Epistle for November 2, 2007

#1 · November 2, 2007, 12:20 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on November 2, 2007, 12:20 pm
Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President
FreeWay Foundation November 2, 2007

When Fire Falls From Heaven
(Leviticus 9:24; I Chronicles 21:26; II Chronicles 7:1; I Kings 18:38)
Dr. Curt Scarborough - June 1995

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin conducted a very dangerous experiment.
He made
a silk kite, fastened a piece of wire near its top, attached a long string
to the kite, and
tied an iron key to the free end of the string. He sent the kite up into a
heavy
thunderstorm and watched the loose ends of the string stiffen as lightning
flashed.
He put his hand near the key and instantly felt a shock as a spark traveled
from the
key to his finger.
Dangerous? Scientists have found that one stroke of lightening
measures more
than 15 million volts. In the U.S. alone, lightning kills one person and
injures four others
every day. And, it's not true that lightning never strikes in the same
place twice.
Lightning strikes the Empire State Building 30 to 48 times a year.
The Bible speaks a number of times about fire falling from heaven.
Only four
times, however, does God's fire fall on man's sacrifices. Let's examine
those occasions
to discover what they signify, remembering that Paul says Old Testament
writings are
for our learning . . . examples for our admonition and instruction.
(Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11)
I. Fire Fell on Aaron's Sacrifice
(Leviticus 9:24)
Here Aaron and his sons have just been set apart for service in the
priestly
worship. They have carefully followed God's instructions for preparing
themselves
and the sacrifice.
"Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came
down from
offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And
Moses and Aaron
went into the Tabernacle of meeting and came out and blessed the people.
Then the
glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before
the Lord and
consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people
saw it, they
shouted and fell on their faces." (Leviticus 9:22-24)
The purpose of the first "Falling Fire" was to exhibit God's glory
upon the
presentation of an acceptable sacrificial offering.
God's glory will be exhibited in us when we come to know the
efficacy of Christ's
atonement (Hebrews 9:13, 14; 10:12-14), and present ourselves as acceptable
sacrifices
(Romans 12:2). In Matthew 23:19, Jesus reminds us the altar sanctifies the
gift. In New
Testament terms, the cross is the altar where the sacrifice is offered . . .
we are to be
"crucified with Christ," Galatians 2:20.
You may recall the hymn, "Is your all on the altar of sacrifice
laid? Your heart
does the Spirit control? You can only be blest, and have peace and sweet
rest: As
you yield Him your body and soul."
II. Fire Fell On David's Sacrifice
(I Chronicles 21:26)
This passage speaks of David's second major sin. Apparently out of
pride or
to demonstrate his own military strength, he conducted a census. A prophet
of God
confronted him about his sin and pronounced judgment.
Gad, the seer, gave David a choice of punishments: three years of
famine,
three months of defeat in warfare, or three days of plague. David chose the
3-day
penalty.
In repentance and confession, David asked God for mercy on the
people
perishing because of his sin. He bought a place, erected an altar, offered
a sacrifice,
and called on the Lord. God answered from heaven with fire on the burnt
offering
and withdrew his death angel and the plague ceased.
The second "Falling Fire" was to signify God's mercy; an end to
punishment;
forgiveness; and restoration. God's mercy (forgiveness and restoration)
will be
operative in us when we truly repent of our willful sin against God. See I
John 1:7, 9;
Acts 2:38; 3:19; 19:4.
III. Fire Fell on Solomon's Sacrifice
(II Chronicles 7:1)
In the early chapters of II Chronicles, we read of Solomon's
construction of the
Temple. The building is furnished, the Ark of the Covenant is brought into
the Temple,
and King Solomon offers a dedicatory prayer.
"When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and
consumed
the offering and sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple."
All the people
bowed their faces to the ground and worshipped and praised the Lord saying,
"He is
good, His mercy endures forever." (II Chronicles 7:1-3)
The third "Falling Fire" was to confirm God's sovereign choice of a
place
where His presence would dwell. God's sovereign choice to confirm His
presence will
be manifested when we invite Him to fully occupy His temple . . . our body.
See
I Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19, 20; Luke 11:13, and Galatians 5:18. It is in
this same
seventh chapter of II Chronicles that we discover God's plan for revival.
IV. Fire Fell on Elijah's Sacrifice
(I Kings 18:38)
This is the dramatic account of Elijah's confrontation with the
prophets of
Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah prayed that the nation would recognize Jehovah
as
God and return to the true God. "Then the fire of God consumed the
sacrifice."
All the people saw it, fell on their faces, and said, "The Lord, He is God!"

