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.)