THE FIRE OF GOD
Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel, March 9, 2023
Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire."
INTRODUCTION
"The fire of God" is a biblical metaphor used to describe the power and presence of God. It shows that he is good at cleaning and refining things and that he can eat and destroy everything bad.
This phrase comes from the Bible and is often used to talk about God's judgment or cleansing. It is used to describe the power and intensity of God's presence and actions. "The fire of God" is a biblical reference to the divine presence and power that can consume and purify. It is often associated with intense passion, zeal, and conviction in one's faith or mission.
We should know that in order to understand the concept of God's fire, we must do certain things:
A. LOVING AND JUST
Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire."
We must know that God is loving and just.
This verse talks about how powerful and holy God is since he can both destroy and clean. It serves as a reminder to approach God with reverence and awe. This verse is a reminder of the power and holiness of God, who is both loving and just. It encourages us to approach Him, knowing that He is worthy of our worship and obedience.
Psalm 104:4 "He makes his messengers winds, and his ministers a flaming fire." This verse emphasizes the sovereignty of God and His ability to use any means necessary to accomplish His will. It also highlights the importance of humility and reverence in our approach to Him. This verse highlights the sovereignty of God over nature and the spiritual realm, as He uses wind and fire to accomplish His purposes. It also implies that His Spirit gives those who serve Him the ability to carry out His will.
Amos 1:10 "So I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre, and it shall devour her strongholds."
This shows that fire is a sign of God's power and judgment and how important it is to do what God wants. It serves as a warning to those who do not follow His ways.
This verse from the book of Amos also uses fire as a metaphor for God's power and judgment. It shows how important God's actions are in shaping human history.
B. GOD'S PRESENCE
It is a significant moment in the Bible as it marks the beginning of Moses' journey to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and towards the Promised Land. The burning bush is a sign that God called Moses and that he was there to lead his people. It is also a sign of hope and renewal because God showed himself to Moses through the burning bush. This shows that the Israelites would eventually be freed from slavery in Egypt.
It also reminds us that God can use ordinary things to do extraordinary things. It also serves as a reminder that God can reveal himself in unexpected ways and that we should always be open to his presence in our lives. " It also symbolizes hope and resilience, as the bush continues to burn without being consumed, just as the Israelites continue to persevere through their struggles."
God's presence in the bush on fire was a sign of his divine power and authority, which Moses understood and accepted.
This encounter between God and Moses sets the stage for the rest of the Exodus story, as God empowers Moses to perform miracles and lead his people out of bondage. God's presence in the burning bush shows how powerful and holy He is since Moses was told to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground. This conversation with God also shows how important it is to follow God's plans and have faith.
Exodus 3:2 "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush." He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed."
This part of Exodus shows how powerful and present God is. He can show up in different ways to talk to His people. The burning bush that did not burn up serves as further proof that God is not subject to natural laws.
This part of Exodus is a powerful example of how God can show His servants who He is and give them the power to do what He wants them to do. It shows that even the most ordinary objects, like a bush, can become a vessel for God's glory and power.
We must comprehend that God's presence, along with his fire, indicates that he is not subject to any laws of nature like humans are. Also, this story shows how important obedience and trust in God's plan are, since Moses at first did not think he could do what God told him to do, but he did it anyway out of faith. This story in Exodus reminds us that God's power and presence can show up in ways we do not expect and that we should always be ready to see His glory in our lives. It also highlights the importance of trusting in God's plan, even when it seems impossible or goes against what we think is logical.
C. STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE
1 Corinthians 3:13 Each person's work will become apparent because the day will make it clear through the fire, which will also test the quality of each person's work.
This verse tells us to do our best in everything we do, knowing that our work will be tested and shown in the end. It reminds us to put forth our best effort and trust in God's plan for our lives.
This verse shows how important it is to do our best work because it will be tested and proven in the end. It makes us want to do our best and work hard because we know that our hard work will pay off in the end.
This verse emphasizes the importance of doing good work and living a righteous life, as they will be revealed and tested on the Day of Judgment. Given that God will ultimately judge our actions, it serves as a reminder to strive for excellence in everything we do.
1 Kings 18:38 "Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."
This verse talks about a miracle that happened when the prophet Elijah asked God to show the people how powerful He was. It is a powerful reminder that God can do miracles and get involved in our lives.
It shows that people who live righteously and do what God says will be rewarded. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and obedience in our relationship with God.
It's a powerful example of how God can do amazing things and shows how important it is to have faith in His plan.
D. THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH
1 Peter 1:7 "So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
This verse shows how important it is to have faith in God, even when things are hard because it will lead to eternal honor and rewards when Jesus Christ is revealed. It emphasizes the enduring nature of faith, which is more valuable than any earthly possession.
This verse shows how important it is to put our faith to the test and stick through hard times because they help us grow closer to God and lead us to praise and honor in the presence of Jesus Christ. It stresses that faith is more important than things since real faith is more valuable than gold that will wear away.
Acts 2:3 "And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them."
This story is in the New Testament. It is about when the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles at Pentecost and gave them the ability to speak in different languages so they could spread the gospel to people from all over the world.
It is a powerful symbol of God's presence and guidance in our lives.
It talks about when the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles in the form of tongues of fire, giving them the power to tell people from all over the world about the gospel. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and how it can lead to miraculous experiences.
Deuteronomy 4:24 "For the Lord, your God, is a consuming fire, a jealous God." This verse from Deuteronomy emphasizes the power and intensity of God's presence, which is also reflected in the Holy Spirit's descent on the apostles. It highlights the importance of having a reverent and faithful relationship with God.
It also highlights the need for reverence and devotion to God, as He is a jealous God who demands our full attention and loyalty.
CONCLUSION
Hebrews 1:7 "Of the angels," he says, "he makes his angels winds and his ministers a flame of fire." Therefore, we should not worship or idolize any other gods or beings besides Him.
We must remain faithful and obedient to God's commands, as He is the only one who can grant us eternal salvation.
So, we should try to serve God with all our hearts and minds and honor Him above all else, because He is the Almighty Creator and deserves our highest respect and devotion. Therefore, we should always remember to put God first in our lives and serve Him with all our hearts, as even the angels are subject to His authority.
We should also strive to live a life that reflects our love and devotion to God by following His teachings and living a righteous and moral life, as this is the true path to eternal happiness and fulfillment. In doing so, we can inspire others to seek God's love and grace in their own lives. Let us strive to be like the ministers of fire, burning with passion for God and fulfilling His will on earth.
