Fire

Or they tell me of [singing and music] a Or they tell me of [singing and music] a home far beyond the skies. Oh, they tell home far beyond the skies. Oh, they tell home far beyond the skies. Oh, they tell [singing] me of a home far away. [music] Oh, they [singing] tell me of a home Oh, they [singing] tell me of a home where [music] no storm clouds rise. where [music] no storm clouds rise. where [music] no storm clouds rise. Oh, [singing] they tell me of an Oh, [singing] they tell me of an Oh, [singing] they tell me of an unclouded day. unclouded day. unclouded day. [music] [music] [music] Oh, the land of cloudless day. Oh, the land of cloudless day. Oh, the land of cloudless day. Oh, the land of an unclouded sky. Oh, the land of an unclouded sky. Oh, the land of an unclouded sky. [music] [music] [music] Oh, they tell me of [singing] a home Oh, they tell me of [singing] a home Oh, they tell me of [singing] a home where no storm clouds rise. where no storm clouds rise. where no storm clouds rise. Oh, [singing] Oh, [singing] Oh, [singing] they tell me [music] of an unclouded they tell me [music] of an unclouded they tell me [music] of an unclouded air. air. air. Oh, they tell me [singing and music] of Oh, they tell me [singing and music] of Oh, they tell me [singing and music] of a home where my friends hang. Oh, they a home where my friends hang. Oh, they a home where my friends hang. Oh, they tell me of that land far [singing] away. tell me of that land far [singing] away. tell me of that land far [singing] away. Where the tree of life in Where the tree of life in Where the tree of life in [singing] [singing] [singing] eternal blue sheds its fragrance through eternal blue sheds its fragrance through eternal blue sheds its fragrance through the [music and singing] the [music and singing] the [music and singing] unclouded day. unclouded day. unclouded day. Oh, the land of cloudless day. Oh, the land of cloudless day. Oh, the land of cloudless day. Oh, the land of an [singing and music] Oh, the land of an [singing and music] Oh, the land of an [singing and music] unclouded sky. unclouded sky. unclouded sky. Oh, they tell me of the home Oh, they tell me of the home Oh, they tell me of the home [singing and music] when those storm [singing and music] when those storm [singing and music] when those storm clouds rise. clouds rise. clouds rise. Oh, they tell me [singing] of an Oh, they tell me [singing] of an Oh, they tell me [singing] of an unclouded day. unclouded day. unclouded day. Or they tell me [singing and music] of Or they tell me [singing and music] of Or they tell me [singing and music] of the king in his beauty there. And they the king in his beauty there. And they the king in his beauty there. And they tell me that my eyes [music] shall tell me that my eyes [music] shall tell me that my eyes [music] shall behold behold behold where he [singing] sits on the throne in where he [singing] sits on the throne in where he [singing] sits on the throne in eternal grace. eternal grace. eternal grace. In that lovely land of unclouded death. In that lovely land of unclouded death. In that lovely land of unclouded death. Oh the land of cloudless day. Oh the land of cloudless day. Oh the land of cloudless day. Oh the land of an unclouded sky. [music] Oh the land of an unclouded sky. [music] Oh, they tell me [singing] of a home Oh, they tell me [singing] of a home where no storm pass through. where no storm pass through. where no storm pass through. Oh, they tell me of an unflattered day. Oh, they tell me of an unflattered day. Oh, they tell me of an unflattered day. Oh, they tell me that he smiles Oh, they tell me that he smiles Oh, they tell me that he smiles [music and singing] on his children [music and singing] on his children [music and singing] on his children there. And his smile drives their there. And his smile drives their there. And his smile drives their sorrows all away. sorrows all away. sorrows all away. And they tell me that no tears ever come And they tell me that no tears ever come And they tell me that no tears ever come again. again. again. In that lovely land of unclouded [music] In that lovely land of unclouded [music] In that lovely land of unclouded [music] air. air. air. Oh the land of cloudless street. Oh the land of cloudless street. Oh the land of cloudless street. Oh the land of [singing] an uncloudy Oh the land of [singing] an uncloudy Oh the land of [singing] an uncloudy sky. [music] sky. [music] sky. [music] Oh they tell me of [singing] a home Oh they tell me of [singing] a home Oh they tell me of [singing] a home where no stor. where no stor. where no stor. Oh, they tell me [music and singing] of Oh, they tell me [music and singing] of Oh, they tell me [music and singing] of an unplotted day. an unplotted day. an unplotted day. Oh, [music] Oh, [music] Oh, [music] the land of cloudless. the land of cloudless. the land of cloudless. Oh, the land of an unclouded sky. Oh, the land of an unclouded sky. Oh, the land of an unclouded sky. Oh, they tell me [music and singing] of Oh, they tell me [music and singing] of Oh, they tell me [music and singing] of a home where no strong clouds rise. a home where no strong clouds rise. a home where no strong clouds rise. Oh, they tell me [singing and music] of Oh, they tell me [singing and music] of Oh, they tell me [singing and music] of an God bless you this morning. Be seated. God bless you this morning. Be seated. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Like to continue our worship this Like to continue our worship this Like to continue our worship this morning by giving our tithes and morning by giving our tithes and morning by giving our tithes and offering. Our ushers will come at this offering. Our ushers will come at this offering. Our ushers will come at this time. Heavenly Father God, we love you this Heavenly Father God, we love you this morning. We just thank you again for the morning. We just thank you again for the morning. We just thank you again for the opportunity to be in your house, God. We opportunity to be in your house, God. We opportunity to be in your house, God. We just ask you to bless the offering just ask you to bless the offering just ask you to bless the offering that's been given today. Use it to that's been given today. Use it to that's been given today. Use it to further your kingdom. Lord God, bless further your kingdom. Lord God, bless further your kingdom. Lord God, bless those that have to give and those that those that have to give and those that those that have to give and those that have not. We just love you in Jesus have not. We just love you in Jesus have not. We just love you in Jesus name. name. name. [music] Praise the Lord. Well, I'm going to ask Praise the Lord. Well, I'm going to ask you to stand again and y'all going to you to stand again and y'all going to you to stand again and y'all going to help me sing one more time. I want to help me sing one more time. I want to help me sing one more time. I want to sing page 393. When we all get to sing page 393. When we all get to sing page 393. When we all get to heaven. I had heaven on my mind last heaven. I had heaven on my mind last heaven. I had heaven on my mind last Tuesday night and was so excited I Tuesday night and was so excited I Tuesday night and was so excited I forgot to take up the offering. But you forgot to take up the offering. But you forgot to take up the offering. But you know, fortunately still here. We have know, fortunately still here. We have know, fortunately still here. We have those light bills to pass and we had the those light bills to pass and we had the those light bills to pass and we had the offering. But I'm just looking forward offering. But I'm just looking forward offering. But I'm just looking forward to when we get to heaven. Praise the to when we get to heaven. Praise the to when we get to heaven. Praise the Lord. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus. [music] Sing the wondrous love of Jesus. [music] Sing his mercy and his grace Sing his mercy and his grace Sing his mercy and his grace in the manions [music] bright [singing] in the manions [music] bright [singing] in the manions [music] bright [singing] and blessed. He'll prepare for [music] and blessed. He'll prepare for [music] and blessed. He'll prepare for [music] us a place us a place us a place when we all when we all when we all get to heaven. heaven. What a day of get to heaven. heaven. What a day of get to heaven. heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be rejoicing that will be rejoicing that will be when we [music] all when we [music] all when we [music] all see Jesus. see Jesus. see Jesus. [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] We'll sing and shout the victory. While we walk the pilgrim [singing] While we walk the pilgrim [singing] pathway, clouds will [music] over spread pathway, clouds will [music] over spread pathway, clouds will [music] over spread [singing] the sky. [singing] the sky. [singing] the sky. But when traveling [music] But when traveling [music] But when traveling [music] days are over, [singing] not a shadow, days are over, [singing] not a shadow, days are over, [singing] not a shadow, not a sign, not a sign, not a sign, when we are when we are when we are gift [music] to heaven. gift [music] to heaven. gift [music] to heaven. [singing] What a day of rejoicing [singing] What a day of rejoicing [singing] What a day of rejoicing [music] that will be. [music] that will be. [music] that will be. When we all When we all When we all see Jesus, see Jesus, see Jesus, we'll shout and [singing and music] we'll shout and [singing and music] we'll shout and [singing and music] sing the victory. Let us then be true [music and singing] Let us then be true [music and singing] and faithful, trusting, serving and faithful, trusting, serving and faithful, trusting, serving every [singing and music] every [singing and music] every [singing and music] day. Just one glimpse of him in glory. day. Just one glimpse of him in glory. day. Just one glimpse of him in glory. Will [singing] the toes of God prepare Will [singing] the toes of God prepare Will [singing] the toes of God prepare when we all when we all when we all get to heaven. get to heaven. get to heaven. What a day [music] of rejoicing that What a day [music] of rejoicing that What a day [music] of rejoicing that will be will be will be when we all when we all when we all see Jesus. see Jesus. see Jesus. will [music and singing] sing and shout will [music and singing] sing and shout will [music and singing] sing and shout the victory. Home [singing and music] world to the Home [singing and music] world to the prize before us. Soon [singing] his prize before us. Soon [singing] his prize before us. Soon [singing] his beauty will be home. [music] Soon the beauty will be home. [music] Soon the beauty will be home. [music] Soon the pearly [singing] pearly [singing] pearly [singing] gates will open. We shall tread the gates will open. We shall tread the gates will open. We shall tread the streets of gold. streets of gold. streets of gold. When [music] we all When [music] we all When [music] we all get to heaven, get to heaven, get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that [music] what a day of rejoicing that [music] what a day of rejoicing that [music] will be. will be. will be. When we all When we all When we all see Jesus, [singing and music] see Jesus, [singing and music] see Jesus, [singing and music] we'll sing and shout the victory. One we'll sing and shout the victory. One we'll sing and shout the victory. One more time. more time. more time. When we all When we all When we all get to heaven, get to heaven, get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that what a day of rejoicing that what a day of rejoicing that [singing and music] will be [singing and music] will be [singing and music] will be when we all when we all when we all [music] see [singing] Jesus [music] see [singing] Jesus [music] see [singing] Jesus will sing and shout the victory. will sing and shout the victory. will sing and shout the victory. Praise the Lord. God bless you. Thank Praise the Lord. God bless you. Thank Praise the Lord. God bless you. Thank you for singing. Y'all singing good this you for singing. Y'all singing good this you for singing. Y'all singing good this morning. Praise the Lord. This time, morning. Praise the Lord. This time, morning. Praise the Lord. This time, brother Robert, come up and uh bring us brother Robert, come up and uh bring us brother Robert, come up and uh bring us what thus sayeth the Lord. Praise the Lord. Are you looking for Praise the Lord. Are you looking for that day? Though the only ones going are that day? Though the only ones going are that day? Though the only ones going are the ones that'll be looking for him. the ones that'll be looking for him. the ones that'll be looking for him. That's Bible. That's Bible. That's Bible. Now, who's looking for him? Those who Now, who's looking for him? Those who Now, who's looking for him? Those who are ready to go. Cuz see, when you're are ready to go. Cuz see, when you're are ready to go. Cuz see, when you're not ready to go and you know you know not ready to go and you know you know not ready to go and you know you know that you're not ready to go, that you're not ready to go, that you're not ready to go, then you're not looking for him. You then you're not looking for him. You then you're not looking for him. You hope he delays because you know you're hope he delays because you know you're hope he delays because you know you're not ready. So those that look for him not ready. So those that look for him not ready. So those that look for him are those that'll be ready to go. Thank are those that'll be ready to go. Thank are those that'll be ready to go. Thank you this morning. And also a thought you this morning. And also a thought you this morning. And also a thought about that. We'll all sing and shout the about that. We'll all sing and shout the about that. We'll all sing and shout the victory when we get there. But you know victory when we get there. But you know victory when we get there. But you know what? We can sing and shout the victory what? We can sing and shout the victory what? We can sing and shout the victory this morning. We don't have to wait this morning. We don't have to wait this morning. We don't have to wait until we get there. By faith, we know until we get there. By faith, we know until we get there. By faith, we know we're going, but we're we are to shout we're going, but we're we are to shout we're going, but we're we are to shout the victory and uh this morning in the victory and uh this morning in the victory and uh this morning in worship and praise the Lord. That's what worship and praise the Lord. That's what worship and praise the Lord. That's what we're here to do. Uh we know Brother we're here to do. Uh we know Brother we're here to do. Uh we know Brother Hunt and his family are kind of heavy Hunt and his family are kind of heavy Hunt and his family are kind of heavy this morning. Continue to pray for them this morning. Continue to pray for them this morning. Continue to pray for them and those that are going to uh down this and those that are going to uh down this and those that are going to uh down this afternoon. Again, immediately after afternoon. Again, immediately after afternoon. Again, immediately after service, as brother Mark said, we'll be service, as brother Mark said, we'll be service, as brother Mark said, we'll be loading up. Um but continue to pray for loading up. Um but continue to pray for loading up. Um but continue to pray for them. But God is here this morning, and them. But God is here this morning, and them. But God is here this morning, and I've already felt his presence. I know I've already felt his presence. I know I've already felt his presence. I know he's here and he's here to do a work. he's here and he's here to do a work. he's here and he's here to do a work. The Holy Ghost never shows up for where The Holy Ghost never shows up for where The Holy Ghost never shows up for where he don't come to minister. he don't come to minister. he don't come to minister. He is a ministering spirit. And so, He is a ministering spirit. And so, He is a ministering spirit. And so, we're not here just to hang out and just we're not here just to hang out and just we're not here just to hang out and just hurry up and get through with the hurry up and get through with the hurry up and get through with the service and take the night off. I'm here service and take the night off. I'm here service and take the night off. I'm here to do what thus sayith the Lord. And I to do what thus sayith the Lord. And I to do what thus sayith the Lord. And I believe that God has given me a message believe that God has given me a message believe that God has given me a message that he's weighed on my heart for that he's weighed on my heart for that he's weighed on my heart for someone either watching online. And we someone either watching online. And we someone either watching online. And we welcome those who may be watching this welcome those who may be watching this welcome those who may be watching this morning or someone here. I'm going to morning or someone here. I'm going to morning or someone here. I'm going