We had established that the feast of Pentecost was one of several solemn Jewish celebrations. Jesus became the Lamb of God that took away our sin on the day of Passover. But 50 days later, the Bible declares there were 120 people praying in the upper room when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Out of a simple harvest celebration, came the first fruits that would begin what is today the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Last week we learned there was a thunderous sound that filled the place where the 120 were praying. The noise was similar to that caused by a violent wind. We learned that the thunder was there to make God’s presence known to His people, to defeat His enemies and to command and perform miracles. Today we continue asking, how will it be when the Holy Spirit comes?
I. HE WILL COME WITH CONSUMING FIRE
“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” (Acts 2:3)
A. After the thunderous sound came what seemed to be fire
1. This was like a flame of fire that came inside the house
2. Later on it divided and rested upon each individual
B. The fire was not a symbol of purification or judgment
1. The believers had been forgiven of their sins, thus no need for judgment
2. The blood of Jesus had purified them already
C. In the Bible, God manifested Himself with fire
1. To establish a covenant with His people
“When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, ‘To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates - the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.’’” (Genesis 15:17-21)
a. God had called Abram and Abram had responded in faith
b. This pleased God who then demanded an offering from Abram
c. Abram complied with the offering and God was again pleased
d. God made His presence known by fire
e. God then made a covenant with Abram that he would inherit the land
i. The promise was also extended to Abram’s children
ii. It would take place even though Abram may not be able to witness it
2. To call His people for special tasks
“There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight — why the bush does not burn up.’ When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’” (Exodus 3:2-4)
a. Moses had spent 40 years in the desert
i. He must have thought he was all washed up
ii. From being a prince, he had become a shepherd
b. But God had not forgotten the calling He had given Moses
i. God literally drew him out of the waters to be His servant
c. The time came when God reminded Moses of the calling
i. God manifested His presence by fire
d. Moses responded to God’s call for a mighty task
3. To consecrate sanctuaries that had been built for His service
“When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.” (1 Kings 8:10, 11)
a. The tabernacle Moses had built in the desert
b. The temple Solomon had built in Jerusalem
1. Once the Ark of the Covenant had been placed in its rightful location, God’s presence manifested itself with fire
D. Today, the Holy Spirit wants to cause bring a consuming fire to our lives
1. To establish His faithful covenant with us
2, To call us for a special assignment
3. To consecrate us as sanctuaries for His service
E. How can we receive the fire of the Holy Spirit in our life?
1. When we are obedient like Abram
“So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, ‘I am holy; you be holy.’” (1 Peter 1:13-16 – The Message)
2. When we respond to God’s call for special tasks like Moses
“I couldn’t stop thanking God for you--every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength!” (Ephesians 1:16-19 – The Message)
3. When we consecrate our bodies as temples for His presence like Salomon did
“Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: ‘I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,’ says God. ‘Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. I’ll be a Father to you; you’ll be sons and daughters to me.’ The Word of the Master, God.” (2 Corinthians 6:15-18 – The Message)
The time has come to experience once again the baptism in the Holy Spirit in our lives. The consuming fire of His holy presence in our lives will cause us to see a renewal of God’s covenant. It will also remind us of the calling He’s made to us for special and important tasks. Finally, it will consecrate us as temples where His presence resides all the time. Call upon the Holy Spirit today and let Him embrace you in His fire.
