Sermon Central
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The Word Of God As A Fire Series
Contributed by Dr. Jeremy Simpson on Mar 11, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Fifth in a Series on Bible Metaphors - Compares the Word of God to a Fire
SERIES: THE WORD OF GOD
AS A FIRE – SERMON FIVE
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.?
In the context of Scripture God is bringing a charge against the religious leaders of the ancient land of Israel.
His charge consists of several specifications.
The FIRST is that they have stolen His Word from the people.
The SECOND is that they have substituted for it a counterfeit Word
It sounds like todays Preachers --having a form of godliness without power;
Most of Today’s Preaching is all shucks and no corn.
IT’S BAD ENOUGH THAT THEY WERE PREACHING FALSEHOODS – BUT THEY WERE SAYING “THUS SAITH THE LORD”
This Type of Preaching was not only doing the people no good, but it created a very hurtful delusion in their minds:
That Delusion was: “That a man can sin and not be punished; that a man can be stubborn in his own way, rejecting the way of God, and yet have peace.”
That’s when God called upon his MAN to give them the Truth – Jeremiah said
“The Word of God is like a fire and a hammer.”
A Couple of Weeks ago we looked at the Word of God as a Hammer
Tonight I want to preach on the Word of God as a Fire
We’ve been in this series now for a few weeks
We’ve dealt with the Word of God Metaphorically
As a Light
As a Hammer
Tonight I want to look at the Word of God as Fire
I preached a message out of Malachi about the Lord
Where Malachi said “he is like a Refiner’s Fire”
But Here Jeremiah said “is not my word like as a Fire”
Of course this is no contradiction just a different application!!!
SO LET’S LOOK TONIGHT AT THE WORD OF GOD AS A FIRE
In another Passage Jeremiah said in 20:9 “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
I want to deal tonight with Fire as a TYPE OF THE WORD OF GOD
I. FIRE CONSUMES
Fire will burn any combustible matter it comes in contact with!
All one has to do is see the devastation of a house fire and the point is obvious.
This reinforces the power God’s Word possesses. The Word of God is like fire!!! It consumes!!!
De 4:24 “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”
Heb 12:29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”
THIS BOOK IS POWERFUL
THE GOD OF THIS BOOK IS POWERFUL
YOU WILL BE CONSUMED BY THIS BOOK
IN THIS WORLD OR THE NEXT???
It’s Your Choice
The Sinner will be consume by the Judgments of this book
The Saint will be consumed at the Judgment seat by this book
WE WILL BE JUDGED OUT OF THE THINGS WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK
AND OUR WORKS WILL BE TRIED BY FIRE
THE HAY WOOD AND STUBBLE OF OUR LIVES WILL BURN UP IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND THE ANGELS
You and I would do good to allow the word to purge us now and not wait for the fires later!!!
God is in control, and he will not allow lies to Continue.
He is a God of truth and he will destroy every false work someday
He will ultimately consume all lies, and along with it, the liar.
LIARS WILL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE OF FIRE
In Eternity -- All hearts will be subject to the flames of God.
His Word aims to consume and expose our hearts.
Any mistrust or doubt will be burned away.
Any selfishness or pride will be consumed.
It’s Interesting how that even the smallest spark can start a blaze.
Fire is a word that brings terror to the hearts of those living in the ranching and farming towns of the West.
A spark from the tractor exhaust or a flash of lightning or a small cigarette can start a grass fire that will literally burn for days.
This is true of us spiritually.
Small sins are just as great as the big ones in God’s eyes.
A tiny word or thought deserves the heat of God’s judgment as well.
We dare not hide behind the dream that “the other guy’s sins are worse than mine.”