to read my first script, couple scriptures. read my first script, couple scriptures. read my first script, couple scriptures. First one, Leviticus chapter 9 23 and First one, Leviticus chapter 9 23 and First one, Leviticus chapter 9 23 and 24. Leviticus chapter 9. And then I'm 24. Leviticus chapter 9. And then I'm 24. Leviticus chapter 9. And then I'm going to go backward a couple chapters going to go backward a couple chapters going to go backward a couple chapters to Leviticus 6 12 and 13. Leviticus 9 to Leviticus 6 12 and 13. Leviticus 9 to Leviticus 6 12 and 13. Leviticus 9 23- 24, Leviticus 6:12 and 13. All right. Uh Leviticus 9, it said, "And All right. Uh Leviticus 9, it said, "And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation and came out and of the congregation and came out and of the congregation and came out and blessed the people, and the glory of the blessed the people, and the glory of the blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord," somebody say, "the glory of the Lord," somebody say, "the glory of the Lord," somebody say, "the glory of the Lord appeared until all people. And Lord appeared until all people. And Lord appeared until all people. And there came a fire out from before the there came a fire out from before the there came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the altar the Lord and consumed upon the altar the Lord and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat which when burnt offering and the fat which when burnt offering and the fat which when all the people saw they shouted and they all the people saw they shouted and they all the people saw they shouted and they fell on their faces. Oh that we would fell on their faces. Oh that we would fell on their faces. Oh that we would get back to a point that that that get back to a point that that that get back to a point that that that people would come to the house of God people would come to the house of God people would come to the house of God and worship and praise and magnify him and worship and praise and magnify him and worship and praise and magnify him and fall upon their faces. I believe God and fall upon their faces. I believe God and fall upon their faces. I believe God desires to come down today just like he desires to come down today just like he desires to come down today just like he came down that day in that temple. Uh so came down that day in that temple. Uh so came down that day in that temple. Uh so the fire came from the Lord, right? Uh the fire came from the Lord, right? Uh the fire came from the Lord, right? Uh man didn't start that fire. All right. man didn't start that fire. All right. man didn't start that fire. All right. Leviticus 6:12 and 13 it said, "And the Leviticus 6:12 and 13 it said, "And the Leviticus 6:12 and 13 it said, "And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in fire upon the altar shall be burning in fire upon the altar shall be burning in it. It shall not be put out. And the it. It shall not be put out. And the it. It shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every priest shall burn wood on it every priest shall burn wood on it every morning. Lay the burnt offering in order morning. Lay the burnt offering in order morning. Lay the burnt offering in order upon it, and he shall burn thereon, the upon it, and he shall burn thereon, the upon it, and he shall burn thereon, the fat of the peace offerings. The fire fat of the peace offerings. The fire fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar. It shall ever be burning upon the altar. It shall ever be burning upon the altar. It shall never go out. The devil's after shall never go out. The devil's after shall never go out. The devil's after your fire this morning. Some of you, your fire this morning. Some of you, your fire this morning. Some of you, he's already got it pretty much. The he's already got it pretty much. The he's already got it pretty much. The fire is ever burning. He said to be ever fire is ever burning. He said to be ever fire is ever burning. He said to be ever burning, to never go out. When God burning, to never go out. When God burning, to never go out. When God lights a fire, he doesn't never intend lights a fire, he doesn't never intend lights a fire, he doesn't never intend for it to go out. So again, uh the the for it to go out. So again, uh the the for it to go out. So again, uh the the thought I'm going to preach on this thought I'm going to preach on this thought I'm going to preach on this morning is simply one word, fire. And morning is simply one word, fire. And morning is simply one word, fire. And what I'd like you to do is bow your head what I'd like you to do is bow your head what I'd like you to do is bow your head and pray for pray for me and pray for and pray for pray for me and pray for and pray for pray for me and pray for this service that God's will be done. this service that God's will be done. this service that God's will be done. Heavenly Father, thank you. God, help us to have a hungry heart. God, help us to have a hungry heart. Help us to have a humble heart, God, and Help us to have a humble heart, God, and Help us to have a humble heart, God, and receiving heart receiving heart receiving heart of God. It's the word that's able to of God. It's the word that's able to of God. It's the word that's able to save souls and transform lives and save souls and transform lives and save souls and transform lives and sanctify. It's the word this morning sanctify. It's the word this morning sanctify. It's the word this morning that's quick and powerful and sharper that's quick and powerful and sharper that's quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. We pray that than any two-edged sword. We pray that than any two-edged sword. We pray that you hide us behind the cross. Give us you hide us behind the cross. Give us you hide us behind the cross. Give us the mind of your spirit God that we say the mind of your spirit God that we say the mind of your spirit God that we say nothing more, nothing less than what you nothing more, nothing less than what you nothing more, nothing less than what you would have us to say. God, we give you would have us to say. God, we give you would have us to say. God, we give you the praise and glory. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. May be In Jesus name we pray. Amen. May be seated. seated. seated. Fire is one of the Bible's most Fire is one of the Bible's most Fire is one of the Bible's most recurring and rich symbols. uh in the recurring and rich symbols. uh in the recurring and rich symbols. uh in the Bible fire appears over 500 times and it Bible fire appears over 500 times and it Bible fire appears over 500 times and it represents represents represents multiple aspects of God's nature and multiple aspects of God's nature and multiple aspects of God's nature and God's action. All right. Um it's meaning God's action. All right. Um it's meaning God's action. All right. Um it's meaning shifts depending upon the context. It's shifts depending upon the context. It's shifts depending upon the context. It's consistently conveys divine presence and consistently conveys divine presence and consistently conveys divine presence and divine action. But over 500 times it's divine action. But over 500 times it's divine action. But over 500 times it's used in it's it's used uh many different used in it's it's used uh many different used in it's it's used uh many different ways as far as a symbol. And we're going ways as far as a symbol. And we're going ways as far as a symbol. And we're going to talk about just a few of the symbols to talk about just a few of the symbols to talk about just a few of the symbols this morning and then kind of really this morning and then kind of really this morning and then kind of really focus on our fire. All right. So again, focus on our fire. All right. So again, focus on our fire. All right. So again, the first symbol that the fire is the the first symbol that the fire is the the first symbol that the fire is the one of the first symbols that the fire one of the first symbols that the fire one of the first symbols that the fire is used in the word of God is judgment. is used in the word of God is judgment. is used in the word of God is judgment. Now we uh and we see uh Sodom and Now we uh and we see uh Sodom and Now we uh and we see uh Sodom and Gomorrah. We know Sodom and Gomorrah God Gomorrah. We know Sodom and Gomorrah God Gomorrah. We know Sodom and Gomorrah God reign fire and brimstone to bring his reign fire and brimstone to bring his reign fire and brimstone to bring his judgment upon this earth and upon this judgment upon this earth and upon this judgment upon this earth and upon this world. So we know fire is an example or world. So we know fire is an example or world. So we know fire is an example or demonstration of judgment. We also see demonstration of judgment. We also see demonstration of judgment. We also see in the book of revelation where he said in the book of revelation where he said in the book of revelation where he said all unbelievers uh and he goes on to all unbelievers uh and he goes on to all unbelievers uh and he goes on to list those that will not be going to list those that will not be going to list those that will not be going to heaven. He said they will burn in a lake heaven. He said they will burn in a lake heaven. He said they will burn in a lake of fire. So again fire it it it early in of fire. So again fire it it it early in of fire. So again fire it it it early in this creation it was used as judgment this creation it was used as judgment this creation it was used as judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah. And at the end upon Sodom and Gomorrah. And at the end upon Sodom and Gomorrah. And at the end of the age those who do not love Jesus of the age those who do not love Jesus of the age those who do not love Jesus Christ and those who are not saved and Christ and those who are not saved and Christ and those who are not saved and name washed in the lamb's book written name washed in the lamb's book written name washed in the lamb's book written in the lamb's book of life they'll go to in the lamb's book of life they'll go to in the lamb's book of life they'll go to the same place as well. So we see fire the same place as well. So we see fire the same place as well. So we see fire is used indeed as judgment. Now the is used indeed as judgment. Now the is used indeed as judgment. Now the second reason we see uh fire used is second reason we see uh fire used is second reason we see uh fire used is God's visible manifestation of himself. God's visible manifestation of himself. God's visible manifestation of himself. We look back at the burning bush. We all We look back at the burning bush. We all We look back at the burning bush. We all know the story uh when Moses came and know the story uh when Moses came and know the story uh when Moses came and God called Moses to lead his people out God called Moses to lead his people out God called Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. Uh he come in the form of a of Egypt. Uh he come in the form of a of Egypt. Uh he come in the form of a burning bush. Uh God reminded me one burning bush. Uh God reminded me one burning bush. Uh God reminded me one time. You know what? That bush didn't time. You know what? That bush didn't time. You know what? That bush didn't burn up. You go set a tree on fire out burn up. You go set a tree on fire out burn up. You go set a tree on fire out here, it's gonna burn up. Uh because the here, it's gonna burn up. Uh because the here, it's gonna burn up. Uh because the fuel is expent. Uh but the reason that fuel is expent. Uh but the reason that fuel is expent. Uh but the reason that bush didn't burn up is because that bush bush didn't burn up is because that bush bush didn't burn up is because that bush wasn't the fuel. That bush wasn't the wasn't the fuel. That bush wasn't the wasn't the fuel. That bush wasn't the source of the fire. The Holy Ghost, God source of the fire. The Holy Ghost, God source of the fire. The Holy Ghost, God was the source of that fire. And again, was the source of that fire. And again, was the source of that fire. And again, any fire that God starts, it's not going any fire that God starts, it's not going any fire that God starts, it's not going to go out. Uh so again, we see fire as to go out. Uh so again, we see fire as to go out. Uh so again, we see fire as the as a presence and calling of God. We the as a presence and calling of God. We the as a presence and calling of God. We also see fire uh when he delivered Egypt also see fire uh when he delivered Egypt also see fire uh when he delivered Egypt out of Israel, he used a uh pillow by out of Israel, he used a uh pillow by out of Israel, he used a uh pillow by cloud by day to lead his people and a cloud by day to lead his people and a cloud by day to lead his people and a fire by night. So we see fire leading fire by night. So we see fire leading fire by night. So we see fire leading this his people and guiding his people. this his people and guiding his people. this his people and guiding his people. And I believe that fire when you see And I believe that fire when you see And I believe that fire when you see that in the uh in the Old Testament that in the uh in the Old Testament that in the uh in the Old Testament about leading Egypt by night. I think as about leading Egypt by night. I think as about leading Egypt by night. I think as that fire led them out of Egypt, it led that fire led them out of Egypt, it led that fire led them out of Egypt, it led them through the wilderness. Uh it was them through the wilderness. Uh it was them through the wilderness. Uh it was laid them it led them up to the promised laid them it led them up to the promised laid them it led them up to the promised land. But that fire was leading God's land. But that fire was leading God's land. But that fire was leading God's people. And I think that was a typology people. And I think that was a typology people. And I think that was a typology and a symbol of the fire I'm talking and a symbol of the fire I'm talking and a symbol of the fire I'm talking about today and God leading his people about today and God leading his people about today and God leading his people with his fire. Are y'all quiet this with his fire. Are y'all quiet this with his fire. Are y'all quiet this morning? morning? morning? I'm not here to have church. I'm here to I'm not here to have church. I'm here to I'm not here to have church. I'm here to worship God. People's got a wrong worship God. People's got a wrong worship God. People's got a wrong attitude about church. Got to go to attitude about church. Got to go to attitude about church. Got to go to church. church. church. Church is not a place. It's an organism. Church is not a place. It's an organism. Church is not a place. It's an organism. You're the church. And when the church You're the church. And when the church You're the church. And when the church assembles in one mind and one accord, assembles in one mind and one accord, assembles in one mind and one accord, they're here for one purpose, and that's they're here for one purpose, and that's they're here for one purpose, and that's to magnify and glorify and lift up and to magnify and glorify and lift up and to magnify and glorify and lift up and worship the holy God. So, let's do that worship the holy God. So, let's do that worship the holy God. So, let's do that this morning. All right. So, again, uh this morning. All right. So, again, uh this morning. All right. So, again, uh per So, we see the fire used as per So, we see the fire used as per So, we see the fire used as judgment. We see it used as a type of judgment. We see it used as a type of judgment. We see it used as a type of guiding God's people and leading his guiding God's people and leading his guiding God's people and leading his people uh and and uh protecting his people uh and and uh protecting his people uh and and uh protecting his people. We see fire for a third reason people. We see fire for a third reason people. We see fire for a third reason in the Bible, and it's used as in the Bible, and it's used as in the Bible, and it's used as purification. We see fire will burn out purification. We see fire will burn out purification. We see fire will burn out the impurities or purification. In 1 the impurities or purification. In 1 the impurities or purification. In 1 Peter 1:7 it says the trials of our Peter 1:7 it says the trials of our Peter 1:7 it says the trials of our faith or liken to a refining fire that faith or liken to a refining fire that faith or liken to a refining fire that produces spiritual maturity. God uses a produces spiritual maturity. God uses a produces spiritual maturity. God uses a refining fire on his people to burn out refining fire on his people to burn out refining fire on his people to burn out attitudes to burn out things in their attitudes to burn out things in their attitudes to burn out things in their life that doesn't need to be there. life that doesn't need to be there. life that doesn't need to be there. He'll work with them and deal with them He'll work with them and deal with them He'll work with them and deal with them as long as they humble