Fire Works!
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin Overfield
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001
Fire Works!
The idea for this note came from my present pastor, Brother Steve
Snodgrass. Therefore, I dedicate it to him.
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after
me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize
you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" (Matthew 3:10)
"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat
upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began
to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:3,
4)
Normally, at this time of year we would expect each of the words FIRE
and WORKS to be used together as nouns referring to things that go bang
and light up the night sky; but, I would like us to consider the word FIRE
as
that which Biblically refers to the reality of God's presence and holiness
in the heart and life of one who trusts in Him, and also the word WORKS
as a verb applying to the fact that the fire of God really works -- really
accomplishes what God intends for it to accomplish.
When Abraham placed the pieces of his offering upon the altar in proper
order and fought off the birds of prey, God sent fire passing between the
pieces and assured Abraham that his offering was accepted. (Genesis 15:17)
When Moses made that first trip up the mountain, removed his sandals,
and reluctantly received and answered the call of God, it was the
supernatural fire of the burning bush that got his attention and attracted
his heart. (Exodus 3:2-5)
When the Israelites seemed trapped beyond hope between the mountains
on either side, the Red Sea before them, and the fearsome Egyptian army
behind them, God's pillar of cloud and of fire protected them. (Exodus 14)
When Solomon completed the magnificent house of God, the temple,
and dedicated it with prayer, the fire of God fell upon the altar and His
glory filled the house. (II Chronicles 7:1)
After the prophets of Baal wore themselves out trying to produce fire
for their sacrifice through vain prayers and self-mutilation, Elijah prayed
a brief prayer to the Lord God of Heaven, and God sent such miraculous
fire that the people were compelled to acknowledge, "The Lord" (Jehovah),
"He is the God." (I Kings 18)
Then, when Jesus gave the promise of the Father on the Day of Pentecost,
the gift of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit), the disciples not only had
"tongues
like as of fire" appear upon them OUTWARDLY, but they were also "filled
with the Holy Ghost" INWARDLY - "baptized with the Holy Ghost and
with fire" and with fire (see Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, and Matthew 3:10).
As all of the Old Testament examples of the fire of God show us that
what God does really works, even so this example in the New Testament
shows us that He does all things well. The holy fire of God really works in
the heart and life of those who are filled with the blessed Holy Spirit.
As physical fire has certain characteristics that prove that it is
indeed real fire, so the fire of God has similar characteristics of
spiritual reality. Let us notice just a few ways that this FIRE WORKS:
I. HOLY FIRE PURIFIES
Speaking of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost,
Peter implied without a doubt that their hearts were purified (Acts 15:8,9).
If physical fire burns out the dross, how much more shall the holy fire
of God burn out the spiritual dross of inbred sin? Our God is certainly
able to cleanse us from all sin through the shedding of Christ's blood and
the mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost!
II. HOLY FIRE BURNS, or gives heat
This gives us two facts:
1. The one who possesses this fire will KNOW it -- assurance, or the
witness of the Spirit.
2. The one who possesses this fire will SHOW it -- by loving others with
God's love.
II. A. HOLY FIRE BURNS -- THE KNOWING
"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?"
(Proverbs 6:7)
I know that this verse refers to the effects of sin upon the adulterous
man, but the fact still remains that the presence of fire will be felt or
known. Just as one should expect to be burned if he plays with fire, even
so one should expect to have experimental knowledge of the reality of the
presence of holy fire in his bosom.
The one who is baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire will know
that the fire has fallen upon the altar of his heart.
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us..." (Hebrews 10:14, 15)
II. B. HOLY FIRE BURNS -- THE SHOWING
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad
in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love..." (Galatians 5:22)
The great proof of holy fire is the perfection of the love of God in the
heart of the one who has it. This holy fire of God WILL give forth the heat
of love, and those around it will feel its effects. The man, woman, or
child
who is full of the fire of God's perfect love will truly love everybody and
will
prove that love by doing only good to the bodies and souls of mankind.
III. HOLY FIRE ENLIGHTENS
"the shining of a flaming fire by night" (Isaiah 4:5)
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, would guide us
into all truth and would show the things of Christ to us. This holy fire
given by the presence of the Holy Spirit gives us a better understanding of
the Word of God, which is a "lamp unto" our "feet and a light unto" our
"path". He will reveal truth and remind us of that which has already been
revealed to us. (John 16:13-15, 17:17; Psalm 115:105)
IV. HOLY FIRE EMPOWERS
As fire has so often and so continually powered multitudes of engines in
this world, so the holy fire of God does empower the believer to live a holy
life and do mighty exploits through the name of Christ and for His glory.
Jesus commanded, "Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with
power from on high." (Luke 24:49) Jesus promised, "But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses
unto me..." (Acts 1:8).
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye
may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)
V. HOLY FIRE ATTRACTS
All one needs to do to attract a crowd of people is to have a big fire.
One Wednesday night we had difficulty getting the church service started.
The reason was that there was a fire just around the corner and a few doors
down. Perhaps we did not have enough holy fire in the church at that time
to compete.
I well remember some dear old saints who had the glory of God's fire
upon their souls. When they would pray, shout, preach, sing, and testify,
I would say within myself, "I want the real thing just like those people
have
it!"
Dear people, if we would be sure that we have received the mighty
baptism of the Holy Ghost and with fire, there would definitely be a
supernatural
attractiveness to our religion, our church, our person - ultimately to
Christ, Who
alone can save and do for others what He has done for us.
I trust you are enjoying the fire that really works!
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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