Fire Power—Keep The Fire Burning
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 03/03/2019
Foundation Scriptures:
I am calling up memories of your sincere and unqualified faith (the leaning of your entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), [a faith] that first lived permanently in [the heart of] your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am [fully] persuaded, [dwells] in you also. 6 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 8 Do not blush or be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:5-8 AMPC
1. Inner Fire.
a. Stir up, rekindle the flame, fan the flame and keep burning.
b. If you make a natural fire, you need kindling and dry wood to get it started.
c. Then it needs to be fanned and protected to keep it burning.
d. Periodically, if it starts getting too low, it will need to be rekindled.
e. We have an inner fire, lit by the Holy Spirit.
f. This fire helps in purifying you and making you a vessel unto honor, fit for the Master’s use.
g. 2 Timothy 2:20-26 KJV — But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
h. We need the fire.
i. The same fire that purges us, protects us and empowers us for service.
j. Fire now—or fire later—it’s your choice.
k. The fire of God or fire at the Judgment Seat—hell fire.
2. My Testimony.
a. Luke 3:16 KJV — John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
b. Born again at the age of five. Baptized in the Holy Ghost at eight.
c. My eldest brother died in 1978.
d. July 1979—I got desperate, hungry and thirsty for a touch from God.
e. God, I want Your fire.
f. The fire of God fell on me in 1979 and, by the grace of God, has carried me for almost 40 years.
3. Jesus Was Baptized in the Holy Ghost.
a. Matthew 3:13-17 KJV — Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
b. John 3:34 AMPC — For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God’s own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!
c. Acts 10:38 KJV — How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
4. Paul Received, and Was Baptized in, the Holy Ghost.
a. Acts 9:1-22
5. Moses Had a Burning Bush Experience.
a. Acts 7:20-34
6. All the Disciples Were Filled, Along with Mary.
a. Acts 2:1-4
7. Cornelius, and His Household, Were Filled.
a. Acts 10:1-44
8. Certain Disciples.
a. Acts 19:1-7
9. The Choice is Yours.
a. God will never force Himself on you.
b. Be hungry.
c. Be thirsty.
d. Be open to receive—yield.