9-30-03

On Sunday night, I started a message on life in the fire. Have you ever thought that God had forgotten you and your trial? I shared how that I have put things in the oven before and walked out of the room and got busy doing something else and forgot about the food in the oven until I smelled something burning and I knew it was too late. I'm sure almost everyone of you can relate to this. There have been times lately in my life that I felt I was not only going through the fire but I was living in the fire. I began to cry out to God how could I live in the fire much longer? Well, knowing God is such a blessing and as I cried out to Him, He answered me with a question that just happens to be in Isaiah 33:14 in the latter part. Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? The next two scriptures read:(15) He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly: he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; (16) He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

Now I know that the first part of the verse fourteen talk about sinners and hypocrites, but the last question just happened to be the question I ask God. How can I live in the fire? How can I endure all these tests lately. The answer was in verses fifteen and sixteen. Live right and you'll make it. The fire is for a purpose, we all know that but we don't want to accept the fire. Its hard, I admit. But there's nothing that God won't do for His righteous people. The fire is our purifier, our heart and pride melter. After I gained this understanding by reading these and other scriptures I was free from the mind battles I was having. The knowledge of God and His word will set you free. I hope that any of you who are reading this message and can relate to what I'm saying will shout Praise the Lord about now! We cannot fellowship the holiness of God and the ungodliness of the world at the same time. Separation is necessary to stand in this hour. Holiness is still right. Its an attitude of the heart toward God. There is so much hardness in peoples lives, you can see it on their face. They are the unmovable and the untouchable concerning the things of God. If it weren't for grace, we would be just like them. Hard headed and cold hearted. But the fire keeps us melted and crying after God so that we can be formed into His holy image. I see now more than ever that the Lord loves me enough to let me stay in the fire a little longer at times to get me to the point of breaking or melting before Him so that He can sanctify me for His holy Presence. We cry, Lord I want to be like you, but the only way to get there is through the fire! Rejoice friend if you are in the fire. In an act of humor I began to testify to my friends when they ask how was I doing my reply was I'm adjusting to the temperature. When it gets hot we wear lighter garments, when we're in the heat of the battle we must lay our burdens down at the feet of Jesus and let Him pour His grace upon us that we may endure. Now friend there is an everlasting fire of punishment that the sinner and hypocrites will have to endure, but we have a promise, if we stand the test of purifying refining fire, we will never have to face the Hell fire described in the Bible. Pray on and hold on God will see you through.

Tonight, we will consider some very important truths about the fire. When I refer to fire in this study, I am referring to spiritual trials or tests we go through as we serve the Lord. many do not understand that trials are necessary to prove that we are the true people of God. As humans, our nature is to avoid or deny anything that is going to rub against our will or cause us to have to submit to another's will. Trials help in this area as we pray for Gods help. The question is often ask, Why do we have to go through things? The answer is easier said than experienced but so that we can be purified and made holy as we surrender our will to the Lord. We will have to learn to accept Gods infinite wisdom in each of our lives. He truly still has everything in control.

God is holy and He wants holy fellowship with His people. The fire cleanses, purifies and refines us so that we can have this fellowship. I'm talking about a communion with Jesus Christ and the Father that this world has no idea of. The world cannot know Him, but we know Him and abide in Him as we allow Him to try us by fire.

Other scripture references concerning fire:

Numbers 31:23

1 Peter 1:3-9

1 Corinthians 3:11-17 the fire will reveal what kind of building we have

To build with durable material (gold, silver, precious stones) is to teach sound doctrine and live a life of fidelity to the truth, and will lead converts to spiritual maturity. To build with perishable material (wood, hay, stubble) is to provide inadequate or unsound teaching or to compromise the truth by demonstrating a life-style that contradicts or fails to model it. We may suffer the loss of things here on this earth but our souls will be saved.

We should glorify God in the fires Isaiah 24:15

Effects of the fire:

Cleansing, purifying, sanctifying Malachi 3:2,3

Proves genuity Deuteronomy 8:2 humbles us

Works repentance and self- examination if accepted in the right spirit.

The fire of refining will not kill us. It will only burn off fleshly attitudes if we repent and seek Gods face during the times of trials.

Isaiah 43:2 The will not burn the godly Daniel 3:27

1 Peter 1:7 That our faith may be found unto praise and glory and honour

James 1:2,3 Works patience

Isaiah

Being Proved:

Godly Response to the Fire: Rejoice, pray, repent and trust God. Keep living holy.

Psalms 17:1-3

Psalms 66:8-20

If we withstand the tests and live holy, then we will be a people ready to be used by the Master. 2 Timothy 2:21