(II Chronicles 18:36-39)
The fourth "Falling Fire" demonstrated God's power and superiority
over
false gods.
God's power will be demonstrated in us when we boldly take our stand

against the enemy, Satan. (Ephesians 6:10-18; Revelation 12:10, 11; and
Acts 4:29-31)
Pastor, do you desire the fire of God to fall upon you and your
congregation?
Then meditate on these Old Testament examples, allow God's Spirit to
illuminate
the eyes of your understanding, Ephesians 1:18.
Like Aaron, present! Like David, repent!
Like Solomon, invite! Like Elijah, fight!

A Sermon Idea . . .

AT THE CROSSROADS
(Jeremiah 6:16)
Dr. Curt Scarborough

Introduction:
Railroad Crossing: "Stop . . . Look . . . Listen"
I. STAND AND LOOK
1. Stop - "Be Still" (Psalm 46:10)
2. Take inventory: (Haggai 2:15-23)
- Where did we come from?
- Where are we now?
- Where are we going?
II. ASK AND LISTEN
1. Where are the ancient paths? (Isaiah 51:1)
- Roots: original charter, purpose (Deuteronomy 32:7)
- Goals . . . motivations . . . methods
2. Where is the good way?
- Which "ancient path" is still good?
- Is some new road better?
3. Listen for God's answer and guidance (Proverbs 2:1-11)
III. WALK AND FIND REST
1. Follow the road God chooses (Joshua 1:7)
2. Experience success (Joshua 1:14-15)
(Fulfillment, joy, peace, satisfaction, victory)
CONCLUSION:
"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take
My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and
You will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is
light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Remember: "A pat on the back is only a few
centimeters from a kick in the pants!"
-unknown

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President
FreeWay Foundation November 2, 2007

When Fire Falls From Heaven
(Leviticus 9:24; I Chronicles 21:26; II Chronicles 7:1; I Kings 18:38)
Dr. Curt Scarborough - June 1995

