Pastor Mac Hammond | May 1, 2022

Recap:
If you want to be more on fire for God, this is the message for you! Pastor Mac shared why the fire of God is important, where it comes from, and how you can stir up God’s fire in your own life. If you don’t want to be on fire for God, this is the message you need! The fire of God that comes from the ministry of the Holy Spirit is what makes Christianity come alive for us! It is what stirs us, excites us, and draws us to learn more about Jesus every day.

Dive Deeper:
In the book of Revelation, the last church that Jesus talked to was the church at Laodicea. They were lukewarm in their faith, and Jesus told them to buy gold tried in the fire. Since the Laodicean church was the last church, many consider that it correlates to our church today in the end times. Lukewarmness is evident throughout Christianity. People don’t recognize their need for God or have a desire for more of Him. One reason is because they don’t have the fire of God.

The fire of God comes from the Holy Spirit, but He will not impose it on you. You stir up the fire of God by meditating on the Word, stirring up your expectation that you will see God’s will done on this earth! When Jesus is the foundation of your works, there will be a reward for those works. No, not the reward of salvation, but a reward different than that. The Holy Spirit will purify your desires and stir up the fire of God in you, and you will see His rewards as a result.

If you want more fire of God, ask the Holy Spirit! Then, meditate on the Word. Consider what it would look like when the fire of God burned in your life. Yes, that means you will have to forfeit desires that are counter to God’s Word. Move away from sin and weight that entangles you, and then you can run with perseverance and the fire of God in your life.

Read About It:
Revelation 3:14–19 KJV
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 KJV
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Psalm 104:1–4 KJV
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

Psalm 37:3–5 KJV
Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Discussion Questions:
1. Do you have the fire of God burning on the inside of you?
2. What can you do today to stir up the flames of fire on the inside?
3. What Scriptures do you like to meditate on?
4. How can your imagination help point you in the right (or wrong) direction?

Rewatch or catch up on the full sermon with the link below!

Recent Sermon Notes

GRACE UNVEILED: “All Under Sin,” #7 | Jim Hammond

Pastor Jim delivered his seventh installment in his series on the book of Romans, entitled, “Grace Unveiled.” The first three chapters of Romans focuses explicitly on the definition of sin. “Because,” as Pastor Jim says, “if you don’t understand what sin is, you will not understand the solution to the sin problem.” Paul wanted them to understand that all of mankind has a sin problem, and no matter who you are, you will never, ever be able to achieve righteousness through your own merit. If doesn’t matter if you’re a secular pagan who worships Zeus or a religious Jew who strictly follows the law, God will never see you as righteous through your own effort. Pastor Jim has much more to say in this message subtitled, “All Under Sin.”

They Brought | Mac Hammond

Last Sunday, Pastor Mac taught a message entitled, “They Brought.” He said, “If you’re in a relationship with the Lord, you’re in a covenant with Him. And that covenant is one of blessing.” Yet, many covenant believers do not seem to walk in the level of blessing the Bible promises. Why is that? Pastor Mac said walking fully in the provision and purpose of God begins by understanding what the definition of a covenant actually is.

Focus for Effect #4: The Resurrection of Christ | Pastor Mac Hammond

What a wonderful Easter weekend we had as we celebrated Jesus! His resurrection is the focal point for our faith, for it bridges the gap between the seen realm and the unseen realm. As you go through your day today, remember that the resurrection power of Jesus has the ability to raise your circumstances high above anything you can imagine. The touch of death does not need to destroy your life! God’s resurrection power is at work in you and through you to touch this world for Him.

Grace Unveiled: Everyone Is Guilty (Rom. 2:1–9)  | Jim Hammond

Pastor Jim gave the fifth installment of his series entitled, “Grace Unveiled.” The first three chapters of Romans can be summed up by saying people who rely on their own righteousness, their own ability, their own self-effort will not escape the judgment of God. It is only through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can any man escape His judgment. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul defines New Testament righteousness as the ability to stand before God without a sense of guilt or inferiority.

2024 Prayer and Presence Conference | Heidi Baker, Joseph Harris, and Leif Hetland

Demonstrations of the presence of God were manifested at The Prayer and Presence Conference this past weekend. Guest speakers Heidi Baker, Joseph Harris, and Leif Hetland shared what was on their hearts, and a definite theme came forth—we are at the threshold of a great awakening to God. The flames for world evangelism were ignited by three different videos: 1) an update on Living Word’s church planting mission, 2) a video of how Iris Global Ministries is in the midst of violence and persecution, yet they bravely continue their work, and 3) a video of a great outpouring of God’s Spirit in Asia!