themsel. Uh and as long as they humble themsel. Uh and as long as they humble themsel. Uh and that fire will come and it will begin to that fire will come and it will begin to that fire will come and it will begin to work on us. uh uh those trials are not work on us. uh uh those trials are not work on us. uh uh those trials are not just happen stance. Uh every trial God just happen stance. Uh every trial God just happen stance. Uh every trial God sends a child of God. There's a purpose sends a child of God. There's a purpose sends a child of God. There's a purpose behind it. Doesn't mean you've done behind it. Doesn't mean you've done behind it. Doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. Uh he may simply want to anything wrong. Uh he may simply want to anything wrong. Uh he may simply want to use you in that place. Uh he may want to use you in that place. Uh he may want to use you in that place. Uh he may want to use you as a witness in that place as he use you as a witness in that place as he use you as a witness in that place as he did Job. Job glorified God in the midst did Job. Job glorified God in the midst did Job. Job glorified God in the midst of his circumstances. But we see fire uh of his circumstances. But we see fire uh of his circumstances. But we see fire uh as purification and refinement. as purification and refinement. as purification and refinement. Fourth reason we see fire used in the Fourth reason we see fire used in the Fourth reason we see fire used in the Bible is for the Holy Ghost, the word of Bible is for the Holy Ghost, the word of Bible is for the Holy Ghost, the word of God. The Holy Ghost, the word of God. Uh God. The Holy Ghost, the word of God. Uh God. The Holy Ghost, the word of God. Uh we know that what John the Baptist was a we know that what John the Baptist was a we know that what John the Baptist was a forerunner of Christ. He said, "I come forerunner of Christ. He said, "I come forerunner of Christ. He said, "I come to baptize you indeed with water, but to baptize you indeed with water, but to baptize you indeed with water, but there's one coming mighter than I whose there's one coming mighter than I whose there's one coming mighter than I whose shoes I'm not worthy to bear." Said, "He shoes I'm not worthy to bear." Said, "He shoes I'm not worthy to bear." Said, "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." with the Holy Ghost and and with fire." with the Holy Ghost and and with fire." with the Holy Ghost and with fire. So again we see that the with fire. So again we see that the with fire. So again we see that the spirit of God uh is likened to fire. In spirit of God uh is likened to fire. In spirit of God uh is likened to fire. In fact at Pentecost when the Holy Ghost fact at Pentecost when the Holy Ghost fact at Pentecost when the Holy Ghost come on the day of Pentecost you know come on the day of Pentecost you know come on the day of Pentecost you know the story was a rushing mighty wind and the story was a rushing mighty wind and the story was a rushing mighty wind and filled the house and on each one of them filled the house and on each one of them filled the house and on each one of them there were clothing tongues like as of there were clothing tongues like as of there were clothing tongues like as of fire that said on each one of them the fire that said on each one of them the fire that said on each one of them the Holy Ghost is demonstrated and and it's Holy Ghost is demonstrated and and it's Holy Ghost is demonstrated and and it's symbolized using fire. And we see here symbolized using fire. And we see here symbolized using fire. And we see here also that uh Jeremiah the prophet had a also that uh Jeremiah the prophet had a also that uh Jeremiah the prophet had a dream. Uh and he said, 'Lord, let him dream. Uh and he said, 'Lord, let him dream. Uh and he said, 'Lord, let him tell a dream and he that hath my word tell a dream and he that hath my word tell a dream and he that hath my word lay him speak my word faithfully. What lay him speak my word faithfully. What lay him speak my word faithfully. What is chaff to the wheat? That was his is chaff to the wheat? That was his is chaff to the wheat? That was his question. He was talking about false question. He was talking about false question. He was talking about false prophets in the context of the prophets in the context of the prophets in the context of the scripture. He said, "What is the chaff scripture. He said, "What is the chaff scripture. He said, "What is the chaff to the wheat?" And then here's the part to the wheat?" And then here's the part to the wheat?" And then here's the part I want to stress, sayeth the Lord. Is I want to stress, sayeth the Lord. Is I want to stress, sayeth the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire not my word like as a fire not my word like as a fire and as a hammer that breakth the rock and as a hammer that breakth the rock and as a hammer that breakth the rock into pieces? The word of God for the into pieces? The word of God for the into pieces? The word of God for the cold heart, he'll melt it with a fire. cold heart, he'll melt it with a fire. cold heart, he'll melt it with a fire. For the hard-hearted, he'll break it For the hard-hearted, he'll break it For the hard-hearted, he'll break it with a hammer. But the the spirit of God with a hammer. But the the spirit of God with a hammer. But the the spirit of God is likened as a fire. And the word of is likened as a fire. And the word of is likened as a fire. And the word of God is likened as a fire. So we see the God is likened as a fire. So we see the God is likened as a fire. So we see the fourth reason that we see fire fourth reason that we see fire fourth reason that we see fire illustrated in the Bible is simply for illustrated in the Bible is simply for illustrated in the Bible is simply for the power and the presence of the Holy the power and the presence of the Holy the power and the presence of the Holy Ghost and the word of precious precious Ghost and the word of precious precious Ghost and the word of precious precious word of God. word of God. word of God. Now the last reason we see fire and this Now the last reason we see fire and this Now the last reason we see fire and this is this is where we're going to is this is where we're going to is this is where we're going to spiritual spiritual spiritual zeal zeal zeal and passion and passion and passion for God. for God. for God. Fire is illustrated with this spiritual Fire is illustrated with this spiritual Fire is illustrated with this spiritual zeal and passion. Jeremiah 20 and9 zeal and passion. Jeremiah 20 and9 zeal and passion. Jeremiah 20 and9 describes the word of God as a fire shut describes the word of God as a fire shut describes the word of God as a fire shut up in my bones. He couldn't sit down on up in my bones. He couldn't sit down on up in my bones. He couldn't sit down on it. He tried. When when you have the it. He tried. When when you have the it. He tried. When when you have the Holy Ghost and you have the and your Holy Ghost and you have the and your Holy Ghost and you have the and your relationship with God's work needs to relationship with God's work needs to relationship with God's work needs to be, you won't be able to sit down on it. be, you won't be able to sit down on it. be, you won't be able to sit down on it. You won't be able to just come in and go You won't be able to just come in and go You won't be able to just come in and go through the motions. You because he's through the motions. You because he's through the motions. You because he's not going to let you. He's not going to not going to let you. He's not going to not going to let you. He's not going to let you get comfortable sitting on that let you get comfortable sitting on that let you get comfortable sitting on that pew. He's not going to let you get pew. He's not going to let you get pew. He's not going to let you get comfortable sitting back in the seat to comfortable sitting back in the seat to comfortable sitting back in the seat to do nothing because he so that fire's do nothing because he so that fire's do nothing because he so that fire's burning if it's burning in your soul. Uh burning if it's burning in your soul. Uh burning if it's burning in your soul. Uh it didn't let Jeremiah sit down and do it didn't let Jeremiah sit down and do it didn't let Jeremiah sit down and do nothing and that fire is not going to nothing and that fire is not going to nothing and that fire is not going to let you sit down and do nothing. So let you sit down and do nothing. So let you sit down and do nothing. So again we see the fire representing the again we see the fire representing the again we see the fire representing the spiritual zeal and passion. Romans 12 11 spiritual zeal and passion. Romans 12 11 spiritual zeal and passion. Romans 12 11 and 12 says, "Not slothful in business, and 12 says, "Not slothful in business, and 12 says, "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient tribulation, rejoicing in hope, patient tribulation, rejoicing in hope, patient tribulation, continuing instant in prayer." Continue continuing instant in prayer." Continue continuing instant in prayer." Continue instant in prayer. But the point there instant in prayer. But the point there instant in prayer. But the point there in Romans 11, he says, "Fermate in in Romans 11, he says, "Fermate in in Romans 11, he says, "Fermate in spirit." What does that mean? Fervent in spirit." What does that mean? Fervent in spirit." What does that mean? Fervent in spirit. The word fervent is used spirit. The word fervent is used spirit. The word fervent is used metaphorically for emotions like passion metaphorically for emotions like passion metaphorically for emotions like passion or like love. uh God's love for us, our or like love. uh God's love for us, our or like love. uh God's love for us, our love for him. The Greek meaning of this love for him. The Greek meaning of this love for him. The Greek meaning of this word fervor here in this scripture is to word fervor here in this scripture is to word fervor here in this scripture is to boil or bo like boiling water. That boil or bo like boiling water. That boil or bo like boiling water. That that's the meaning of that word ferv in that's the meaning of that word ferv in that's the meaning of that word ferv in spirit like boiling water. Inner life spirit like boiling water. Inner life spirit like boiling water. Inner life with God should act like a pot of with God should act like a pot of with God should act like a pot of boiling water active bubbling with boiling water active bubbling with boiling water active bubbling with energy giving off heat giving off energy giving off heat giving off energy giving off heat giving off movement. That's the Holy Ghost of the movement. That's the Holy Ghost of the movement. That's the Holy Ghost of the Bible I'm talking about. And that's the Bible I'm talking about. And that's the Bible I'm talking about. And that's the spirit and the zeal that God's people spirit and the zeal that God's people spirit and the zeal that God's people need to have this morning. and quit let need to have this morning. and quit let need to have this morning. and quit let the devil bring condemnation and the devil bring condemnation and the devil bring condemnation and oppression and depression upon you and oppression and depression upon you and oppression and depression upon you and quit allowing the enemy to to to try to quit allowing the enemy to to to try to quit allowing the enemy to to to try to put water on your fire. God wants you to put water on your fire. God wants you to put water on your fire. God wants you to have a fire, a fire of his power, his have a fire, a fire of his power, his have a fire, a fire of his power, his spirit, his word within you. And he spirit, his word within you. And he spirit, his word within you. And he wants you to have a zeal for serving and wants you to have a zeal for serving and wants you to have a zeal for serving and loving him. Bo bubble, are you boiling this morning? Bo bubble, are you boiling this morning? And I'm not being ugly. Some people And I'm not being ugly. Some people And I'm not being ugly. Some people won't even sing. Brother Mark asked you won't even sing. Brother Mark asked you won't even sing. Brother Mark asked you to get a book. If I'm in the house of God and I'm not If I'm in the house of God and I'm not able to sing a song to him this morning, able to sing a song to him this morning, able to sing a song to him this morning, I need to be in this altar before we I need to be in this altar before we I need to be in this altar before we even started. even started. even started. Something's wrong. Something's wrong Something's wrong. Something's wrong Something's wrong. Something's wrong with your fire. with your fire. with your fire. Something's wrong. But God doesn't just Something's wrong. But God doesn't just Something's wrong. But God doesn't just find you wrong. He change he he he he find you wrong. He change he he he he find you wrong. He change he he he he corrects it. All right. So again, we are corrects it. All right. So again, we are corrects it. All right. So again, we are to have where is our spiritual zeal? to have where is our spiritual zeal? to have where is our spiritual zeal? Where's the fervent spirit at this Where's the fervent spirit at this Where's the fervent spirit at this morning? Uh, it calls for a fiery, morning? Uh, it calls for a fiery, morning? Uh, it calls for a fiery, heartfelt enthusiasm. And here it is, heartfelt enthusiasm. And here it is, heartfelt enthusiasm. And here it is, total dedication when serving Christ, total dedication when serving Christ, total dedication when serving Christ, avoiding a cold, lukewarm attitude. avoiding a cold, lukewarm attitude. avoiding a cold, lukewarm attitude. The lukewarm have no fire. The lukewarm have no fire. The lukewarm have no fire. The cold have no fire. The cold have no fire. The cold have no fire. If you're hot, what produced the heat? If you're hot, what produced the heat? If you're hot, what produced the heat? The fire. He said, "I'd rather you be The fire. He said, "I'd rather you be The fire. He said, "I'd rather you be cold or hot. cold or hot. cold or hot. Fire produces the heat. A heartfelt Fire produces the heat. A heartfelt Fire produces the heat. A heartfelt enthusiasm, a total dedication. God enthusiasm, a total dedication. God enthusiasm, a total dedication. God really dealt with me in about this really dealt with me in about this really dealt with me in about this message and preparing this message and message and preparing this message and message and preparing this message and the importance of understanding what the importance of understanding what the importance of understanding what we're talking about. Now, our spiritual we're talking about. Now, our spiritual we're talking about. Now, our spiritual life, the fire that represents our life, the fire that represents our life, the fire that represents our spiritual life focuses on number four spiritual life focuses on number four spiritual life focuses on number four and five. And that is the Holy Ghost of and five. And that is the Holy Ghost of and five. And that is the Holy Ghost of fire and and and the zeal and the fire fire and and and the zeal and the fire fire and and and the zeal and the fire we should have burning in our life uh in we should have burning in our life uh in we should have burning in our life uh in our heart for God. Anybody remember when our heart for God. Anybody remember when our heart for God. Anybody remember when you first fell in love with your spouse? you first fell in love with your spouse? you first fell in love with your spouse? [clears throat] [clears throat] [clears throat] If you were around someone, if you fell If you were around someone, if you fell If you were around someone, if you fell in love with your spouse and you were in love with your spouse and you were in love with your spouse and you were around someone else and they were around someone else and they were around someone else and they were talking junk about your spouse, you were talking junk about your spouse, you were talking junk about your spouse, you were passionate, you defend them in a second. passionate, you defend them in a second. passionate, you defend them in a second. Things that people are passionate about, Things that people are passionate about, Things that people are passionate about, they'll defend. Things people are they'll defend. Things people are they'll defend. Things people are passionate about, they'll put their passionate about, they'll put their passionate about, they'll put their energy in. Things people are passionate energy in. Things people are passionate energy in. Things people are passionate about, that's where their focus goes. about, that's where their focus goes. about, that's where their focus goes. It's time for us to get passionate about It's time for us to get passionate about It's time for us to get passionate about Jesus Christ and about this relationship Jesus Christ and about this relationship Jesus Christ and about this relationship with him and let that fire burn deep with him and let that fire burn deep with him and let that fire burn