In Part 2 of our series… we want to focus on what it looks
like to have a CHURCH ON FIRE and what it takes
to IGNITE the Church.
As I was preparing for this message Dan Shared with me that
in the early days of Faith Fellowship’s birthing, the leaders looked to Acts
2:42-47 as their baseline verse…
Acts 2:42-47(NIV)
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone
was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All
the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They
sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every
day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising
God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their
number daily those who were being saved.
Fire consumes -- burns out the sinful and unnecessary “stuff” in our lives.
Fire purifies -- makes us clean and holy before God.
Fire prepares (as in food) -- makes us tasteful and pleasant to each other.
Fire cheers -- when we are caught in the cold grip of despair and discouragement, He cheers us on to victory.
Fire softens -- the Holy Spirit softens the heart of the sinner and he repents.
Fire unites -- ( as in uniting different kinds of metals) the Holy Spirit brings unity to the people of God.
Fire empowers -- “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” (Acts 1:8).
“We fail to get up much steam in many of our endeavors because we do not have enough fire under the boilers.”
So how do we stoke the coals?
How do we ignite the fire in the church?
I. A Church On Fire Will Fast And Pray.
A. It will see the need for and the value of earnestly seeking God with the whole heart.
1 Cor. 7:5 .... that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
II. A Church On Fire Will Be Uncomfortable In The World.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
III. A Church On Fire Will Care For Souls.
A. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because He cared for their souls.
Matthew 23:37 [Living] "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones all those God sends to her! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.
IV. A Church On Fire Accomplishes Great Things For God.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
V. A Church On Fire Will Contend For All The Blessings Of God.
A. They will not be satisfied with powerless services.
B. They will not be satisfied with the “status quo”.
C. There will be an ongoing spirit of revival.
Lastly…
When the Church is stoking the coals and we are SELF IGNITING as well as BODY
IGNITING… then A FIRE starts to build and as Acts 2:47
states… “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were
being saved.”
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