SERMON TITLE: Keeping the Fire Burning: The Power of the Holy Spirit in You
🎯 Key Scripture Texts: - Leviticus
6:12-13
“The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out…”
- 2 Timothy 1:6-7
“Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands…” - Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”
🧭 Sermon Outline
1. Introduction: Why This Fire
Matters
·
The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God
in us.
o
Unlike abstract concepts or impersonal forces,
the Holy Spirit is the living, breathing manifestation of God’s presence in the
believer. It’s not a “force” that we can control or manipulate; rather, it is
God Himself who empowers and equips us for the mission ahead.
o
Jesus did not come merely to live in us—He
came to work through us. God’s plan has always been to dwell with His
people and to use them as vessels of His power, love, and truth. The fire of
the Holy Spirit is the ignition of this divine presence within us.
·
God’s heart is for us to experience the
fullness of the Holy Spirit.
o
Just as in the Old Testament, the fire on the
altar was to never go out, God desires the fire of His Spirit to remain burning
in us—alive, vibrant, and impactful. This is not a passive call; it’s an
invitation to actively pursue the continual presence and empowerment of the
Holy Spirit in our daily lives.
2. What Is This Fire? (Symbol
of the Holy Spirit)
- Fire
represents multiple profound symbols in the Bible:
o
God’s Presence:
§
Exodus 3:2 – When Moses encountered God
in the burning bush, it symbolized God’s presence being pure and consuming.
This same fire of God’s presence is now available to us through the Holy
Spirit.
§
The Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God’s
promise to dwell in His people, not just among them.
o
Purification:
§
Malachi 3:2-3 – God’s refining fire
purges impurities from our hearts. Just as gold is refined by fire, so too is
our character purified and made holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in our
lives.
§
The fire purifies our motives, sanctifies our
hearts, and enables us to live as vessels of honor for God’s glory.
o
Passion and Power:
§
Acts 2:3 – On the Day of Pentecost, the
Holy Spirit came upon the disciples as tongues of fire. This fire symbolizes
the passionate and powerful empowerment of the Spirit for ministry and
witnessing.
§
The Holy Spirit stirs up love, boldness, and an
uncontainable zeal to proclaim the Gospel and serve others with our gifts.
o
The Fire Ignites in You:
§
The fire is not only an emblem of God’s presence
but also a practical reality. The Holy Spirit ignites in you:
·
Love for God and others that compels you
to serve.
·
Truth that transforms hearts and sets
captives free.
·
Boldness to stand firm in faith,
regardless of the opposition.
· Spiritual Gifts that empower you to serve others in the Kingdom of God.
3. Signs That the Fire Is Burning
Low
- When
the fire begins to burn low, the following signs may appear:
o
Prayerlessness:
§
A lack of consistent prayer is often the first
sign that the fire is dimming. Prayer is the lifeblood of the believer’s
relationship with God. Without prayer, our connection to the Holy Spirit
weakens.
§
James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a
righteous person is powerful and effective.”
o
Loss of Hunger for God’s Word:
§
A diminished appetite for Scripture reflects a
heart that is growing cold. When the Word of God is no longer alive and active
in us, the fire is starting to fade.
§
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp
to my feet and a light to my path.”
o
Lukewarm Worship or Service:
§
Worship becomes more of a routine than a
passionate, heartfelt response to God’s love. Service becomes obligatory rather
than an outpouring of love for God and His people.
§
Revelation 3:15-16 – God warns against
being lukewarm—either hot or cold in our devotion to Him.
o
Comfort with Sin or Compromise:
§
When sin no longer convicts us and we grow
comfortable with compromise, it is a sign that the fire is no longer burning
brightly within.
§
Ephesians 4:30 – “Do not grieve the
Holy Spirit of God.”
o
Disconnection from Spiritual Fellowship:
§
Isolation from the body of believers weakens the
fire within. The Holy Spirit thrives in community, and spiritual fellowship
nourishes our souls.
§
Hebrews 10:25 – “Do not give up
meeting together…but encourage one another.”