deep within our soul and in our heart. So now within our soul and in our heart. So now within our soul and in our heart. So now we're going to look at three things you we're going to look at three things you we're going to look at three things you got to do to your spiritual fire. Again, got to do to your spiritual fire. Again, got to do to your spiritual fire. Again, the Holy Ghost, baptism of the Holy the Holy Ghost, baptism of the Holy the Holy Ghost, baptism of the Holy Ghost, or if you've been baptized in Ghost, or if you've been baptized in Ghost, or if you've been baptized in your fire and the zeal you have for God. your fire and the zeal you have for God. your fire and the zeal you have for God. Three things you got to do to a fire. Three things you got to do to a fire. Three things you got to do to a fire. First thing you got to do to a fire is First thing you got to do to a fire is First thing you got to do to a fire is kindle it. Second thing you got to do to kindle it. Second thing you got to do to kindle it. Second thing you got to do to a fire is tend it. And the third thing a fire is tend it. And the third thing a fire is tend it. And the third thing you've got to do to a fire is protect it you've got to do to a fire is protect it you've got to do to a fire is protect it or guard it. So, we're going to talk or guard it. So, we're going to talk or guard it. So, we're going to talk about those three points here in the about those three points here in the about those three points here in the next few minutes uh in this uh in this next few minutes uh in this uh in this next few minutes uh in this uh in this sermon. And uh we'll talk about first of sermon. And uh we'll talk about first of sermon. And uh we'll talk about first of all uh kindling the fire. The fire must all uh kindling the fire. The fire must all uh kindling the fire. The fire must be kindled. Now, we read in our be kindled. Now, we read in our be kindled. Now, we read in our scripture earlier, the fire came from scripture earlier, the fire came from scripture earlier, the fire came from where? where? where? The Lord. The fire came from God. It The Lord. The fire came from God. It The Lord. The fire came from God. It came down from heaven. Fire came from came down from heaven. Fire came from came down from heaven. Fire came from the Lord. This was God's fire. He tended the Lord. This was God's fire. He tended the Lord. This was God's fire. He tended this fire and we need to respect it and this fire and we need to respect it and this fire and we need to respect it and we need to careful this fire that God we need to careful this fire that God we need to careful this fire that God has sent. We don't need to cast it off has sent. We don't need to cast it off has sent. We don't need to cast it off or look at it as some light thing. This or look at it as some light thing. This or look at it as some light thing. This is God's fire and when God gives when is God's fire and when God gives when is God's fire and when God gives when God lights your soul on fire, you got to God lights your soul on fire, you got to God lights your soul on fire, you got to protect it. You got to value it and protect it. You got to value it and protect it. You got to value it and esteem it. The most precious treasure esteem it. The most precious treasure esteem it. The most precious treasure [laughter] that you have. We have this [laughter] that you have. We have this [laughter] that you have. We have this treasure in earthn vessels. We have this treasure in earthn vessels. We have this treasure in earthn vessels. We have this treasure in earthn ve You're an earn treasure in earthn ve You're an earn treasure in earthn ve You're an earn vessel. We have this treasury in earthn vessel. We have this treasury in earthn vessel. We have this treasury in earthn ve v vessels that the excellency of the ve v vessels that the excellency of the ve v vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. Uh power may be of God and not of us. Uh power may be of God and not of us. Uh what is he saying this this that fire in what is he saying this this that fire in what is he saying this this that fire in you is what gives you strength. It gives you is what gives you strength. It gives you is what gives you strength. It gives you the power to live an overcoming you the power to live an overcoming you the power to live an overcoming life. It is a treasure and treasure it life. It is a treasure and treasure it life. It is a treasure and treasure it as such. Don't people that play around as such. Don't people that play around as such. Don't people that play around with sin and they hip and scop hit and with sin and they hip and scop hit and with sin and they hip and scop hit and skip and miss church. They're not skip and miss church. They're not skip and miss church. They're not tending their fire. that fire will if tending their fire. that fire will if tending their fire. that fire will if it's not gone out it will go out. So we it's not gone out it will go out. So we it's not gone out it will go out. So we see the kindling of the fire. What does see the kindling of the fire. What does see the kindling of the fire. What does burnt now the kindling of that fire in burnt now the kindling of that fire in burnt now the kindling of that fire in my scripture we're talking about the my scripture we're talking about the my scripture we're talking about the burnt sacrifice. burnt sacrifice. burnt sacrifice. The burnt sacrifice. The Hebrew meaning of burnt sacrifice is The Hebrew meaning of burnt sacrifice is that which is ascends to God. That which that which is ascends to God. That which that which is ascends to God. That which ascends to God. The entire offering was ascends to God. The entire offering was ascends to God. The entire offering was burned up and what that signified was burned up and what that signified was burned up and what that signified was complete concentration complete concentration complete concentration to the Lord. And that is essential in to the Lord. And that is essential in to the Lord. And that is essential in true worship. Essential in true worship true worship. Essential in true worship true worship. Essential in true worship is complete consecration. That's what is complete consecration. That's what is complete consecration. That's what that burnt offering meant. It was to that burnt offering meant. It was to that burnt offering meant. It was to burn slowly all night and it was to burn slowly all night and it was to burn slowly all night and it was to completely be burnt. Complete completely be burnt. Complete completely be burnt. Complete consecration. consecration. consecration. And that's what it is. Uh forgiveness of And that's what it is. Uh forgiveness of And that's what it is. Uh forgiveness of sin was also also involved. They used sin was also also involved. They used sin was also also involved. They used the word atonement there. So in other the word atonement there. So in other the word atonement there. So in other words, worshippers could devote words, worshippers could devote words, worshippers could devote themselves to God, but they had to be themselves to God, but they had to be themselves to God, but they had to be clean from sin first. clean from sin first. clean from sin first. And in order to devote yourself to God, And in order to devote yourself to God, And in order to devote yourself to God, you have to be clean from sin first. The you have to be clean from sin first. The you have to be clean from sin first. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ was the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ was the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ was the complete burnt offering for us. The complete burnt offering for us. The complete burnt offering for us. The complete burnt offering for us. So complete burnt offering for us. So complete burnt offering for us. So again, before worshiping, again, before worshiping, again, before worshiping, we got to be cleansed from sin. Church we got to be cleansed from sin. Church we got to be cleansed from sin. Church without fire is nothing more than dead, without fire is nothing more than dead, without fire is nothing more than dead, dry religion. dry religion. dry religion. People have got comfortable without the People have got comfortable without the People have got comfortable without the fire. And that's a dangerous thing in fire. And that's a dangerous thing in fire. And that's a dangerous thing in the last days in apostasy. The danger of the last days in apostasy. The danger of the last days in apostasy. The danger of apostasy is when people come to church apostasy is when people come to church apostasy is when people come to church and they sit on a pew week in and week and they sit on a pew week in and week and they sit on a pew week in and week out, day in and day out, and they have out, day in and day out, and they have out, day in and day out, and they have no fire, but they're comfortable in no fire, but they're comfortable in no fire, but they're comfortable in their religion. That's the hardest state their religion. That's the hardest state their religion. That's the hardest state of a man to be set free and delivered of a man to be set free and delivered of a man to be set free and delivered from. I am convinced. Uh uh it's easier from. I am convinced. Uh uh it's easier from. I am convinced. Uh uh it's easier to be set from free from alcohol, drugs, to be set from free from alcohol, drugs, to be set from free from alcohol, drugs, prostitution, perversion. The bondages prostitution, perversion. The bondages prostitution, perversion. The bondages of this world, I believe, are in a man's of this world, I believe, are in a man's of this world, I believe, are in a man's mind is easier because that that mind is easier because that that mind is easier because that that alcoholic knows he's an alcoholic. That alcoholic knows he's an alcoholic. That alcoholic knows he's an alcoholic. That drug addict knows he's a drug addict. drug addict knows he's a drug addict. drug addict knows he's a drug addict. That that pervert knows he's a pervert. That that pervert knows he's a pervert. That that pervert knows he's a pervert. That's but again, when you got someone That's but again, when you got someone That's but again, when you got someone sitting on a church pew in the form of sitting on a church pew in the form of sitting on a church pew in the form of religion week after week and there's no religion week after week and there's no religion week after week and there's no fire and they're comfortable in that fire and they're comfortable in that fire and they're comfortable in that fire, they think they're all right. They fire, they think they're all right. They fire, they think they're all right. They don't know. They don't realize because don't know. They don't realize because don't know. They don't realize because the enemy has lulled them to a deep the enemy has lulled them to a deep the enemy has lulled them to a deep sleep. He's lulled them into a sleep. He's lulled them into a sleep. He's lulled them into a deception. And they if I come to church deception. And they if I come to church deception. And they if I come to church and I sit there and I have no fire and and I sit there and I have no fire and and I sit there and I have no fire and it not bother me, then I need to get in it not bother me, then I need to get in it not bother me, then I need to get in this altar and pour my life out to God this altar and pour my life out to God this altar and pour my life out to God until he comes and sends the fire again. until he comes and sends the fire again. until he comes and sends the fire again. Dead, dry religion makes God puke. Dead, dry religion makes God puke. Dead, dry religion makes God puke. It It makes him puke. If you want to It It makes him puke. If you want to It It makes him puke. If you want to know, Lou War said, "I'll spew you out know, Lou War said, "I'll spew you out know, Lou War said, "I'll spew you out of my mouth." That's puking. of my mouth." That's puking. of my mouth." That's puking. It makes God puke. It makes God puke. It makes God puke. Christ was our perfect sacrifice this Christ was our perfect sacrifice this Christ was our perfect sacrifice this morning. Romans 12:1 and2. So if if morning. Romans 12:1 and2. So if if morning. Romans 12:1 and2. So if if Christ was the perfect sacrifice, how Christ was the perfect sacrifice, how Christ was the perfect sacrifice, how does this sacrifice apply to us? Romans does this sacrifice apply to us? Romans does this sacrifice apply to us? Romans 12:1-2 tells us, "I beseech you 12:1-2 tells us, "I beseech you 12:1-2 tells us, "I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of therefore, brethren by the mercies of therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies God, that you present your bodies God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, a living sacrifice, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is holy and acceptable unto God, which is holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Nothing above your reasonable service. Nothing above your reasonable service. Nothing above and beyond, nothing extraordinary, and beyond, nothing extraordinary, and beyond, nothing extraordinary, your reasonable service." your reasonable service." your reasonable service." All right. So again, and be not All right. So again, and be not All right. So again, and be not conformed to this world, conformed to this world, conformed to this world, but be ye transformed but be ye transformed but be ye transformed that you may prove what is that good and that you may prove what is that good and that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. We acceptable and perfect will of God. We acceptable and perfect will of God. We are to be a living sacrifice. So living are to be a living sacrifice. So living are to be a living sacrifice. So living sacrifice means we surrender it all. It sacrifice means we surrender it all. It sacrifice means we surrender it all. It means we've devoted our life uh uh to to means we've devoted our life uh uh to to means we've devoted our life uh uh to to to Christ. Uh and he can do with us what to Christ. Uh and he can do with us what to Christ. Uh and he can do with us what he wills. is his plan, his will and and he wills. is his plan, his will and and he wills. is his plan, his will and and we just surrender and and and allow him we just surrender and and and allow him we just surrender and and and allow him to do what he will uh in our heart and to do what he will uh in our heart and to do what he will uh in our heart and in our life. That's a living sacrifice. in our life. That's a living sacrifice. in our life. That's a living sacrifice. A living sacrifice means it's no longer A living sacrifice means it's no longer A living sacrifice means it's no longer about me. about me. about me. Why do people have short tempers and get Why do people have short tempers and get Why do people have short tempers and get angry? Because they got their mind on angry? Because they got their mind on angry? Because they got their mind on them. them. them. It's not about me. Living sacrifice It's not about me. Living sacrifice It's not about me. Living sacrifice means wherever I go in the forefront of means wherever I go in the forefront of means wherever I go in the forefront of my mind, I got to remember I'm my mind, I got to remember I'm my mind, I got to remember I'm representing Jesus Christ. Everything representing Jesus Christ. Everything representing Jesus Christ. Everything that comes out of my mouth is that comes out of my mouth is that comes out of my mouth is representing him. My attitude, my representing him. My attitude, my representing him. My attitude, my actions represent him. That is a living actions represent him. That is a living actions represent him. That is a living sacrifice, holy and accept. That's the sacrifice, holy and accept. That's the sacrifice, holy and accept. That's the sacrifice that's acceptable to God. sacrifice that's acceptable to God. sacrifice that's acceptable to God. That's a sacrifice that'll draw fire That's a sacrifice that'll draw fire That's a sacrifice that'll draw fire from heaven. If you want fire to come from heaven. If you want fire to come from heaven. If you want fire to come down in the midst of our service, uh you down in the midst of our service, uh you down in the midst of our service, uh you want fire to come down in the midst of want fire to come down in the midst of want fire to come down in the midst of your life, uh you present yourself that your life, uh you present yourself that your life, uh you present yourself that living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, you don't have to beg for the fire. He's you don't have to beg for the fire. He's you don't have to beg for the fire. He's ready to send it. God's will is to send ready to send it. God's will is to send ready to send it. God's will is to send the fire. The problem is he's looking the fire. The problem is he's looking the fire. The problem is he's looking for sacrifices uh that is available and for sacrifices uh that is available and for sacrifices uh that is available and ready for the fire to come