TOPIC:“Four Flames of Fire”
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled” (12:49, NIV).
The subject of fire has a prominent place in the Word of God. The word itself is used close to five hundred times describing various situations in which Deity is at work. And in almost every case some attribute of God is clearly set forth. Listen to a few of those occasions. In Genesis 19:24 we have the fire of God's punishment on Sodom and Gomorrah. In Exodus 3:2 we have the fire of God's presence in the burning bush. In Isaiah 1:25 we have the fire of God's purging of all our impurities. In Acts 2:3 we have the fire of God's power in the coming of the Holy Spirit. In I Corinthians 3:13 we have the fire of God's proof regarding our tested works. In I Peter 1:7, we have the fire of God's purifying of our faith. In Revelation 21:15 we have the fire of God's penalty inflicted upon the unbeliever. There we have God's fire doing its work in several important areas.
Here in our text we have the dramatic words of Jesus where He states that He has come to cast His holy, heavenly fire on the earth. Now we know that fire does two things: it destroys the temporary and it refines the durable. It is my purpose in this message for us to learn more about four different fires mentioned in the Word of God.
Consider, first of all, the fire that DEVASTATES. This uncontrollable fire is described for us in Paul's words to Titus in chapter 3 verse 3: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.” These passions are like a fire gone wild. They cannot be contained! Think how this destructive fire has revealed itself in the lifestyle of many people.
It is revealed in the area of UNDISCIPLINED APPETITES. We are living at a time when millions of people are living for instant gratification and sensual pleasure. These uncontrollable cravings are being expressed in sex, liquor, drugs and pornography. These fatal flames of fire destroy thousands of lives every day. The Apostle Paul describes this ravaging fire raging within the lives of many people . . .