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin conducted a very dangerous experiment.
He made
a silk kite, fastened a piece of wire near its top, attached a long string
to the kite, and
tied an iron key to the free end of the string. He sent the kite up into a
heavy
thunderstorm and watched the loose ends of the string stiffen as lightning
flashed.
He put his hand near the key and instantly felt a shock as a spark traveled
from the
key to his finger.
Dangerous? Scientists have found that one stroke of lightening
measures more
than 15 million volts. In the U.S. alone, lightning kills one person and
injures four others
every day. And, it's not true that lightning never strikes in the same
place twice.
Lightning strikes the Empire State Building 30 to 48 times a year.
The Bible speaks a number of times about fire falling from heaven.
Only four
times, however, does God's fire fall on man's sacrifices. Let's examine
those occasions
to discover what they signify, remembering that Paul says Old Testament
writings are
for our learning . . . examples for our admonition and instruction.
(Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11)
I. Fire Fell on Aaron's Sacrifice
(Leviticus 9:24)
Here Aaron and his sons have just been set apart for service in the
priestly
worship. They have carefully followed God's instructions for preparing
themselves
and the sacrifice.
"Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came
down from
offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And
Moses and Aaron
went into the Tabernacle of meeting and came out and blessed the people.
Then the
glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before
the Lord and
consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people
saw it, they
shouted and fell on their faces." (Leviticus 9:22-24)
The purpose of the first "Falling Fire" was to exhibit God's glory
upon the
presentation of an acceptable sacrificial offering.
God's glory will be exhibited in us when we come to know the
efficacy of Christ's
atonement (Hebrews 9:13, 14; 10:12-14), and present ourselves as acceptable
sacrifices
(Romans 12:2). In Matthew 23:19, Jesus reminds us the altar sanctifies the
gift. In New
Testament terms, the cross is the altar where the sacrifice is offered . . .
we are to be
"crucified with Christ," Galatians 2:20.
You may recall the hymn, "Is your all on the altar of sacrifice
laid? Your heart
does the Spirit control? You can only be blest, and have peace and sweet
rest: As
you yield Him your body and soul."
II. Fire Fell On David's Sacrifice
(I Chronicles 21:26)
This passage speaks of David's second major sin. Apparently out of
pride or
to demonstrate his own military strength, he conducted a census. A prophet
of God
confronted him about his sin and pronounced judgment.
Gad, the seer, gave David a choice of punishments: three years of
famine,
three months of defeat in warfare, or three days of plague. David chose the
3-day
penalty.
In repentance and confession, David asked God for mercy on the
people
perishing because of his sin. He bought a place, erected an altar, offered
a sacrifice,
and called on the Lord. God answered from heaven with fire on the burnt
offering
and withdrew his death angel and the plague ceased.
The second "Falling Fire" was to signify God's mercy; an end to
punishment;
forgiveness; and restoration. God's mercy (forgiveness and restoration)
will be
operative in us when we truly repent of our willful sin against God. See I
John 1:7, 9;
Acts 2:38; 3:19; 19:4.
III. Fire Fell on Solomon's Sacrifice
(II Chronicles 7:1)
In the early chapters of II Chronicles, we read of Solomon's
construction of the
Temple. The building is furnished, the Ark of the Covenant is brought into
the Temple,
and King Solomon offers a dedicatory prayer.
"When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and
consumed
the offering and sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple."
All the people
bowed their faces to the ground and worshipped and praised the Lord saying,
"He is
good, His mercy endures forever." (II Chronicles 7:1-3)
The third "Falling Fire" was to confirm God's sovereign choice of a
place
where His presence would dwell. God's sovereign choice to confirm His
presence will
be manifested when we invite Him to fully occupy His temple . . . our body.
See
I Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19, 20; Luke 11:13, and Galatians 5:18. It is in
this same
seventh chapter of II Chronicles that we discover God's plan for revival.
IV. Fire Fell on Elijah's Sacrifice
(I Kings 18:38)
This is the dramatic account of Elijah's confrontation with the
prophets of
Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah prayed that the nation would recognize Jehovah
as
God and return to the true God. "Then the fire of God consumed the
sacrifice."
All the people saw it, fell on their faces, and said, "The Lord, He is God!"

(II Chronicles 18:36-39)
The fourth "Falling Fire" demonstrated God's power and superiority
over
false gods.
God's power will be demonstrated in us when we boldly take our stand

against the enemy, Satan. (Ephesians 6:10-18; Revelation 12:10, 11; and
Acts 4:29-31)
Pastor, do you desire the fire of God to fall upon you and your
congregation?
Then meditate on these Old Testament examples, allow God's Spirit to
illuminate
the eyes of your understanding, Ephesians 1:18.
Like Aaron, present! Like David, repent!
Like Solomon, invite! Like Elijah, fight!

A Sermon Idea . . .

AT THE CROSSROADS
(Jeremiah 6:16)
Dr. Curt Scarborough

Introduction:
Railroad Crossing: "Stop . . . Look . . . Listen"
I. STAND AND LOOK
1. Stop - "Be Still" (Psalm 46:10)
2. Take inventory: (Haggai 2:15-23)
- Where did we come from?
- Where are we now?
- Where are we going?
II. ASK AND LISTEN
1. Where are the ancient paths? (Isaiah 51:1)
- Roots: original charter, purpose (Deuteronomy 32:7)
- Goals . . . motivations . . . methods
2. Where is the good way?
- Which "ancient path" is still good?
- Is some new road better?
3. Listen for God's answer and guidance (Proverbs 2:1-11)
III. WALK AND FIND REST
1. Follow the road God chooses (Joshua 1:7)
2. Experience success (Joshua 1:14-15)
(Fulfillment, joy, peace, satisfaction, victory)
CONCLUSION:
"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take
My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and
You will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is
light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Remember: "A pat on the back is only a few
centimeters from a kick in the pants!"
-unknown