and consume ready for the fire to come and consume ready for the fire to come and consume their life. Uh consume what's in their their life. Uh consume what's in their their life. Uh consume what's in their life and burn it out uh and and and use life and burn it out uh and and and use life and burn it out uh and and and use that vessel for his praise, his honor, that vessel for his praise, his honor, that vessel for his praise, his honor, and his glory. The problem's not the and his glory. The problem's not the and his glory. The problem's not the fire. The problem is the sacrifice. Thank you, Lord. We're a living Thank you, Lord. We're a living sacrifice. sacrifice. sacrifice. This scripture is a major turning point This scripture is a major turning point This scripture is a major turning point in the Bible. And this is where belief in the Bible. And this is where belief in the Bible. And this is where belief becomes action. Faith becomes action. becomes action. Faith becomes action. becomes action. Faith becomes action. Faith in action is a living sacrifice. Faith in action is a living sacrifice. Faith in action is a living sacrifice. That's what faith and action is. God That's what faith and action is. God That's what faith and action is. God will kindle will kindle will kindle that type of sacrifice. The figuring the that type of sacrifice. The figuring the that type of sacrifice. The figuring the figurative meaning of Kendall, I looked figurative meaning of Kendall, I looked figurative meaning of Kendall, I looked that up, is to wake up or stare strong that up, is to wake up or stare strong that up, is to wake up or stare strong emotions emotions emotions such as excitement and passion. God's such as excitement and passion. God's such as excitement and passion. God's trying to wake us up and stir that gift of God that's within us. that gift of God that's within us. But he needs a sacrifice to do it. And But he needs a sacrifice to do it. And But he needs a sacrifice to do it. And that's a living sacrifice. that's a living sacrifice. that's a living sacrifice. God will kindle this type of fire. God will kindle this type of fire. God will kindle this type of fire. 2 Timothy 1:6 said, "Wherefore I put 2 Timothy 1:6 said, "Wherefore I put 2 Timothy 1:6 said, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up thee in remembrance that thou stir up thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the gift of God which is in thee by the gift of God which is in thee by putting on of my hands." That was Paul putting on of my hands." That was Paul putting on of my hands." That was Paul talking to Timothy. So we stir up again talking to Timothy. So we stir up again talking to Timothy. So we stir up again means rekindle, means rekindle, means rekindle, awaken, awaken, awaken, rekindle. There's times we have to come rekindle. There's times we have to come rekindle. There's times we have to come to this altar and say, "God, rekindle my to this altar and say, "God, rekindle my to this altar and say, "God, rekindle my fire." You can't produce it. This fire, fire." You can't produce it. This fire, fire." You can't produce it. This fire, remember, come from heaven. I can't remember, come from heaven. I can't remember, come from heaven. I can't produce it. You can't produce it. The produce it. You can't produce it. The produce it. You can't produce it. The only one that can produce that fire is only one that can produce that fire is only one that can produce that fire is the one that originated from that fire. the one that originated from that fire. the one that originated from that fire. But he's desiring to send the fire back But he's desiring to send the fire back But he's desiring to send the fire back into your life. He's desiring to wake into your life. He's desiring to wake into your life. He's desiring to wake up, to rekindle, to get that fire up, to rekindle, to get that fire up, to rekindle, to get that fire started again. That's the heart of God. started again. That's the heart of God. started again. That's the heart of God. That's the desire of God. It's about a That's the desire of God. It's about a That's the desire of God. It's about a passionate love for him. That's that passionate love for him. That's that passionate love for him. That's that fire. A passionate love for him. You fire. A passionate love for him. You fire. A passionate love for him. You know, when you love your wife, know, when you love your wife, know, when you love your wife, and I say wife could be husband. When and I say wife could be husband. When and I say wife could be husband. When you love your wife or husband, no other you love your wife or husband, no other you love your wife or husband, no other if I'll use me. When you when you as a if I'll use me. When you when you as a if I'll use me. When you when you as a husband, when you love your wife, no husband, when you love your wife, no husband, when you love your wife, no other woman interest you other woman interest you other woman interest you because your heart is there. But when because your heart is there. But when because your heart is there. But when your heart belongs to him, no other this your heart belongs to him, no other this your heart belongs to him, no other this world not going to interest you. The world not going to interest you. The world not going to interest you. The things of the world's not going to things of the world's not going to things of the world's not going to interest you. They're going to tug at interest you. They're going to tug at interest you. They're going to tug at you. They're going to pull on you. you. They're going to pull on you. you. They're going to pull on you. They're going to try to take you your They're going to try to take you your They're going to try to take you your heart and bring you affections over heart and bring you affections over heart and bring you affections over here. But as long as you keep yourself here. But as long as you keep yourself here. But as long as you keep yourself in the love of God and let that fire in the love of God and let that fire in the love of God and let that fire burn within your soul, it's what it's burn within your soul, it's what it's burn within your soul, it's what it's about. God stressed to me uh when I about. God stressed to me uh when I about. God stressed to me uh when I first got saved, this is not religion. first got saved, this is not religion. first got saved, this is not religion. It's not about religion. It's not about It's not about religion. It's not about It's not about religion. It's not about form format. It's not about doing things form format. It's not about doing things form format. It's not about doing things church attendance. It's about a church attendance. It's about a church attendance. It's about a relationship with him and loving him. relationship with him and loving him. relationship with him and loving him. How can I love him? Because he first How can I love him? Because he first How can I love him? Because he first loved me. The love of God was shared in loved me. The love of God was shared in loved me. The love of God was shared in our hearts. The Bible says by the Holy our hearts. The Bible says by the Holy our hearts. The Bible says by the Holy Ghost. He's the one that put that love Ghost. He's the one that put that love Ghost. He's the one that put that love in your heart. And it's that fire coming in your heart. And it's that fire coming in your heart. And it's that fire coming now from heaven that can rekindle that now from heaven that can rekindle that now from heaven that can rekindle that love uh for those whose fires gone out. love uh for those whose fires gone out. love uh for those whose fires gone out. And you don't love him like you once And you don't love him like you once And you don't love him like you once loved him. Uh you don't have a desire loved him. Uh you don't have a desire loved him. Uh you don't have a desire and zeal for him like you once had a and zeal for him like you once had a and zeal for him like you once had a desire and zeal. You don't have a desire and zeal. You don't have a desire and zeal. You don't have a passion like you once had a passion. passion like you once had a passion. passion like you once had a passion. He's here to rekindle that fire. He's He's here to rekindle that fire. He's He's here to rekindle that fire. He's here to work to work on that fire. It's here to work to work on that fire. It's here to work to work on that fire. It's up to us whether we're going to give him up to us whether we're going to give him up to us whether we're going to give him a living sacrifice. Paul uses the metaphor of fanning a Paul uses the metaphor of fanning a flame, suggesting gifts can diminish if flame, suggesting gifts can diminish if flame, suggesting gifts can diminish if neglected. Your fire will diminish if neglected. Your fire will diminish if neglected. Your fire will diminish if you neglect your fire. You go build a you neglect your fire. You go build a you neglect your fire. You go build a fire out here and you put a stack of fire out here and you put a stack of fire out here and you put a stack of wood that tall and that fire is burning wood that tall and that fire is burning wood that tall and that fire is burning high. But if you don't go back and put high. But if you don't go back and put high. But if you don't go back and put some more wood on it, it's going to go some more wood on it, it's going to go some more wood on it, it's going to go out. A neglected fire out. A neglected fire out. A neglected fire will go out. It will. So again, we've will go out. It will. So again, we've will go out. It will. So again, we've got to make sure we don't neglect our got to make sure we don't neglect our got to make sure we don't neglect our fire. This is a call to courage and fire. This is a call to courage and fire. This is a call to courage and diligence to rekindle. Let God rekindle diligence to rekindle. Let God rekindle diligence to rekindle. Let God rekindle that what he wants to rekindle in our that what he wants to rekindle in our that what he wants to rekindle in our lives. So the fire must be kindled. lives. So the fire must be kindled. lives. So the fire must be kindled. Second point, the fire must be tended. Second point, the fire must be tended. Second point, the fire must be tended. All right? So we put we presented our All right? So we put we presented our All right? So we put we presented our body as a living sacrifice. We've body as a living sacrifice. We've body as a living sacrifice. We've surrendered and give it all to God as surrendered and give it all to God as surrendered and give it all to God as far as we know in our minds, in our far as we know in our minds, in our far as we know in our minds, in our hearts. We're not holding anything back. hearts. We're not holding anything back. hearts. We're not holding anything back. The fire of God comes down that born The fire of God comes down that born The fire of God comes down that born again experience spirit of God dwelling again experience spirit of God dwelling again experience spirit of God dwelling in you looking to looking for you to in you looking to looking for you to in you looking to looking for you to continue to seek him until you're continue to seek him until you're continue to seek him until you're baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. That's God's will. Not everyone that That's God's will. Not everyone that That's God's will. Not everyone that said unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter said unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter said unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father which is in the will of my father which is in the will of my father which is in heaven. It's God will that you be heaven. It's God will that you be heaven. It's God will that you be sanctified. It's God will that you be sanctified. It's God will that you be sanctified. It's God will that you be filled with the Holy Ghost. And if I'm filled with the Holy Ghost. And if I'm filled with the Holy Ghost. And if I'm not desiring or seeking that, then I'm not desiring or seeking that, then I'm not desiring or seeking that, then I'm not in God's will. when God told me I'm not in God's will. when God told me I'm not in God's will. when God told me I'm not going to go to heaven unless I'm not going to go to heaven unless I'm not going to go to heaven unless I'm doing the will of the father. It's doing the will of the father. It's doing the will of the father. It's tight, but it's right. tight, but it's right. tight, but it's right. We need to we need we need to and again We need to we need we need to and again We need to we need we need to and again I'm not telling you if you died today I'm not telling you if you died today I'm not telling you if you died today and you don't have baptized in the Holy and you don't have baptized in the Holy and you don't have baptized in the Holy Ghost, you're going to hell. You might Ghost, you're going to hell. You might Ghost, you're going to hell. You might be seeking it diligently. I didn't get be seeking it diligently. I didn't get be seeking it diligently. I didn't get it when I first got saved. In fact, it when I first got saved. In fact, it when I first got saved. In fact, somebody got saved after me got it somebody got saved after me got it somebody got saved after me got it before me and the devil may put anger in before me and the devil may put anger in before me and the devil may put anger in my heart. my heart. my heart. Young Christians down at the altar in Young Christians down at the altar in Young Christians down at the altar in the old church. Somebody got the Holy the old church. Somebody got the Holy the old church. Somebody got the Holy Ghost. God, I've been saved longer than Ghost. God, I've been saved longer than Ghost. God, I've been saved longer than they have. How'd they get the Holy they have. How'd they get the Holy they have. How'd they get the Holy Ghost? And I left angry. But all of a Ghost? And I left angry. But all of a Ghost? And I left angry. But all of a sudden, the spirit of the God, he knew I sudden, the spirit of the God, he knew I sudden, the spirit of the God, he knew I was young, immature. He be he be was young, immature. He be he be was young, immature. He be he be immediately told me what I needed to do. immediately told me what I needed to do. immediately told me what I needed to do. He said, "You need to fast. He said, "You need to fast. He said, "You need to fast. There's a there's a reason for fasting." And and again, uh so I didn't get And and again, uh so I didn't get baptized of the Holy Ghost in a church baptized of the Holy Ghost in a church baptized of the Holy Ghost in a church service. I got baptized in the Holy service. I got baptized in the Holy service. I got baptized in the Holy Ghost laying in my bed in an old country Ghost laying in my bed in an old country Ghost laying in my bed in an old country house worshiping, magnifying, and house worshiping, magnifying, and house worshiping, magnifying, and praising the Lord. praising the Lord. praising the Lord. He desires to send the Holy Ghost, but He desires to send the Holy Ghost, but He desires to send the Holy Ghost, but we got to give him a sacrifice. Now, we got to give him a sacrifice. Now, we got to give him a sacrifice. Now, that fire of God in our lives, how do we that fire of God in our lives, how do we that fire of God in our lives, how do we tend it? The first thing you do is you tend it? The first thing you do is you tend it? The first thing you do is you got putting wood on it is, this is a got putting wood on it is, this is a got putting wood on it is, this is a word people don't like, disciplines. word people don't like, disciplines. word people don't like, disciplines. Two words that people don't like. You Two words that people don't like. You Two words that people don't like. You can talk to them and you'll find out can talk to them and you'll find out can talk to them and you'll find out quick. Commitment quick. Commitment quick. Commitment and discipline. They don't like it. and discipline. They don't like it. and discipline. They don't like it. Well, I'll try. No, you're not Well, I'll try. No, you're not Well, I'll try. No, you're not committed. committed. committed. I'll try. You're not committed. Your I'll try. You're not committed. Your I'll try. You're not committed. Your mind's not made up. There's still room mind's not made up. There's still room mind's not made up. There's still room for the devil to talk you out of it. So for the devil to talk you out of it. So for the devil to talk you out of it. So again, commitment and discipline. There again, commitment and discipline. There again, commitment and discipline. There are disciplines in this walk to maintain are disciplines in this walk to maintain are disciplines in this walk to maintain this fire I'm talking about this this fire I'm talking about this this fire I'm talking about this morning. One being prayer. Brother morning. One being prayer. Brother morning. One being prayer. Brother Hunt's preached on it. He's cried over Hunt's preached on it. He's cried over Hunt's preached on it. He's cried over it. Other preachers have preached on it. it. Other