Don't Let the Fire Go Out
Leviticus 6
Leviticus 6:9, (NIV)
Give Aaron and his sons this command: 'These are the regulations for the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar.
Leviticus 6:12-13 (NIV)
The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.
1st The fire needed to be kept burning because the burnt offering symbolized total devotion
Romans 12:11, (NIV)
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:11, (MSG)
Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master,
2nd The fire needed to be kept burning because the fire was started by God
Leviticus 9:23-24, (NIV)
Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they
blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people.
Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering
and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they
shouted for joy and fell facedown.
Exodus 27:21, (NIV)
In the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.
1. Consecrate our hearts
Joshua 3:5, (NIV)
Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."
Hebrews 12:1, (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Psalm 27:4, (NIV)
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:8, (NLT)
My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."
2. Cultivate a breathless awe of what God is doing
3. Cry out for God to fulfill that prophetic word
1 Timothy 1:18, (NIV)
Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,
4. Continue to grow in your faith
Numbers 14:11, (NIV)
The LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?”
John 14:12-14, (NLT)
"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
5. Commit to seeking God for a fresh baptism in the Holy Spirit
{note}
Matthew 3:11, (NLT)
"I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Acts 2:1-4, (NLT)
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
Ephesians 5:18, (NIV)
Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
