God is revealed as a consuming fire in Hebrew 12:29. We read about various encounters with God that involve fire. Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3. Moses again on the mountain that blazed with fire - Deuteronomy 4. God led the Israelites with fire by night - Exodus 13.
John the Baptist shows up introducing another level of experiencing the fire of God.
Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. NIV
Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. NIV
There is a fiery encounter God desires for us to have with him. After Jesus was raised from the dead, He has a conversation with two disciples and they say,
Luke 24:32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while (Jesus) talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” NIV
John Wesley had thousands of people coming to hear him preach. When asked, “Why do so many people come to hear you?” he replied, “I set myself on fire and they come to watch me burn.”
It is God’s will for us to carry this fire of God in such a way that it draws people into the presence of God around us. Let’s explore and pursue the fire of God. God says, “Don’t let my fire go out. Stir it morning and evening.” Leviticus 6
When I got saved, I was fired up! I got saved in a Baptist church and was filled with the Holy Spirit in a small group setting not long after getting saved. I’d been dead, but was suddenly alive! Truly alive! I’d be praising God during church exuberantly, speaking in tongues and worshiping so passionately it was a little overwhelming to a few people around me. Some people were so happy to see the two-tone mullet Christian convert I was. Others weren’t so sure.
This is where I started to learn how important it is in the body of Christ that we learn to have distinction without having to have division. If we walked through our congregational family awarding people $1 million some people would be exuberantly overjoyed. Others would sit and weep. We all respond differently.
However you respond let’s all agree that the Holy Spirit is calling us all to have hearts that burn as we experience His presence. It is God’s will that you be saved. It is also God’s will that you be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:2 (Paul) asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” NIV
Vs 6 - the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
I want you to know the gifts of the spirit are for every believer to experience.
Explore the Scripture to discover these truths. Don’t just rely on what you’ve been told or what you’ve felt about these issues in times past. Read the destinyokc.com/blog. There are messages available for you to watch for more teaching on this important topic at destinyokc.com/holyspirit. We also will begin an open Wednesday evening class on the Holy Spirit starting Wednesday, June 24th that will go through July.
Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. NIV
I want generations of my legacy, natural and spiritual, to carry the fire God desires for us to possess.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Pray daily for the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct you very specifically to make a difference in someone’s day. Do this every day this week.
Discussion Guide for Community Leaders
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
Holy Spirit Fire
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
2. Did you grow up in a church that taught about the Holy Spirit? Before this past Sunday, what had you been taught about the Holy Spirit?
3. What are 3 things you knew to be true about the Holy Spirit before Sunday’s message?
When it comes to the Holy Spirit we all have experiential conclusions, doctrinal conclusions and theological conclusion. The big question we must all ask is simply, “Are my conclusions Biblical?”
John 14:16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. NIV
• The Holy Spirit is a helper who comes alongside us to guide us in our Christian walk.
Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. NIV
After Jesus is raised from the dead He’s having a conversation with two disciples and they say...
Luke 24:32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while (Jesus) talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” NIV
Acts 19:2 (Paul) asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” NIV
• Vs 6 - the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
The Holy Spirit and the gifts of the spirit are simply part of the conversation God is having with our world. These gifts are for every believer in every generation to experience.
Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. NIV
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
4. Share a time when you felt like God gave you guidance or direction by his Spirit in your life.
5. How do can you more effectively cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit in your daily life this next week?
Make time this week to read your Bible. Purpose to listen as you read inviting the Holy Spirit to help you understand more of what God desires to teach you about your relationship with Him.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Pray daily for the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct you very specifically to make a difference in someone’s day. Do this every day this week.