preachers have preached on it. it. Other preachers have preached on it. Prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting. And again, I'm not going to ask no And again, I'm not going to ask no And again, I'm not going to ask no hands. God knows you where you are this hands. God knows you where you are this hands. God knows you where you are this morning. And you know where you are in morning. And you know where you are in morning. And you know where you are in your prayer life. How many hours a week your prayer life. How many hours a week your prayer life. How many hours a week do you pray? How many minutes a week do do you pray? How many minutes a week do do you pray? How many minutes a week do you pray? That's a good indication in you pray? That's a good indication in you pray? That's a good indication in looking at a mirror, examining yourself looking at a mirror, examining yourself looking at a mirror, examining yourself to see whether you really be of the to see whether you really be of the to see whether you really be of the faith or not. A prayer. A man or woman faith or not. A prayer. A man or woman faith or not. A prayer. A man or woman that's not praying, they're playing. And that's not praying, they're playing. And that's not praying, they're playing. And that goes back to that dead dry that goes back to that dead dry that goes back to that dead dry religion. That goes back to what I'm religion. That goes back to what I'm religion. That goes back to what I'm talking about. But here's the secret to talking about. But here's the secret to talking about. But here's the secret to prayer. The secret to prayer is when prayer. The secret to prayer is when prayer. The secret to prayer is when when God puts that love in your heart when God puts that love in your heart when God puts that love in your heart and that zeal for him. Prayer is not a and that zeal for him. Prayer is not a and that zeal for him. Prayer is not a duty. Prayer is not something I dread. duty. Prayer is not something I dread. duty. Prayer is not something I dread. The flesh might don't like it, but but The flesh might don't like it, but but The flesh might don't like it, but but there's enough zeal that I look forward there's enough zeal that I look forward there's enough zeal that I look forward to going to the prayer closet. There's to going to the prayer closet. There's to going to the prayer closet. There's enough zeal I can't wait to get to the enough zeal I can't wait to get to the enough zeal I can't wait to get to the prayer closet. It shouldn't be a task. prayer closet. It shouldn't be a task. prayer closet. It shouldn't be a task. It shouldn't be a duty. It should be a It shouldn't be a duty. It should be a It shouldn't be a duty. It should be a place where you're walking with him in place where you're walking with him in place where you're walking with him in the garden. Again, remember Adam and the garden. Again, remember Adam and the garden. Again, remember Adam and Eve, they walked with God in the cool of Eve, they walked with God in the cool of Eve, they walked with God in the cool of the day in the garden. You know what the day in the garden. You know what the day in the garden. You know what God's will is for you and God's will is God's will is for you and God's will is God's will is for you and God's will is for me? And that's to walk in the garden for me? And that's to walk in the garden for me? And that's to walk in the garden with him. To walk with him hand in hand. with him. To walk with him hand in hand. with him. To walk with him hand in hand. Heart join the heart. That's God's will Heart join the heart. That's God's will Heart join the heart. That's God's will for my life and your life this morning. for my life and your life this morning. for my life and your life this morning. And uh so prayer is nothing more than And uh so prayer is nothing more than And uh so prayer is nothing more than walking in the garden. I tell my wife, walking in the garden. I tell my wife, walking in the garden. I tell my wife, we're at home. I said, I'm going back we're at home. I said, I'm going back we're at home. I said, I'm going back here to walk in the garden. She knows here to walk in the garden. She knows here to walk in the garden. She knows what I'm talking about. It's a love. It's a love. People have made it legalistic by I got People have made it legalistic by I got People have made it legalistic by I got to read three chapters a day. I gotta to read three chapters a day. I gotta to read three chapters a day. I gotta say my prayer. Okay, I've done it. say my prayer. Okay, I've done it. say my prayer. Okay, I've done it. That's not relationship. That's not relationship. That's not relationship. That's equivalent to me saying, "Well, I That's equivalent to me saying, "Well, I That's equivalent to me saying, "Well, I guess I got to kiss my wife this guess I got to kiss my wife this guess I got to kiss my wife this morning. That's what I'm supposed to do morning. That's what I'm supposed to do morning. That's what I'm supposed to do as a husband." How how well would that as a husband." How how well would that as a husband." How how well would that go over? go over? go over? How well would that go over with you? How well would that go over with you? How well would that go over with you? Well, we're treating God the same way. Well, we're treating God the same way. Well, we're treating God the same way. Well, I got to go pray. I got to read my Well, I got to go pray. I got to read my Well, I got to go pray. I got to read my Bible. Bible. Bible. Let's fall in love. Let's fall in love. Let's fall in love. Let's fall in love. Let's fall in love. Let's fall in love. That first love that you had and I had That first love that you had and I had That first love that you had and I had when we were saved. Fall in love. Prayer when we were saved. Fall in love. Prayer when we were saved. Fall in love. Prayer is not a duty. It's a privilege. Prayer is not a duty. It's a privilege. Prayer is not a duty. It's a privilege. Prayer is not a duty. It's a privilege. Do you is not a duty. It's a privilege. Do you is not a duty. It's a privilege. Do you realize before Christ uh died uh and realize before Christ uh died uh and realize before Christ uh died uh and resurrected and ascended, people could resurrected and ascended, people could resurrected and ascended, people could not go into the Holy of Holies? I I'm not go into the Holy of Holies? I I'm not go into the Holy of Holies? I I'm sure they longed to go in there just to sure they longed to go in there just to sure they longed to go in there just to see what it was like, to see what his see what it was like, to see what his see what it was like, to see what his presence, direct presence was really presence, direct presence was really presence, direct presence was really alike, but they could not go in uh for alike, but they could not go in uh for alike, but they could not go in uh for centuries and centuries. They could not centuries and centuries. They could not centuries and centuries. They could not go in the holy of holies. today because go in the holy of holies. today because go in the holy of holies. today because of the blood of Jesus Christ uh being of the blood of Jesus Christ uh being of the blood of Jesus Christ uh being the perfect burnt offering once and for the perfect burnt offering once and for the perfect burnt offering once and for all the sacrifice uh when you go into all the sacrifice uh when you go into all the sacrifice uh when you go into that when that room uh and you walk in that when that room uh and you walk in that when that room uh and you walk in the garden what you're doing is uh the garden what you're doing is uh the garden what you're doing is uh you're going into the very presence of you're going into the very presence of you're going into the very presence of the holy of holies made possible through the holy of holies made possible through the holy of holies made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ prayer is not the blood of Jesus Christ prayer is not the blood of Jesus Christ prayer is not a duty it is a privilege thank you Lord thank you Lord the next discipline to maintain our fire the next discipline to maintain our fire the next discipline to maintain our fire end our fire scripture study. end our fire scripture study. end our fire scripture study. John 5:39-41 says, "Search the John 5:39-41 says, "Search the John 5:39-41 says, "Search the scriptures, for in them you think you scriptures, for in them you think you scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and they are they have eternal life, and they are they have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." That that should which testify of me." That that should which testify of me." That that should make us shake in our boots. When he make us shake in our boots. When he make us shake in our boots. When he says, "You search those scriptures, you says, "You search those scriptures, you says, "You search those scriptures, you think you have eternal life, think you have eternal life, think you have eternal life, but these these scriptures are those but these these scriptures are those but these these scriptures are those that testify of me." And he was talking that testify of me." And he was talking that testify of me." And he was talking to unbelieving Jews. But today we have to unbelieving Jews. But today we have to unbelieving Jews. But today we have that dead dry no fire religion that dead dry no fire religion that dead dry no fire religion that I'm was talking about earlier that I'm was talking about earlier that I'm was talking about earlier that he says you search those scriptures that he says you search those scriptures that he says you search those scriptures in them you think you have eternal life. in them you think you have eternal life. in them you think you have eternal life. There's people that think they have There's people that think they have There's people that think they have eternal life and they don't because eternal life and they don't because eternal life and they don't because they're not in the word of God. They they're not in the word of God. They they're not in the word of God. They really don't know who God is or what he really don't know who God is or what he really don't know who God is or what he speaks because they're not in the word. speaks because they're not in the word. speaks because they're not in the word. They go by what people say and people's They go by what people say and people's They go by what people say and people's opinion and the devil gives them their opinion and the devil gives them their opinion and the devil gives them their own opinion and they form their theology own opinion and they form their theology own opinion and they form their theology based on opinion and not not the word of based on opinion and not not the word of based on opinion and not not the word of God that's happening daily search the scriptures. How do you daily search the scriptures. How do you know that people think they're saved? know that people think they're saved? know that people think they're saved? Well, you remember Jesus said in that Well, you remember Jesus said in that Well, you remember Jesus said in that day they'll say Lord Lord have we not day they'll say Lord Lord have we not day they'll say Lord Lord have we not cast out devils in your name? Have we cast out devils in your name? Have we cast out devils in your name? Have we not laid hands on the sick never not laid hands on the sick never not laid hands on the sick never recover? And he said I'll uh depart from recover? And he said I'll uh depart from recover? And he said I'll uh depart from me for I never knew you you that me for I never knew you you that me for I never knew you you that workketh of iniquity iniquity. So again, workketh of iniquity iniquity. So again, workketh of iniquity iniquity. So again, we see in the Bible, he we need to get we see in the Bible, he we need to get we see in the Bible, he we need to get in the word of God. We need to to pray, in the word of God. We need to to pray, in the word of God. We need to to pray, but we needed to get in the word of God. but we needed to get in the word of God. but we needed to get in the word of God. Why? To get to know this God that we You Why? To get to know this God that we You Why? To get to know this God that we You can't love somebody you don't know. You cannot maintain a relationship, a You cannot maintain a relationship, a loving relationship with anybody that loving relationship with anybody that loving relationship with anybody that you do not know. And when you get saved, you do not know. And when you get saved, you do not know. And when you get saved, you I didn't know a thing. Very little. you I didn't know a thing. Very little. you I didn't know a thing. Very little. Didn't know a thing to get saved. But Didn't know a thing to get saved. But Didn't know a thing to get saved. But once that fire is kindled, then God once that fire is kindled, then God once that fire is kindled, then God expects us to get to know who he is and expects us to get to know who he is and expects us to get to know who he is and draw close to him in this relationship draw close to him in this relationship draw close to him in this relationship and in this union. And the only way we and in this union. And the only way we and in this union. And the only way we can do this is through prayer and study can do this is through prayer and study can do this is through prayer and study of his word. His word is powerful. of his word. His word is powerful. of his word. His word is powerful. Understand that this is not letters on Understand that this is not letters on Understand that this is not letters on paper. [clears throat] He said this is paper. [clears throat] He said this is paper. [clears throat] He said this is it's quick. It's powerful. Quick means it's quick. It's powerful. Quick means it's quick. It's powerful. Quick means alive. This word is alive this morning. alive. This word is alive this morning. alive. This word is alive this morning. It's a living organism. It's the living It's a living organism. It's the living It's a living organism. It's the living breathing word of God. And when it gets breathing word of God. And when it gets breathing word of God. And when it gets in a heart and penetrates a heart, it in a heart and penetrates a heart, it in a heart and penetrates a heart, it will change that heart. It'll have an will change that heart. It'll have an will change that heart. It'll have an effect in my life and your life. Uh I effect in my life and your life. Uh I effect in my life and your life. Uh I read this Bible and begin to read it or read this Bible and begin to read it or read this Bible and begin to read it or or study it and slow down and God will or study it and slow down and God will or study it and slow down and God will speak to me and show me things I haven't speak to me and show me things I haven't speak to me and show me things I haven't seen before as many times as I have read seen before as many times as I have read seen before as many times as I have read it or like thereof. Uh it'll come out on it or like thereof. Uh it'll come out on it or like thereof. Uh it'll come out on the page to me. When you need something the page to me. When you need something the page to me. When you need something in the word of God and you're reading, in the word of God and you're reading, in the word of God and you're reading, God will bring it out and it becomes God will bring it out and it becomes God will bring it out and it becomes life to you. It comes off the page. It life to you. It comes off the page. It life to you. It comes off the page. It becomes a part of who you are. It'll becomes a part of who you are. It'll becomes a part of who you are. It'll encourage you. It'll strengthen you. encourage you. It'll strengthen you. encourage you. It'll strengthen you. It'll give you the strength to keep It'll give you the strength to keep It'll give you the strength to keep going on and to keep going forward. going on and to keep going forward. going on and to keep going forward. That's the power of the living word of That's the power of the living word of That's the power of the living word of God. David knew of the importance. He said, David knew of the importance. He said, "Lord, I might hide thy word in my heart "Lord, I might hide thy word in my heart "Lord, I might hide thy word in my heart or thy word in my heart that I might not or thy word in my heart that I might not or thy word in my heart that I might not sin against you." sin against you." sin against you." The L the word is alive. It nourishes The L the word is alive. It nourishes The L the word is alive. It nourishes the soul. the soul. the soul. The third third and last thing we got to The third third and last thing we got to The third third and last thing we got to do to tend our fire, do to tend our fire, do to tend our fire, worship. [clears throat] Worship. Worship. Some people have a misconception that Some people have a misconception that Some people have a misconception that you worship only when you come to you worship only when you come to you worship only when you come to church. God, church. God, church. God, if