Don't Be A Bush Without Fire

John the Baptist explains that he baptizes with water for repentance, but one greater than himself is coming. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Fire holds significant symbolism in both the Old and New Testaments. It represents a refining process that removes sin and also signifies God's judgment upon humanity. 

For followers of Christ, the fire of God burns within, enabling believers to serve as a light to the world. This inner fire allows us to be like a candle on a table or a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden, bringing hope, peace, and love to a world in need. As believers, we possess a power greater than anything else in existence.

However, I know many who claim to be followers yet do not demonstrate this power. Some do not consider it part of their experience, and others have never heard of the fire of God. In this podcast, I will share how the fire of God can bring transformative change. Providing direction, purpose, and deeper meaning. Your life can be filled with a force beyond anything previously experienced. 

The fire is purposeful, not merely a display. Moses discovered God’s message and assignment within the fire, and we can find ours there as well. Do you desire the fire of God in your life? John stated that Christ would provide both the Holy Spirit and fire. Too many of us stop and never move to the fire. Now is time for you step towards the call of God in your life. Just like Moses was drawn to the fire the Holy Spirit draws us to allow the fire of God to do its work in our lives. It is time to nurture the flames and create a visible impact for all of the world around you to see.

Transcript

My name is Omar Rogers, also known as The Faith Professor, and I am the founder of Imagination and Faith Ministries. Thank you for joining me for this week's podcast, titled:  Do Not Be a Burning Bush Without Fire

 In Matthew chapter 3, verse 11, John the Baptist explains that he baptizes with water for repentance, but one greater than himself is coming. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

 Fire holds significant symbolism in both the Old and New Testaments. It represents a refining process that removes sin and also signifies God's judgment upon humanity. For followers of Christ, the fire of God burns within, enabling believers to serve as a light to the world. This inner fire allows us to be like a candle on a table or a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden, bringing hope, peace, and love to a world in need. As believers, we possess a power greater than anything else in existence.

However, I know many who claim to be followers yet do not demonstrate this power. Some do not consider it part of their experience, and others have never heard of the fire of God. In this podcast, I will share how the fire of God can bring transformative change. Providing direction, purpose, and deeper meaning. Your life can be filled with a force beyond anything previously experienced. As Christ described in Matthew chapter 5, verses 15-16, you will no longer be hidden by worldly systems or controlled by the carnal nature that opposes God. Allowing the fire of God to burn within you will remove doubt, fear, and timidity from your life.

Let’s look at Moses and the story of the burning bush found in Exodus chapter three. The  bush Moses saw was likely a common, thorny, and flammable desert shrub. It was a picture of humanity: ordinary and perishable. It is very important to understand that God chose to manifest Himself as fire in a common bush. In the same way, He will call ordinary men and women with failures, insecurities, and mess-ups, just as He called Moses. It is through the fire that God calls the ordinary to become vessels for His holy purposes. You and I are not special within ourselves. It is the one who burns within us that causes us to be more than conquerors.

The miracle was that the bush burned yet was not consumed. This demonstrates that God’s presence in a believer does not destroy them. Instead it sustains them and moves the forward.  God’s grace prevents us from being overwhelmed. We can endure difficult tasks and personal inadequacy because God’s strength, not our own strength. Remember Zechariah 4:6 States its not by power, nor by might but by my spirit says the Lord. 

The fire was purposeful, not merely a display. Moses discovered God’s message and assignment within the fire, and we can find ours there as well. Do you desire the fire of God in your life? John stated that Christ would provide both the Holy Spirit and fire. Too many of us stop and never move to the fire. Now is time for you step towards the call of God in your life. Just like Moses was drawn to the fire the Holy Spirit draws us to allow the fire of God to do its work in our lives. It is time to nurture the flames and create a visible impact for all of the world around you to see.

If you review the story of  the two men who encountered Christ during their walk to Emmaus found Luke chapter 24 verses 13-35 you will see few important elements that can help identify elements of how the fire of God operates in the lives of humanity. For the sake of time I will not read the entire passage here. In essence two disciples were walking to Emmaus on resurrection day. They are joined by Jesus, whom they do not recognize. He explains how the Messiah had to suffer according to Scripture. They recognize him only after he breaks bread, after which he vanishes; they immediately return to Jerusalem to report the resurrection. I want to share key elements found in this narrative.

Verse 17 tells us their faces were downcast-so this was not a happy trip. They were dealing with sadness and disappointment  which many of us may be facing today. But there is hope to be found in Christ.Verse 31 tells us after Jesus broke bread with them their eyes were open and they recognized them. This is so important, even though they had been fellowshipping with Jesus and walking with him on the road to Emmaus. They didn’t even know who he was. This is very symbolic of many of us today who appear to be very religious and yet never really see or know Christ. 

I want to bring your attention to the last three verses which is where thing get hot. In verse thirty one we are told “their eyes were opened and they recognized him” I want to stop there. We really need to understand religious practices, church services, or prayer rituals will never equate to opening our eyes so we can  actually know Jesus or the Father. Scripture is clear and direct.  Matthew chapter 11 verse 27 states “ No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”  To know them is a reference to intimate, relational knowledge, not just intellectual information. Okay, lets go precept upon precept to get more truth. John 14:6  states “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. The path is becoming more clear, first no one can know God the Father without Him being revealed by Christ. Then Jesus explains they only way anyone gets that revealed to them is if to follow His way and His truth. 

Now the mic drops moment comes in John chapter 6 verse 44 where  Christ states "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” this is BIG church services, prayer lines, anointing oils, fasting, charitable giving, preaching, cast out demons wont get you there. This not about human initiative. We must be drawn to Jesus buy God himself and then and only then can see the Father and the Son. A quick word on the drawing of God. This is not a small feeling, or impression The Greek word used is helkuo, which implies a powerful, compelling force or influence, sometimes interpreted as "to drag" or irresistibly draw This is what I call divine initiative Salvation begins with God the Father; it is a gift and a work of God rather than a human initiative. Before all you predestination folks run off saying ??? I must state that I believe God makes this drawing possible to all of humanity but unfortunately  all of us will not respond

 I move to the next point I want to share how the message bible shows John 6:44 You're not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me - that's the only way you'll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End.

Now you see why I  say there is no one on this planet that can just will there way into knowing or seeing Christ. Human efforts will not get you to seeing the father. On top of that there is no religious leader regardless of how decorated, educated and articulate  they may be that can open your eyes to see Christ and our Holy Father. This point further illustrated in what Jesus said in Matthew chapter seven verses 21-23. Christ declares “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven he then transitions to saying telling a story filled with those who appeared to be  faithful workers for the Kingdom of God. It reads like this “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles.” Jesus concludes this story in verse twenty three sayin “ I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.

It is in the fire that we can know Him, follow Him and obey Him.