to heal, to restore.

·         “Altar” = Place of sacrifice, meeting with God, shedding of blood, sacrifice (Abraham)

e.g.       Lev.9:24 Aaron           Fire fell from heaven

             1 Chron.21:26 David   Fire fell from heaven

             2 Chron.7:1 Solomon  Fire fell from heaven

             1 Kg.18:38 Elijah         Fire fell from heaven

             Acts 2:4 Pentecost      Fire fell from heaven

·         Altar      = Christ           = Cross           = Covenant     = Commitment

(central)           (work)              (intimacy)        (sacrifice – serve)

·         You must make it personal

(1 Chron.22:24 – Not offer burnt offering that cost me nothing.)