Stoking the Fire
2004040
Subject: 2526
Introduction
A. Christians have an opponent. An enemy. An adversary – 1 Pet. 5:8-9
1. Eph. 6:10-20 – Paul said we must prepare to stand against the wiles of the devil.
2. devil’s desire is to destroy the Christian. This congregation. All that is good.
B. Devil is persistent in his efforts.
1. not going to give up.
2. takes advantage of every opportunity.
3. Among the Arabs- devil is called El-hharrith which means “the active, busy one.” He’s constantly up to no good.
C. Sometimes, the relentless attacks take their toll.
1. individually. We get beat down by temptation, trial, and discouragement.
2. as a congregation. Congregations get beat down by problems. Cope w/change. Full of members with very busy lives.
3. full of members who have never been converted to Christ. They’ve just assumed their place because it’s the church they were raised in.
4. Brethren can become lethargic. Zeal seems to evaporate. What was once a roaring fire of enthusiasm for God, begins to wane and flicker into a low light.
D. How about us?
1. How would you describe your zeal for God? Enthusiastic because of your blessings in Christ? Motivated by an attitude of gratitude?
2. As a congregation – what is the level of zeal we possess?
3. enthusiastic about the upcoming seminar? The various work programs?
a) are we expending every effort to work to see our congregation grow & prosper?
4. How excited are we about:
a) How excited are we?
b) Volunteering; participation; hospitality; speaking well of one another?
c) Encouraging one another’s efforts? Praying for? Planning for the future?
5. Are we fully committed to sharing the bounty of our blessings with those who desperately need them?
a) Has our fire of enthusiasm begun to burn down?
E. How can we stoke the fire? We’ll talk about that today.
I. A look at 2 generations of Ephesians.
A. A look at the church at Ephesus in the beginning:
1. Got its start in Ax 18 w/help of Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila.
2. Paul would return on 3rd missionary journey & labor for 3 years. Congregation had a marvelous beginning!
B. Observe:
1. 19:9-10 – gospel went to all Asia while Paul taught here.
2. 19:11 – extraordinary miracles worked by Paul.
3. 19:17 – word of the Lord magnified in this area.
4. 19:18 – “kept coming” implies daily additions as in Acts 2:47
5. 19:20
6. Christianity had become so influential that idol worshippers were afraid entire city would convert to Christianity.
C. The Middle Period:
1. Picture of a mature congregation. Similar to many congregations today.
2. Paul seeks to remind them of who they were in chapter 1. (Chosen in Christ; redeemed; Heirs in Christ)
3. They needed to remember from where they came in chapter 2.
a) had been dead in sin; led by Satan; w/o God & hope.
4. They needed to focus on unity & continue imitating God & walk in love.
D. In the early & middle period we see a NT church filled with:
1. love; rich fellowship; joy
2. enthusiasm; hearty singing of praise to God.
3. prayer; concern for learning truth.
4. full of genuine repentance & vibrant evangelism…
E. But…now take a look at a congregation on the threshold of demise – when the 2nd generation of believers came into influence.
1. younger men & converts would now be teaching & helping w/in the congregation. What direction were they headed?
2. Rev. 2:3-7 – we see them still active – even decades later.
a) tremendous commendation!
b) Many churches last only 1-2 generations.
3. BUT…they left their first love. 2:3-4.
a) doing the right things – but Jesus addresses their motivation!
1. their heart wasn’t in it!
2. Actions were doing them no good!
b) This tells us zeal is not genetic! It must be taught & grown!
4. Told to repent – acknowledge sin & turn away.
a) Jesus not only wanted their actions – He wanted their heart behind the actions.
5. By the end of the 2nd century, the congregation would move into apostasy.
6. Which generation most closely parallels what we have in our congregation today? First, middle, or last?
F. What can we learn from the church at Ephesus?
II. We stoke the fire by moving with conviction and acting upon what we believe.
A. Conviction is what we do about what we believe!
1. it is motivating confidence.
