Fire

The Bible has many references to fire as a manifestation of God's presence.  The burning bush (Exodus 3), the smoke and fire on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19) and the fire of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) all come to mind.  In our series about altars and being altered by the true and living God, we will talk a lot about God's presence and about intentionally opening a door of space in which God can indwell us. "Lord, prepare me, to be a Sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true."

It is interesting to watch our children every Sunday morning.  As they gather before the 2nd service, they all want the 'best' job ... to bring the fire.  The term, bring the fire, was invented by one of our little guys way back there, and it has stuck in our minds.  They are honored to be the one chosen to carry the candle lighters, and are especially intense when they are lighting the candles.  I enjoy watching their faces and wonder if our adults can ever be that focused and intense when they consider the magnitude and awe of God lighting that flame in us!  It is a beautiful perk of sitting near the altar each Sunday morning.

Let's focus on one instance of fire, altars and images this morning.  In Leviticus 6:8-9, God's Word says, "The Lord said to Moses: "Give Aaron and his sons this command: 'These are the regulations for the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar."  This begs the question, "How do we keep the altar fire burning?"  Here are a few ideas:

  1. Choose following vs believing - Our society uses the word 'belief' a little too lightly.  In the Greek of the New Testament,  the idea of belief was being invested in what you believe in.  When Jesus said, "believe" Jesus meant that belief was being all in, including every sacrifice needed to "keep the fire alive."  In modern terminology, a better word would be "following."  Followers are not merely fans of Jesus (they like Him).  Followers put all their chips out there to say, "Jesus is not only the #1 option ... He is the only option."  The demons believed in Jesus.  Satan believes in Jesus.  We (Christians) follow Jesus wherever He goes (though we know "the son of man has no place to lay His head [Matthew 8:20]").  Following keeps the fire stoked!

  2.  Choose submitting vs controlling - The passage from Leviticus expresses the will of a God who actually cares about the fire.  Paul says not to "quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5)."  I quench God's Spirit when I have to be in control, orchestrating all things.  When we orchestrate, we get upset or disappointed when things don't happen our way.  When we "let go" we allow for the mystery and beauty of God's plan.  Let God bring you/me to the altar.  Let God make your heart and mind a place where His good plans come in like a welcome breath of cool air on a hot summer day.  Expect God to do things you can't even fathom!

  3.  Choose fire vs safety - Fire isn't safe.  When the fire of God's Spirit is moving and working, strange and beautiful things happen.  Fire consumes (Hebrews 12:29) ... be swept away by the fire of the Spirit.  Fire refines (Proverbs 17:3) ... allow God to purify your heart in His fire.  God invites us to the fire of His Holy Spirit so our old self and our old desires are burnt away, leaving the refinement of sanctification.

Following and submitting to fanning the flame of God's holy fire require work, effort and intention.  Aaron's sons needed to watch, work, feed and fan the fire of the Leviticus altar.  Are you feeding the fire or quenching it?  I hope to see you all on Sunday, where we will listen and be expectant for what God is doing!