I don't worship at home, I'm not if I don't worship at home, I'm not if I don't worship at home, I'm not going I'm not going to worship here. going I'm not going to worship here. going I'm not going to worship here. That's why people That's why you don't That's why people That's why you don't That's why people That's why you don't see people lift hands and and worship see people lift hands and and worship see people lift hands and and worship and and glorify God here because they and and glorify God here because they and and glorify God here because they don't do it at home because that fire is don't do it at home because that fire is don't do it at home because that fire is not there. The religion is worship. How many of you been going worship. How many of you been going through something and going through and through something and going through and through something and going through and and several of you have been through a and several of you have been through a and several of you have been through a lot of things and we in in the last few lot of things and we in in the last few lot of things and we in in the last few months only God know brother and sister months only God know brother and sister months only God know brother and sister Walker only God knows. Walker only God knows. Walker only God knows. Brother Fletcher, Sister Sheila, only Brother Fletcher, Sister Sheila, only Brother Fletcher, Sister Sheila, only God knows. God knows. God knows. But God's with them and he's been with But God's with them and he's been with But God's with them and he's been with them and he's been faithful to them. them and he's been faithful to them. them and he's been faithful to them. They're sitting here this morning. Only They're sitting here this morning. Only They're sitting here this morning. Only God knows. God knows. God knows. But you can ask those who have been But you can ask those who have been But you can ask those who have been through something. There's times they through something. There's times they through something. There's times they just begin, they don't understand it. It just begin, they don't understand it. It just begin, they don't understand it. It feels like their breasts been knocked feels like their breasts been knocked feels like their breasts been knocked out of them, but they just begin to out of them, but they just begin to out of them, but they just begin to worship. Something about something about ra Something about something about ra lifting up holy hands without wrath or lifting up holy hands without wrath or lifting up holy hands without wrath or doubting, made holy by the blood of doubting, made holy by the blood of doubting, made holy by the blood of Christ, saying, "God, my trust is in Christ, saying, "God, my trust is in Christ, saying, "God, my trust is in you. you. you. My faith is in you, even though I don't My faith is in you, even though I don't My faith is in you, even though I don't understand." understand." understand." But when you lift those hands, so you But when you lift those hands, so you But when you lift those hands, so you leave that room with encouragement you leave that room with encouragement you leave that room with encouragement you didn't have when you got in that room. didn't have when you got in that room. didn't have when you got in that room. Right, brother Karen? Right, Sister Right, brother Karen? Right, Sister Right, brother Karen? Right, Sister Sheila? You live you leave that room Sheila? You live you leave that room Sheila? You live you leave that room with encouragement and strength with encouragement and strength with encouragement and strength through worship. There's times in your through worship. There's times in your through worship. There's times in your prayer life, my wife and I were talking prayer life, my wife and I were talking prayer life, my wife and I were talking about it and she asked me a question. Is about it and she asked me a question. Is about it and she asked me a question. Is anything wrong when you're praying that anything wrong when you're praying that anything wrong when you're praying that all you do is worship? I said, oh no. all you do is worship? I said, oh no. all you do is worship? I said, oh no. There's times in my my my my hour of There's times in my my my my hour of There's times in my my my my hour of prayer may consist of nothing but prayer may consist of nothing but prayer may consist of nothing but worship. I'm still I'm I'm I'm walking worship. I'm still I'm I'm I'm walking worship. I'm still I'm I'm I'm walking with him. I'm walking in the garden. I'm with him. I'm walking in the garden. I'm with him. I'm walking in the garden. I'm walking in the garden. There's no form walking in the garden. There's no form walking in the garden. There's no form and fashion to prayer is pouring your and fashion to prayer is pouring your and fashion to prayer is pouring your heart out before God. Spending time with him, letting his fire Spending time with him, letting his fire do a work in you. do a work in you. do a work in you. Walking in the garden. Walking in the garden. Walking in the garden. So, we've got we talked about the fire So, we've got we talked about the fire So, we've got we talked about the fire being kindled. talked about tending the being kindled. talked about tending the being kindled. talked about tending the fire. The last point I'm going to make fire. The last point I'm going to make fire. The last point I'm going to make here briefly is the fire must be here briefly is the fire must be here briefly is the fire must be protected. protected. protected. Fire must be protected. Fire must be protected. Fire must be protected. If rain starts coming If rain starts coming If rain starts coming you build a fire, you got the fuel, you build a fire, you got the fuel, you build a fire, you got the fuel, you're ting it, that rain starts coming, you're ting it, that rain starts coming, you're ting it, that rain starts coming, you got to do something to protect that you got to do something to protect that you got to do something to protect that fire. You got to get some kind of fire. You got to get some kind of fire. You got to get some kind of shelter over it because that rain is shelter over it because that rain is shelter over it because that rain is going to put it out. So, you've got to going to put it out. So, you've got to going to put it out. So, you've got to protect the fire. And what do you mean protect the fire. And what do you mean protect the fire. And what do you mean protect our spiritual fire? You got to protect our spiritual fire? You got to protect our spiritual fire? You got to guard against a few things. The first guard against a few things. The first guard against a few things. The first thing we've got to guard against is thing we've got to guard against is thing we've got to guard against is spiritual coldness. And that's the spiritual coldness. And that's the spiritual coldness. And that's the purpose of this whole sermon this purpose of this whole sermon this purpose of this whole sermon this morning. You got to guard against morning. You got to guard against morning. You got to guard against spiritual coldness. spiritual coldness. spiritual coldness. It's easy to get. It's easy to happen. It's easy to get. It's easy to happen. It's easy to get. It's easy to happen. And we've all dealt with it. I can speak And we've all dealt with it. I can speak And we've all dealt with it. I can speak for me. Dealt with it. We've got to for me. Dealt with it. We've got to for me. Dealt with it. We've got to guard this fire. guard this fire. guard this fire. You got to avoid sin. You got to avoid You got to avoid sin. You got to avoid You got to avoid sin. You got to avoid distractions. distractions. distractions. You got to avoid negative influences. You got to avoid negative influences. You got to avoid negative influences. You've got to avoid bitterness that can You've got to avoid bitterness that can You've got to avoid bitterness that can quench the fire. quench the fire. quench the fire. Water quenches a fire. Sin is likened to Water quenches a fire. Sin is likened to Water quenches a fire. Sin is likened to water to your fire. water to your fire. water to your fire. Doubt, unbelief is likened water into Doubt, unbelief is likened water into Doubt, unbelief is likened water into your fire. We got to guard. We got to protect it. 1 We got to guard. We got to protect it. 1 Thessalonians 5:19, four short words, Thessalonians 5:19, four short words, Thessalonians 5:19, four short words, but powerful words. Quench not the but powerful words. Quench not the but powerful words. Quench not the spirit. spirit. spirit. That's what he's talking about. Keep That's what he's talking about. Keep That's what he's talking about. Keep your fire burning. When the spirit moves your fire burning. When the spirit moves your fire burning. When the spirit moves on you, move with the spirit. When the on you, move with the spirit. When the on you, move with the spirit. When the spirit draws you to there's times spirit draws you to there's times spirit draws you to there's times there's times that I hadn't I hadn't there's times that I hadn't I hadn't there's times that I hadn't I hadn't prayed yet. I was going to pray, but prayed yet. I was going to pray, but prayed yet. I was going to pray, but there's times I felt God drawing me to there's times I felt God drawing me to there's times I felt God drawing me to go pray. Right now, right here, right go pray. Right now, right here, right go pray. Right now, right here, right there. there. there. Follow the spirit. When you got a Follow the spirit. When you got a Follow the spirit. When you got a prompting going, urging, follow the prompting going, urging, follow the prompting going, urging, follow the spirit. Don't quench the spirit. The spirit. Don't quench the spirit. The spirit. Don't quench the spirit. The Holy Ghost is like a dwelling fire in Holy Ghost is like a dwelling fire in Holy Ghost is like a dwelling fire in each believer. Paul is cautioning Christ each believer. Paul is cautioning Christ each believer. Paul is cautioning Christ cautioning Christians with these four cautioning Christians with these four cautioning Christians with these four words not to suppress the fire of God's words not to suppress the fire of God's words not to suppress the fire of God's spirit that burns within us. spirit that burns within us. spirit that burns within us. Do not quench the spirit. Do not quench the spirit. Do not quench the spirit. Sin, doubt, hard hearts can stop the Sin, doubt, hard hearts can stop the Sin, doubt, hard hearts can stop the spirit's fire from burning in a person's spirit's fire from burning in a person's spirit's fire from burning in a person's life or a church. life or a church. life or a church. Or a church. Brother Hunt's been Or a church. Brother Hunt's been Or a church. Brother Hunt's been preaching sin in the camp. If if you are preaching sin in the camp. If if you are preaching sin in the camp. If if you are if you are a undercover sinner if you are a undercover sinner if you are a undercover sinner dressing as a saint, dressing as a saint, dressing as a saint, you're not only quenching your fire, you're not only quenching your fire, you're not only quenching your fire, you're hindering the fires moving in the you're hindering the fires moving in the you're hindering the fires moving in the whole congregation. whole congregation. whole congregation. That's a dangerous place to be. And I'm That's a dangerous place to be. And I'm That's a dangerous place to be. And I'm not talking about people struggling. not talking about people struggling. not talking about people struggling. They keep coming down here and they keep They keep coming down here and they keep They keep coming down here and they keep praying and and and they're struggling, praying and and and they're struggling, praying and and and they're struggling, but God's helping them. I'm not talking but God's helping them. I'm not talking but God's helping them. I'm not talking about I'm talking about an undercover about I'm talking about an undercover about I'm talking about an undercover sinner. One who knows they're sinning. sinner. One who knows they're sinning. sinner. One who knows they're sinning. They're willfully sinning. They have no They're willfully sinning. They have no They're willfully sinning. They have no desire to change. That's an undercover desire to change. That's an undercover desire to change. That's an undercover sinner. That kind that that that kind of sinner. That kind that that that kind of sinner. That kind that that that kind of spirit puts a hinder and a damper on spirit puts a hinder and a damper on spirit puts a hinder and a damper on what God's trying to do. Sin in the camp what God's trying to do. Sin in the camp what God's trying to do. Sin in the camp just like Achen sin caused the whole just like Achen sin caused the whole just like Achen sin caused the whole nation of Israel. So again, we got to be nation of Israel. So again, we got to be nation of Israel. So again, we got to be careful that we don't let these things careful that we don't let these things careful that we don't let these things quench our spirit. Uh the the ne other quench our spirit. Uh the the ne other quench our spirit. Uh the the ne other thing we have to do to guard against thing we have to do to guard against thing we have to do to guard against spiritual coldness, Proverbs 4:23, keep spiritual coldness, Proverbs 4:23, keep spiritual coldness, Proverbs 4:23, keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of thy heart with all diligence, for out of thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Memorize that it are the issues of life. Memorize that it are the issues of life. Memorize that scripture. Keep thy heart with all scripture. Keep thy heart with all scripture. Keep thy heart with all diligence. All diligence. For out of it diligence. All diligence. For out of it diligence. All diligence. For out of it are the issues of life. The heart is the are the issues of life. The heart is the are the issues of life. The heart is the seed of the emotions. The heart is the seed of the emotions. The heart is the seed of the emotions. The heart is the conscious. It's the is the spirit man conscious. It's the is the spirit man conscious. It's the is the spirit man that God uh communes with man through that God uh communes with man through that God uh communes with man through his spirit. Spirit to spirit. That is his spirit. Spirit to spirit. That is his spirit. Spirit to spirit. That is the heart. And we're to keep it with all the heart. And we're to keep it with all the heart. And we're to keep it with all diligence. As I told you earlier, the diligence. As I told you earlier, the diligence. As I told you earlier, the devil has a plan for you. God has a will devil has a plan for you. God has a will devil has a plan for you. God has a will for you. The devil has a plan for you. for you. The devil has a plan for you. for you. The devil has a plan for you. And the devil's plan for you is to draw And the devil's plan for you is to draw And the devil's plan for you is to draw your to put your fire out. How does he your to put your fire out. How does he your to put your fire out. How does he put your fire out? He'll draw your put your fire out? He'll draw your put your fire out? He'll draw your affection affection affection to something else. to something else. to something else. He'll draw your affection to a person. He'll draw your affection to a person. He'll draw your affection to a person. He'll draw your affection to this world. He'll draw your affection to this world. He'll draw your affection to this world. He'll draw your affection to the things He'll draw your affection to the things He'll draw your affection to the things of this world. You've got to guard your of this world. You've got to guard your of this world. You've got to guard your heart. You've got to keep it. That's heart. You've got to keep it. That's heart. You've got to keep it. That's what it means to keep thy heart. You got what it means to keep thy heart. You got what it means to keep thy heart. You got to guard it and realize the heart is to guard it and realize the heart is to guard it and realize the heart is deceitful above all things and deceitful above all things and deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it. We desperately wicked who can know it. We desperately wicked who can know it. We all live in a body of flesh. Uh and if all live in a body of flesh. Uh and if all live in a body of flesh. Uh and if we don't if we negate the fire and we we don't if we negate the fire and we we don't if we negate the fire and we don't tend to fire and we don't do the don't tend to fire and we don't do the don't tend to fire and we don't do the things that God has told us to do this things that God has told us to do this things that God has told us to do this morning, then we're subject of of of morning, then we're subject of of of morning, then we're subject of of of being just as big a sinner as anybody being just as big a sinner as anybody being just as big a sinner as anybody else. else. else. You live in a body of flesh. You got to You live in a body of flesh. You got to You