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MEETING GOD IN THE FIRE: A Church Birthed in Fire


The news in April of 2019 that Notre Dame was on fire came as quite a shock. Maybe they meant Notre Dame, the university in Indiana. Surely Notre Dame in Paris, the historic, Gothic cathedral from the 12th century, was not on fire. That Notre Dame would have fire suppression. It is too precious to risk loss in a fire. Sadly, the beautiful, iconic church caught fire due to an electrical short-circuit and, in order to preserve its original design, the attic was not equipped with firewalls or sprinkler systems. This week there is a new concern for a collapse of the remaining structure due to extreme summer heat.[1]
The visual image of a church on fire is disturbing whether it is a priceless cathedral like Notre Dame or small, neighborhood church down the street. Probably more disturbing should be a church that is NOT on fire. We want to see the Holy Spirit’s flaming power moving in our midst.
The entire church met God in the fire. On the day of Pentecost, they were covered with what appeared to be flames of fire.
-- Fred A. Hartley III Prayer on Fire

Jesus Promised It
Read Acts 1:4-8.

Jesus’s ministry on earth was ending. There was just one more instruction to give to His disciples. It was wait. Wait right there. Don’t try to go off and do ministry, yet. Wait here because help in the form of the Holy Spirit is coming. There is no need to worry about the who, what, where or when of ministry. When the Holy Spirit comes, He will reveal everything you need to know. Plus, He will provide the power that has been lacking up until now. After the Holy Spirit comes, the Good News will be shared fearlessly to everyone.  
The Good News that the disciples shared after Jesus’s ascension has been extended to us. The saving grace of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit is available to all believers. Our salvation is just the beginning. The infilling of the Holy Spirit is the Comforter that Jesus promised. The Holy Spirit guides us in a life of righteousness for our growth and His edification.
  

Questions to Discuss:


Why were the disciples instructed to wait?
How would the Holy Spirit help the disciples spread the gospel?
Why do we need the baptism of the Holy Spirit as well as baptism with water?
When has the Holy Spirit instructed you to wait?
How does the power of the Holy Spirit help us today?



A Definite Purpose
Read Acts 2:1-13.

It would have been amazing to be one of the believers in attendance on the day of Pentecost! Everyone together in one place, experiencing the power and majesty of the Holy Spirit. Imagine seeing flames of fire appear and settle of other believers, knowing that it was on you as well. Jesus’s followers from all over that part of the world were praising God in their own languages. Suddenly, everyone could understand what the other believers were saying. Amazing and perplexing!

The Power the Church Needs
Jesus knew that His believers needed the power of the Holy Spirit so they could proclaim the Good News to the world. Casual observers thought these spirit-filled believers were drunk. They had no idea of the amazing miracle that was taking place before their eyes. Our community of believers need the same infilling of power from the Holy Spirit if we are going to take the message of the Gospel to our community.

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41 ESV

Questions to Discuss:


What was the benefit of the believers meeting together and waiting?
Why do we need to meet corporately for prayer and worship?
How do we prepare during the week for corporate worship on Sunday?
What was the result of the believers receiving His power? (Acts 2:41)
What happens when we receive the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit?

 

Prayer:


Precious Holy Spirit, visit our community of believers in a new and fresh way. We want to feel the power of Your presence in our church. Anoint our pastor with Your presence as he leads us in worship each week. We want to be filled with Your new wine. Amen.  


[1] “Notre Dame Cathedral fire: Slow reconstruction and new dangers ahead,” C/net, May 29, 2019. Accessed online July 3, 2019.

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