2. it is more than just a firm belief – it requires something from us!
a) Acts 4:18-20 – was someone forcing them to preach?
b) Their conviction was forcing them!
c) Just couldn’t help telling others about Jesus – no matter what authorities said.
3. In fact, their conviction would lead them back to report what happened – then entire church prayed for boldness. Acts 4:23-31.
B. If a congregation is going to be successful – there must be no doubt that God will grant them success!
1. Mt. 21:21-22
2. Is this our conviction as a congregation?
3. Note: Jesus expresses what will happen through us if His power is combined with our assurance!
4. Why is it so tempting to understand this, and till utter the word, “but…”
C. Conviction is the confidence that we as a congregation WILL grow and thrive as long as we follow God’s plan for us!
1. We constantly battle pessimism.
2. Consider a theme that runs through Philippians.
a) everything Paul says is an effort to get them to see the positive side of things – to have confidence.
b) 1:6, 1:25; He constantly admonishes them to rejoice; dwell on good things; to avoid anxiety.
D. How can we be anything but positive if we are convicted that God is perfecting our work & that we will progress? (Jason Cheney)
1. How can we avoid confidence when we have scriptures such as Rom. 8:28?
2. The fire of enthusiasm will burn brightly once we begin to move with conviction in our efforts.
III. We Stoke the fire by overcoming complacency.
A. Rev. 3:1-6 – church at Sardis. “The Dead Church.”
1. Had a name that alive – but dead.
2. Perhaps pews were full. Maybe there was some activity going on within the congregation. (Giving pretense?)
3. But…still a problem – told to wake up!
B. This is a congregation where sacrifice was non-existent.
1. Complacency is one of the greatest dangers a Christian faces!
a) Goes along thinking everything OK – but not!
b) This can be a debilitating & damaging attitude.
C. Complacency: a feeling of quiet pleasure or security – offer unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like – self satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.
1. We cannot be complacent about our mission!
2. But yet…some fall prey to this danger!
3. Sacrificial living for Christ is becoming less common these days & as a result – Christians are dying spiritually.
a) Too many have a lack of willingness to live & die for Him!
b) Mt. 10:37-39
c) How is our devotion to Christ?
IV. We must not become useless to the Lord!
A. Rev. 3:2 – their deeds were not complete.
1. Deeds not completed until we die!
B. Don’t let the fire go out by becoming complacent w/our knowledge of His word!
1. our attitude should parallel 2 Tim. 2:15; Psalm 1
2. How hungry are we for better understanding of His word?
C. Don’t let the fire go out by becoming complacent about evangelism!
1. 2 Pet. 3:9 – God is longsuffering – desire all to be saved.
2. What are we doing to get word out?
3. Consider Paul’s attitude – Rom. 10:11, 14-15. Are we getting the message out?
D. Don’t let the fire go out by becoming complacent about worship; prayer; praise!
1. Heb. 13:15; 1 Tim. 2:1-4; 1 Thess. 5:17 – pray w/o ceasing.
E. If we determine we’ve studied enough; converted enough; and worshipped, prayed, and praised enough – we’re saying our obligation to God is paid in full.
1. May it never be! Eph. 2:4-8
Conclusion:
A. May we never lack the motivation that comes from confidence in God’s words & promises!
1. Do we have confidence in God’s plan? Are we optimistic w/the future?
B. May we never lose the desire/drive to “excel still more.” (1 Thess. 4:10)
C. May we never lose the conviction to use every effort to imitate God.
D. Let’s stoke the fire. Let’s get excited about our work. Let’s support and participate in the special events coming up and the work that is going on around here.
E. Not a Christian?
1. Do you believe in God? Believe you are lost in sin? Is there a certain dread & guilt when thinking of the deeds you have done?
2. Act today & obey the gospel! Act on what you believe & begin
F. I N V I T A T I O N