4. How to Keep the Fire Burning
·
a) Consistent Prayer Life:
o
Jude 1:20 – “But you, dear friends,
build yourselves up… praying in the Holy Spirit.”
o
Prayer is the key to maintaining spiritual
vitality. It keeps us aligned with God’s heart and stirs the fire of the Holy
Spirit within us.
o
In prayer, we encounter God’s presence, receive
His guidance, and are filled afresh with His power.
·
b) Feed on God’s Word Daily:
o
Jeremiah 20:9 – “His word was in my
heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones…”
o
The Word of God feeds our spirits, stirs our
passion for the Kingdom, and empowers us to live with purpose. Meditating on
Scripture keeps the fire alive and helps it burn brighter.
·
c) Fellowship with Believers:
o
Hebrews 10:25 – “Do not give up
meeting together…but encourage one another.”
o
The community of believers strengthens our faith
and keeps the fire burning. Fellowship, mutual encouragement, and corporate
worship are essential for spiritual growth.
o
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – “Two are better
than one… If one falls down, the other can help them up.”
·
d) Obey the Promptings of the Holy Spirit:
o
The Holy Spirit speaks to us daily, guiding us
in all things. Every act of obedience to His leading adds fuel to the fire.
When we follow His promptings, we are continually fanning the flame of the Holy
Spirit within us.
o
Romans 8:14 – “For those who are led
by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
·
e) Fasting and Spiritual Disciplines:
o
Fasting sharpens our spiritual senses and helps
us to focus on God alone. It strengthens our inner man and increases our
sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
o
Matthew 17:21 – “This kind does not go
out except by prayer and fasting.”
5. Benefits of a Life on Fire
·
Spiritual Authority and Discernment:
o
When the fire of the Holy Spirit is burning in
us, we walk in spiritual authority, able to discern truth and make wise
decisions.
o
Luke 10:19 – “I have given you
authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of
the enemy.”
·
Boldness in Witnessing:
o
A heart on fire is unstoppable in sharing the
Gospel. You speak with passion and conviction, drawing others to Christ.
o
Acts 4:31 – “They were all filled with
the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
·
Victory Over Sin and Temptation:
o
The fire of the Holy Spirit gives us the power
to resist temptation and walk in holiness.
o
Romans 8:13 – “If by the Spirit you
put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
·
Impacting Others with the Power of the
Gospel:
o
A life on fire for God becomes a beacon of hope
and transformation to those around you. You carry the power of God’s Kingdom
with you wherever you go.
o
Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of
the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
·
Bringing Revival Wherever You Go:
o
Revival starts in the heart. A life on fire
carries revival into every place, relationship, and circumstance.
o
Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…”
6. Fan the Flame — Don’t Let It Die
·
The fire must be continually fed or it
will die. Don’t neglect the work of the Holy Spirit within you.
· The enemy seeks to quench the fire, but the Holy Spirit longs to keep it blazing. Every day, we must make the choice to
🙏 For Teenagers:
· Understanding the Fire:
o For teens, this message resonates deeply in a time where peer pressure, distractions, and the struggles of youth can easily dim the fire of God’s Spirit. Keeping the fire alive means actively guarding your heart, staying connected with godly friends, and refusing to let the world’s temptations extinguish your passion for Christ.
o Don’t wait until you’re older or have more “life experience” to let the Holy Spirit move powerfully in your life. The fire is for now. It can shape your choices, your relationships, and your future.
· Why Teens Need the Fire:
o As a young person, you’re at a critical stage where you’re figuring out who you are and what you’re called to do. The Holy Spirit will guide you through this season, helping you make wise choices and giving you boldness to stand for what’s right.
o It’s not about being perfect; it’s about constantly keeping the fire of God’s presence alive in your heart and letting that passion influence everything you do. When you stay connected to God’s fire, you influence others, and your life becomes a beacon of light to those around you.
🎶 Suggested
Worship Songs: - “Consuming Fire” – Tim Hughes - “Set a Fire” –
Will Reagan - “Fresh Wind” – Hillsong Worship - “Holy Spirit” –
Bryan & Katie Torwalt
By Martin N. Wanjiru
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