THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HOLY GHOST FIRE

May 30, 2005

Matthew 3: 11

INTRODUCTION:

1-     In our everyday living we are all in want of things that are “HOT”.

2-     Hot deals; Hot items!

3-     Hot meaning often times to be a real deal; a Hot Deal.

4-     Hot items, meaning often times to be most desired; everyone wants Hot items.

WELL FIRE IS ALSO A HOT ITEM:

1-    Fire warms us when we’re cold or chilled.

2-    Fire soothes the nerves & brings a calm just sitting by an open flame.

3-    We cook with heat from this “Hot Item”.

4-    And that food sustains life having come off the “Fire”.

5-    Fire cleanses; Fire purifies!

6-    Fire burns; We tell our children; “Don’t get too close; the Fire will burn”

7-    I could go on and on but let me slow down and help us all with the Holy Ghost Fire!

WHY DO WE NEED THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE?

1-    A good question; but one only has to look at the early church to find the answer.

2-    The church attempting to grow out of a time of persecution need this Blessing!

3-    They needed this blessing in that for the church to grow being persecuted.

THIS HOLY GHOST BAPTISM GAVE THEM TENACITY:

1-    Tenacity being a persistent spirit to accomplish the work.

2-    Do you have “TENACITY”/

3-    Tenacious as being stubborn with courage to hold firmly this truth as you tell it!

4-    Tenacity as going with “BOLDNESS”.

5-    You might be misunderstood as even becoming angry while telling it!

6-    But it takes Boldness, and the HG Fire gives that urgency to tell about it.

THIS HOLY GHOST FIRE COMES WITH POWER:

1-           A raging fire can be devastating if out of control.

2-           But the Holy Ghost doing all things decently and in order is always in control.

3-           And this Holy Ghost fire can burn within us, and cleanse us; giving us desire to stand

THIS HOLY GHOST FIRE WILL BRING A CLOSENESS AND UNITY WITHIN THE BODY:

1-    The church of the Most High God must have unity and togetherness.

2-    The work of our Lord cannot be accomplished with any lest instrumentation.

COULD THAT NOT BE THE REASON THAT HE (JESUS) BREATHED ON THEM AND THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT?

1-    The very breath of God brings new life!

2-    Do we remember that God Himself breathed on the “Valley of Dry Bones” and they did live?

3-    Did God not do that?

4-    Beloved; from Him issues all manner of life, spoken, breathed and “Forceful in element!”

IF YOU’LL REMEMBER IN EZEKIEL 47 RUNS THE RIVER OF GOD FROM UNDER THE THRESHOLD OF THE HOUSE OF GOD!

1-    But notice that this “River of God” flowed from the house of God through the Bible to the book of Revelation.

2-    And there, we’re reminded that this River has caused, brought and delivered a power!

3-    Power to the individual believer.

4-    Power to His church corporately!

5-    Power that brought life to you and me since we believed!

6-    Power to make the un-fruitful, to be fruitful again.

7-    This River of God, proceeding out from the House of God runs with force!

8-    It flows with all the elements of life; both to cause life and to deliver life;

9-    This River of the Spirit runs with force.

10-                       A force to bring the Barren, Un-fruitful people to be fruitful again.

THIS RIVER FULL OF THE SPIRIT IS STILL FLOWING TODAY;

1-     It an take the ordinary; and turn it into the extraordinary.

2-     It can take the Dry, Barren church.

3-     The Boring church; the Church in a Rut.

4-     It can make the church in need of Interruption & give it Revelation!

THIS RIVER OF THE SPIRIT IS FLOWING RIGHT NOW AND WILL UNTIL HE SAYS NO MORE!

1-    It flows for you and Your Church.

2-    It flows to you and your church.

3-    And if we’ll get full of it! It’ll flow from you and your Church! Amen?

THIS HOLY GHOST; THIS HOLY SPIRIT IS LIKENED TO WATER; OIL AND FIRE:

1-    In Ezekiel: He talks about the “FIRE OF GOD”.

2-    God word and Gods Holy Spirit are both likened to fire in the Bible.

3-    One said it was like a fire shut up within his bones.

O’BELOVED; HOW WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM; THE INFILLING!

1-    This Fire of which I now speak of, like a fire will melt the heart.

2-    It will burn up the Dross; that which is not pure!

3-    It will kindle pious and devout affection in the soul!

4-    “Could this be the missing element anymore in our churches?”

5-    When the Old Testament characters brought their sacrifices; and the Priest offered them up on the altar of fire!

6-    They literally saw the fire consuming their offerings for their many sins:

7-    So are our Spiritual sacrifices offered us!

8-    Fire is akin to the very presence of our God who is Mighty!

9-    The Fire of God will get you moving!

10-                       This Fire of God will get you motivated.

11-                       The Holy Ghost Fire will bring a great manifestation of His will into our services!

12-                       Lets Read; 1^St. Corinthians 12: 7- 11

BELOVED; WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS INVITED:

1-    Don’t let me dampen your spirit about inviting Him to come in and Baptize you in the Holy Ghost!

2-    Oftentimes we get carried away with what you have to do; the requirements you must meet;

3-    The criteria for receiving the Holy Ghost!

4-    He the Holy Ghost will tell each of us as individuals what we must do.

5-    Your criteria may not be mine and mine might not be yours; we have different needs!

BUT THE ONE THING THAT IS NEEDED TO LIVE AN ABUNDANT LIFE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT;

1-    And most of our churches aren’t utilizing it!

2-    The Holy Ghost is power to witness!

3-    He empowers us to hear the voice of God!

4-    He gives us power, (strength) to have a heart like God’s heart and to Love like God Loves!

5-    He gives us power and strength to be Holy!

6-    Power to anticipate the future.

7-    He gives power and stamina to Pray.

BELOVED; WHEN HE THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT IN “POWER”!

1-    Worship becomes “EXCITING”!

2-    And God will use us in spite of our talents.

3-    When He is present in Power; lives will be changed.

4-    Heats are touched!

5-    Numerical growth will come; and God will add to His church daily such as should be saved!

6-    And more importantly; “SPIRITUAL” growth will occur!

7-    Does any of the above sound like something you would like to have?

LET ME GIVE US SOME STEPS TO BEING BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT:

1-    First; be saved; know for sure beyond any doubt that you’re saved; forgiven of your sins.

2-    Do not leave one stone un-turned in your life; give it all to Jesus for cleansing!

3-    Be obedient! Whatever He says to you; do it!

4-    One must want so much this blessing; that nothing is worth holding onto!

5-    And one must have a desire to be Baptized in the Holy Ghost!

6-    Then, the one that hungers and thirsts for God’s blessings (righteousness, etc.) shall be filled! Amen?

7-    Then, one must ask the Master for it in order to receive it!

HAVE FAITH TO RECEIVE IT:

1- Just as you receive anything else from the Lord; we must believe it; Have Faith and Receive it!

AND WHEN THE BLESSING COMES; DRINK TO THE RUNNING OVER!

1-    Be willing to get under the spout where the glory comes out!

2-    And be filled with the “Holy Ghost”!

AND EXPECT TO DO MIRACLES FOR GOD:

1-       The Fire will come down; as we YIELD ourselves as vessels to be filled!

2-       And you’ll never cease to ENJOY Him!