THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Our text taken from Matthew  3:11-12   In verse 11 says, “He will baptized you with Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Selwyn Hughes that wrote “Everyday with Jesus” booklet taught the emblems of the Holy
Spirit.  He wrote:-

1.      The dove speaks of the beauty and gentleness of the Spirit’s character.

2.      The oil is suggestive of the Spirit’s consecrating grace and guidance in qualifying us to minister in divine things.

3.      Water symbolizes the Spirit’s effectiveness and sufficiency.

4.      Fire is an emblem of the purification and penetration of the Spirit’s operation.

5.      Rain designates the abundance and grace of the Spirits supply

6.      The Deposit (earnest) is the pledge and guarantee that what we receive here will be multiplied a million times in eternity.

7.      Breath symbolizes the constant and consistent ministry of the Spirit whereby He supports and upholds the believer every minute and hour daily.

To see the Holy Spirit in terms of emblems is not enough.  We must know Him not merely know about Him.  How well do we know the Holy Spirit?

In 2 Corinthians 13:14 ends with this benediction – The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God (Father’s love) and the Communion of the Holy Spirit.

Grace means ‘favor’ with no expectations of reward or payment.  Grace in Greek means “ultimate in beauty”.  God’s grace ultimately makes us beautiful as His Bride for Jesus.

A.      Communion of the Holy Spirit

Communion means “communicating with or travelling together, transporting with”  Likewise, the Holy Spirit is for “communication” and “communion”, also constant fellowship and travelling together is necessary for a believer.

In Romans 8:26and Jude 20 we see the Holy Spirit in Prayer Communion.  Without the Holy Spirit there’s no spiritual life.  Why many Christians settle for mere outward formalities of religion, dry worship ceremonies and church is only a place for social fellowship or even a club house. The Church should be a House of Prayer (communion)

The second meaning of “communion” is “to do business in partnership” and “to participate in.”  The Holy Spirit works together as partners for the same purpose and to share the joy, sorrow, victory and trials in our lives. The bible says, He sympathizes with us.

In Acts 15:28 the Holy Spirit is the director or manager referring to Him first in any missions.  He is the senior partner like business partner.  His purpose is to bless the business.  Our business is to share the gospel and it’s the Holy Spirit our partner blesses it.

B.      Fire an emblem of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11)

When we come in contact with Christ and the Person of the Holy Spirit we come in contact with fire.  Fire also symbolizes zeal, purifying, molding and cleansing.  We have the nature of the sun above us and spiritually divine fire blazes above us, beneath us and all around us. In Hebrews 12:29 tells us that God is a consuming fire.

1.      Fire Consumes – Isaiah 4:1-6

Once you invite the Holy Spirit comes into your life you must expect fire to come and burn your whole being – Penetrating any moral rottenness, cleaning all sinful desires,  burning the imagination clean.  Isaiah describes as ‘spirit of fire’ and it deals with dross of pride, rags of self- righteousness and roots of bitterness.  (see Matthew 13:40-42)

You are saying “Spirit come and burn me with your fire to my whole being – have your own way.   Go on burning until there’s nothing left to consume”.

2.      Fire Softens or Melts – Psalms 68:1-2

Wax can be written on but bring it near the fire it melts all.  Likewise, when we come close to the fire of God He melts all our rebellious nature – words of iniquity or any sinful inscriptions will disappear.  In the Welsh/Wales Revival “the fire fell upon them” and people hard hearts were wonderfully softened. The God of fire and His Words can burn inside a person and melt their hearts.  Hebrew 4:12 says, “The Word of God is living and active sharper than any double edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit … it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

3.      Fire Get Things Moving – Acts 1:8

A secretary once said, “we have everything you would expect a church to have, except the fire”.  Sometimes churches have everything – offices, staffs, computers, finances except the Holy Ghost fire and grace. 

  Isaiah 32:15 tells us “till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high and the desert becomes a fertile field and the fertile field seems like a forest vs 16 Justice will  dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field.  The fruit of righteousness will be peace (blessings) and the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence (faith) forever. Until the Spirit of God is poured down upon us blessings would not flow down.

Unless the Holy Spirit works in our lives there is no real progress.  It takes the fire to get things going and our fire must not be allowed to go out. Jesus says you are the light of the world and let your light so shine before men to see your good works in order to glorify your Father in heaven.  Fire attracts attention it’s like house or building on fire.

4.      Fire Aspires – Isaiah 43:21

Fire natural desire is to aspire upwards and reach its arms to the sky. The more the fire burns within us the more our hearts will be lifted up in praise to God. The more fire of God consumes us the more we are drawn towards heaven.

Worship is like that – our worship must have fire (pray in the Holy Spirit - Jude 2) Every altar in the Old Testament must have fire and an offering to bring. Sometimes it is better that fire comes down from heaven like Elijah did. The fire of God consumes all his sacrifices inclusive of the water he poured into. 

5.      Holy Fire Releases Zeal – Leviticus 9:23

The fire is from God and it consumed the altar of burnt offerings and fats.  It was no ordinary fire.  It was from God and it was holy.  The fire of God then begins to burn in our hearts and we will have the zeal to serve Him.  This fire must not die down.  Fire speaks of zeal.  The zeal of the Lord must consume us.  Strange fire was offered to the Lord by Nadab and Abihu but instead fire came and devoured them and they both died. The zeal must come from God not human zeal.  Human zeal never lasts.

New American Standard Bible
For zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.  - Psalms 69:9  

New International Version (©1984) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. - Romans 12:11 International Standard Version (©2008) Never be lazy in showing such devotion. Be on fire with the Spirit. Serve the Lord. PRAYER: “ O! God everything about the Trinity speaks of fire.  The Father is a consuming fire. The Son Jesus came to baptized us with fire and Your Spirit is the Spirit of fire.   So Lord set us on fire that the world will see we are burning for You.  We want to be burned with holy fire from above. The Zeal of the Lord will build Your Kingdom and Your church.  Amen.