live in a body of flesh. You got to keep that flesh crucified. So we're all keep that flesh crucified. So we're all keep that flesh crucified. So we're all not Nobody's above what I'm telling you not Nobody's above what I'm telling you not Nobody's above what I'm telling you this morning. Nobody's above when they this morning. Nobody's above when they this morning. Nobody's above when they get a little slack. All of a sudden, get a little slack. All of a sudden, get a little slack. All of a sudden, something else looks a little more something else looks a little more something else looks a little more interesting. I think I'll go to the ball interesting. I think I'll go to the ball interesting. I think I'll go to the ball game instead of church because now that game instead of church because now that game instead of church because now that ball game is more interesting to me and ball game is more interesting to me and ball game is more interesting to me and it's bigger fire to me than God is a it's bigger fire to me than God is a it's bigger fire to me than God is a fire to me. Oh, I think I'll I think I fire to me. Oh, I think I'll I think I fire to me. Oh, I think I'll I think I won't go to church today. I I'll try to won't go to church today. I I'll try to won't go to church today. I I'll try to rest up so I can go this evening. So, rest up so I can go this evening. So, rest up so I can go this evening. So, again, we've got to keep our heart uh be again, we've got to keep our heart uh be again, we've got to keep our heart uh be aware of the enemy trying to draw you aware of the enemy trying to draw you aware of the enemy trying to draw you away from God. He's trying to he he away from God. He's trying to he he away from God. He's trying to he he tries to do that with doubt. It's not tries to do that with doubt. It's not tries to do that with doubt. It's not just a sin, a physical sin. He'll try to just a sin, a physical sin. He'll try to just a sin, a physical sin. He'll try to draw you away from God with your with draw you away from God with your with draw you away from God with your with doubt, with unbelief. He'll try to draw doubt, with unbelief. He'll try to draw doubt, with unbelief. He'll try to draw you away from God with discouragement, you away from God with discouragement, you away from God with discouragement, with oppression, with depression, and with oppression, with depression, and with oppression, with depression, and those things he uses upon the mind to those things he uses upon the mind to those things he uses upon the mind to try to draw the saint of God away from try to draw the saint of God away from try to draw the saint of God away from God. Because if I begin to doubt in my God. Because if I begin to doubt in my God. Because if I begin to doubt in my fire, then my fire is going to go out. And somebody would come play. Sister And somebody would come play. Sister Dave, she's still here. We got to keep our heart with all We got to keep our heart with all diligence. How do you do that? Some some diligence. How do you do that? Some some diligence. How do you do that? Some some ways you do that. Be aware of what you ways you do that. Be aware of what you ways you do that. Be aware of what you look at. look at. look at. Your eyes are witness to your soul. Be Your eyes are witness to your soul. Be Your eyes are witness to your soul. Be aware of what your ears hear. Little aware of what your ears hear. Little aware of what your ears hear. Little children. Be aware of the company you keep. Little Be aware of the company you keep. Little children. children. children. Be aware of negative thinking, Be aware of negative thinking, Be aware of negative thinking, little children. little children. little children. Brother Joe made a profound statement. I Brother Joe made a profound statement. I Brother Joe made a profound statement. I told him this morning I was going to use told him this morning I was going to use told him this morning I was going to use it. Brother Joe made a profound it. Brother Joe made a profound it. Brother Joe made a profound statement for those that are here statement for those that are here statement for those that are here Tuesday night. He Brother Joe preached Tuesday night. He Brother Joe preached Tuesday night. He Brother Joe preached Tuesday night. Wonderful message. Tuesday night. Wonderful message. Tuesday night. Wonderful message. And he said this, "If you don't bring And he said this, "If you don't bring And he said this, "If you don't bring that thought into captivity, [music] that thought into captivity, [music] that thought into captivity, [music] it'll bring you into captivity." I don't it'll bring you into captivity." I don't it'll bring you into captivity." I don't know if anybody remembers that, but God know if anybody remembers that, but God know if anybody remembers that, but God God spoke volumes to me with that God spoke volumes to me with that God spoke volumes to me with that statement he made. statement he made. statement he made. The mind is the battlefield. He said, The mind is the battlefield. He said, The mind is the battlefield. He said, "Casting down imaginations that exalt "Casting down imaginations that exalt "Casting down imaginations that exalt [music] themselves against God and [music] themselves against God and [music] themselves against God and bringing every thought into captivity bringing every thought into captivity bringing every thought into captivity unto what? The obedience of Christ to unto what? The obedience of Christ to unto what? The obedience of Christ to the word of God." If you don't if we the word of God." If you don't if we the word of God." If you don't if we don't understand don't understand don't understand how to grab that thought how to grab that thought how to grab that thought and capture it, and capture it, and capture it, it'll capture us. it'll capture us. it'll capture us. If you don't bring it into captivity, If you don't bring it into captivity, If you don't bring it into captivity, it'll bring you into captivity. it'll bring you into captivity. it'll bring you into captivity. The next thing you know, you're defeated The next thing you know, you're defeated The next thing you know, you're defeated and your head's down. And I'm not and and your head's down. And I'm not and and your head's down. And I'm not and I'm trying to encourage and help someone I'm trying to encourage and help someone I'm trying to encourage and help someone this morning understanding the battle. this morning understanding the battle. this morning understanding the battle. This is a call to mental discipline. This is a call to mental discipline. This is a call to mental discipline. You've got to filter and choose what you You've got to filter and choose what you You've got to filter and choose what you look at, what you hear, how you spend look at, what you hear, how you spend look at, what you hear, how you spend your time. your time. your time. If I'm spending five hours watching TV, If I'm spending five hours watching TV, If I'm spending five hours watching TV, four hours on the phone, and I'm four hours on the phone, and I'm four hours on the phone, and I'm spending 15 minutes with God, there's a spending 15 minutes with God, there's a spending 15 minutes with God, there's a problem with that. problem with that. problem with that. I can't have a fire. I can play one. I I can't have a fire. I can play one. I I can't have a fire. I can play one. I can't have a fire with that kind of can't have a fire with that kind of can't have a fire with that kind of [music] time. So this is the things we [music] time. So this is the things we [music] time. So this is the things we do to keep our heart with all diligence. do to keep our heart with all diligence. do to keep our heart with all diligence. All diligence means you be alert. All diligence means you be alert. All diligence means you be alert. Remember what remember what the Bible Remember what remember what the Bible Remember what remember what the Bible said Jesus said be sober. Be vigilant. said Jesus said be sober. Be vigilant. said Jesus said be sober. Be vigilant. That word sober there is mean attentive. That word sober there is mean attentive. That word sober there is mean attentive. Alert. Alert. Alert. It's not just alcohol. Attentive and It's not just alcohol. Attentive and It's not just alcohol. Attentive and alert. alert. alert. Be sober. Be vigilant. for your Be sober. Be vigilant. for your Be sober. Be vigilant. for your adversary the devil roamth around as a adversary the devil roamth around as a adversary the devil roamth around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. So the the Jesus has already warned us So the the Jesus has already warned us So the the Jesus has already warned us of the plan of the devil. He's already of the plan of the devil. He's already of the plan of the devil. He's already told us to be sober and vigilant. What told us to be sober and vigilant. What told us to be sober and vigilant. What was he saying? He was saying keep thy was he saying? He was saying keep thy was he saying? He was saying keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it heart with all diligence for out of it heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life. That's what he are the issues of life. That's what he are the issues of life. That's what he was saying. Same thing, same message, was saying. Same thing, same message, was saying. Same thing, same message, a call to mental discipline. Here's the a call to mental discipline. Here's the a call to mental discipline. Here's the answer. So you you need to write this answer. So you you need to write this answer. So you you need to write this scripture down and read it. When if scripture down and read it. When if scripture down and read it. When if you're dealing with discouragement, you're dealing with discouragement, you're dealing with discouragement, negative thinking, and oppression, we negative thinking, and oppression, we negative thinking, and oppression, we all deal with it. We look, I've had the all deal with it. We look, I've had the all deal with it. We look, I've had the spirit of discouragement. [music] spirit of discouragement. [music] spirit of discouragement. [music] I've had the spirit of oppression, I've had the spirit of oppression, I've had the spirit of oppression, depression try to settle in on me. It's depression try to settle in on me. It's depression try to settle in on me. It's real. Depression is [music] real. real. Depression is [music] real. real. Depression is [music] real. Oppression is real. It's a spiritual Oppression is real. It's a spiritual Oppression is real. It's a spiritual thing. thing. thing. It's real. It's real. It's real. But here's what Philippians 4:8. But here's what Philippians 4:8. But here's what Philippians 4:8. He said, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever He said, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever He said, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are things are true, whatsoever things are things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, honest, whatsoever things are just, honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are things are lovely, whatsoever things are things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, of good report, if there be any virtue, of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these if there be any praise, think on these if there be any praise, think on these things." things." things." Renewing the mind that you may prove Renewing the mind that you may prove Renewing the mind that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and what is that good, acceptable, and what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. We've got to renew perfect will of God. We've got to renew perfect will of God. We've got to renew our mind. We got to think on these our mind. We got to think on these our mind. We got to think on these things. Think on these things. We got to things. Think on these things. We got to things. Think on these things. We got to take and that we got to take that take and that we got to take that take and that we got to take that thought that wants to bring fear or thought that wants to bring fear or thought that wants to bring fear or discouragement and bring it back to the discouragement and bring it back to the discouragement and bring it back to the word of God and praise and worship and word of God and praise and worship and word of God and praise and worship and then go and getting some word in your then go and getting some word in your then go and getting some word in your heart, but don't sit there and let it heart, but don't sit there and let it heart, but don't sit there and let it overtake you. Some people are sitting overtake you. Some people are sitting overtake you. Some people are sitting there and they're letting oppression. there and they're letting oppression. there and they're letting oppression. They have no smile, no joy. They have no They have no smile, no joy. They have no They have no smile, no joy. They have no zeal for God, no fire whatsoever. It's because they've listened to the lie It's because they've listened to the lie of the devil. I told somebody one time, of the devil. I told somebody one time, of the devil. I told somebody one time, I said, "Here's the problem. The voice I said, "Here's the problem. The voice I said, "Here's the problem. The voice of the devil's louder to you than the of the devil's louder to you than the of the devil's louder to you than the voice of God." voice of God." voice of God." That's the problem. [music] That's the problem. [music] That's the problem. [music] The voice of Satan becomes louder than The voice of Satan becomes louder than The voice of Satan becomes louder than the voice of God. This word tells us the voice of God. This word tells us the voice of God. This word tells us [music] what to do. It tells us how to [music] what to do. It tells us how to [music] what to do. It tells us how to fight the spiritual warfare. It tells us fight the spiritual warfare. It tells us fight the spiritual warfare. It tells us how to win this spiritual warfare. In how to win this spiritual warfare. In how to win this spiritual warfare. In fact, you are fighting from a winning fact, you are fighting from a winning fact, you are fighting from a winning perspective. You're not fighting to win. perspective. You're not fighting to win. perspective. You're not fighting to win. You're on the winning side. This is it. [music] Don't let the This is it. [music] Don't let the enemy's voice become louder than God's enemy's voice become louder than God's enemy's voice become louder than God's voice. And when I begin to worry and voice. And when I begin to worry and voice. And when I begin to worry and stress and those [music] things, now I'm stress and those [music] things, now I'm stress and those [music] things, now I'm letting that voice become a little letting that voice become a little letting that voice become a little louder than what God tells me and what louder than what God tells me and what louder than what God tells me and what [music] he said. Encourage yourself in [music] he said. Encourage yourself in [music] he said. Encourage yourself in the Lord. There's times you got to the Lord. There's times you got to the Lord. There's times you got to encourage yourself. encourage yourself. encourage yourself. preacher can't do it. Your wife can't do preacher can't do it. Your wife can't do preacher can't do it. Your wife can't do it. Your husband can't do it. It's times it. Your husband can't do it. It's times it. Your husband can't do it. It's times you got to get right by yourself. You you got to get right by yourself. You you got to get right by yourself. You and God in the garden, walking in the and God in the garden, walking in the and God in the garden, walking in the garden and encourage yourself in him. garden and encourage yourself in him. garden and encourage yourself in him. We all got to do that. These I'm not We all got to do that. These I'm not We all got to do that. These I'm not giving a specific altar service. These giving a specific altar service. These giving a specific altar service. These are open to anybody like to come. Not are open to anybody like to come. Not are open to anybody like to come. Not going to ask you to stand. Just going to going to ask you to stand. Just going to going to ask you to stand. Just going to ask you [music] to come down if you if ask you [music] to come down if you if ask you [music] to come down if you if you'd like to come to this altar. Maybe you'd like to come to this altar. Maybe you'd like to come to this altar. Maybe you need your fire rekindled. Maybe you you need your fire rekindled. Maybe you you need your fire rekindled. Maybe you just need to add a little bit more wood just need to add a little bit more wood just need to add a little bit more wood to the fire. If your fire is good and to the fire. If your fire is good and to the fire. If your fire is good and you don't need to anything on your fire, you don't need to anything on your fire, you don't need to anything on your fire, then you don't need to come to then you don't need to come to then you don't need to come to [clears throat]