1 THESSALONIANS 5:19-20

1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 “do not quench the Spirits Fire”

Fire Watch. After a fire has been put out there is a time when firefighters just hang around picking through things and keeping watch for the smallest of sparks can somehow hide and then later come to life. Even after weeks or months of no visible sign of fire a small spark can flare up into a new fire. You and I, each of us carry a spark within us which comes from the Holy Spirits presence inside of us. We might be denying its existence, or trying to put it out. We maybe are looking for it and do not see it, or we realize that it is just faint glimmer in the dark. Some may sense a fire that burns brightly and then dims. Others are actively seeking a bonfire, throwing wood on with reckless abandoned to God. Understanding what God is teaching us in this small sentence can help us build a bigger fire.

1. “DO NOT PUT OUT THE SPIRITS FIRE”

A. WHAT IS THE SPIRITS FIRE

a. MOST PEOPLE JUMP TO SIGN GIFTS (TOUNGES & PROPHICY)

b. MOST OF THE SPIRITUAL FIRES IN THE BIBLE ARE NOT T&P

c. NOAH BUILT A BOAT

d. ABRAHAM LEFT HOME TO FOLLOW A PROMISE

e. ELIJAH CONFRONTS AHAB AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL

f. MOSES CONFRONTS PHARAOH AND LEADS THE PEOPLE

g. DAVID FIGHTS GOLIATH

h. GIDEON TAKES ON THE MIDIANITES

i. DANIEL DEFIANTLY PRAYS TO THE ONE TRUE GOD

j. JOHN THE BAPTIST DRESSES WEIRD AND STARTS A NEW MOVEMENT OF REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM.

k. THE FIRE OF THE SPIRIT IS A GUIDING OR LEADING TO DO SOMETHING YOU WOULD NOT DO ON YOUR OWN.

B. DO NOT PUT IT OUT

a. BY TREATING PROPHECIES WITH ONTEMPT

2. DO NOT TREAT PROPHECIES WITH CONTEMPT

A. WHAT IS PROPHECY

a. MOST PEOPLE THINK OF FORTUNE TELLING

b. PROPHETS MOST OFTEN, REBUKED PEOPLE, TAUGHT, ENCOURAGED, LEAD PEOPLE, GIVE GUIDENCE.

B. TREAT WITH CONTEMPT

a. TO LOOK DOWN ON

b. NOT LISTEN TO

c. RIDICULE

d. DEFY IT

e. PLAY IT SAFE TAKE THE EASY WAY

f. WE TRY TO TAME THE HOLY SPIRIT TO FOLLOW US RATHER THAN LISTEN AND FOLLOW HIM.

g. TO NOT LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRITS GUIDENCE AND DIRECTIONS FOR OUR LIFE (PROPHECIES) PUTS OUT THE SPIRITS FIRE.

3. THERE IS A SPARK OR FLAME WITHEN YOU.

A. GOD WANTS TO TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE INCREDIBLE

B. A PLACE WHERE ONLY GOD CAN TAKE YOU

C. MATTHEW 12:20 HE WILL NOT SNUFF IT OUT

D. MATTHEW 5:14-16 YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

E. HAS GOD BEEN SPEAKING TO YOU?

a. MAYBE WE HAVE BEEN DISTRACETED

b. MAYBE WE ARE LOOKING FOR A BIGGER VOICE

c. WE COULD BE TO BUSY

d. THINK IT ILLOGICAL, DOESN’T MAKE SENCE

CONCLUSION: The Holy Spirit is a flame within you, even if now it is but a smoldering spark. You nurture that flame as you listen and follow the Holy Spirits leading. God wants you on fire for Jesus, Jesus wants to do some amazing things in and with your life, taking you where you would never dreamed you could.

READ GENESIS 1-10 THIS WEEK