Rekindling the Fire Psalm 39:1-4 Title Page: Rekindling the Fire. (Psa.39:1-4)

Rekindling the Fire “I said, I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me. I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; and my sorrow was stirred up. My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am.” Psalm 39:1-4 The text: (Psa.39:1-4)… The fire burned in David’s heart, and he had to speak.

Rekindling the Fire “Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name. But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.” Jeremiah 20:9 Jere.20:9: Jeremiah was under intense distress because of the truths he told Israel and her need to repent or reap the consequences. So he decided to remain silent—but he could not because God’s word was like a burning fire within him, and he had to speak!

Rekindling the Fire “And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 Luke 24:32: After Jesus told His disciples the truth about His resurrection, they developed a burning spiritual passion within their minds …

Rekindling the Fire Most of us have felt this fire in our hearts. We have a burning desire to work for the Lord, to advance His cause. But sometimes we let the fire go out. WE NEED TO REKINDLE THE FIRE! When we first become Christians, we are ON FIRE. We can’t wait to share with others the gospel and the hope of salvation we’ve found in Christ. We seek for ways to help advance His cause and add others to His kingdom. But, in time something happens..we LET THE FIRE GO OUT! We need to REKINDLE THE FIRE. How can I recognize when the FIRE is going out? Let me give you some of the warning signs …

A Reduction in Involvement We stop teaching classes. We no longer see souls as being in need of salvation. We no longer greet the visitors. We stop attending functions that include other brethren. Spiritual energy cannot be replenished with less involvement! James 4:17 Romans 12:10 Reduction in Involvement. Quit teaching classes. Just continue to allow others to carry the load. Too much effort and time to prepare. No longer see souls as needing the gospel or being lost. Spiritual condition of others no longer a priority. No longer greet visitors. Just want to rush home, not even taking time to notice if someone is visiting. Quit attending functions that include other brethren. When opportunities to be with other brethren present themselves outside of the meeting times, I just don’t go! Spiritual energy cannot be replenished with less involvement! Jam.4:17; Rom.12:10

A Reduction in Spiritual Hunger Stop reading and studying No longer attend Bible studies No longer attend gospel meetings More concern with sermon length than learning and growing When worldly things choke out the word, the hunger is gone. Drifting is inevitable. Matthew 5:6 1 Peter 2:1-3 Hebrews 5:12-14 Reduction in Spiritual Hunger. Stop reading and studying. No longer put effort and time into reading and studying the Bible. 2) No longer attend the Bible classes. Too busy and tired to attend the Sunday morning or midweek Bible studies. No longer attend gospel meetings. I cannot fit time to attend other meetings, or even our own, into my schedule! More concern with sermon length than learning and growing! A clock watcher whose only concern is how long it will last instead of the subject matter. When worldly things choke out the word, the hunger is gone. Drifting is inevitable! Matt.5:6; 1 Pet. 2:1-3; Heb.5:12-14.

Lack of Appreciation Hyper-critical state—see nothing good Complain constantly Elders, preachers, teachers… No patience dealing with others Enter the dying stage. The fire is beginning to smolder and will soon die out! Galatians 6:10 Matthew 7:12 John 13:34,35 Lack of Appreciation. Hyper-critical stage—see nothing good. Everything is just doom and gloom. Complain constantly. Something is always wrong. Wonder why people seem to be avoiding you? Elders, preacher, teachers, classes... Elders are not doing their job, the preacher has been here too long; what are the deacons doing; don’t like some of the teachers... No patience dealing with others. Everyone and everything that is done just upsets me. One has entered the dying stage. The fire is beginning to smolder and will soon go out! Gal.6:10; Matt.7:12; Jno.13:34,35.

Lack of Will Or Motivation No motivation is left. Any little thing will keep me from the services. I begin to question my faith. When a person’s motivation and will die, his fire is in grave danger of going out! 2 Corinthians 13:5 Luke 14:16-24 2 Corinthians 8:12 Lack of Will or Motivation. No motivation is left. Nothing seems to please me, and I can’t get motivated about spiritual matters. Any little thing will keep me from the services. Headaches, tiredness, stress over work, kids, etc. I begin to question my faith. Not really sure anymore that it’s necessary to be a Christian. I’m a good person; do I really need to go all the time? When a person’s motivation and will dies, the fire is in grave danger of going out! 2 Cor.13:5; Lk.14:16-24 (excuses); 2 Cor.8:12.

Why Do I Need to Rekindle the Fire? YOU NEED TO DO IT FOR YOURSELF. Past performance will mean nothing if you quit now. Ezekiel 18:24 You need to endure the race. Hebrews 12:1,2 You know it will be worth it. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Why do I need to Rekindle the Fire? You Need to Do It for Yourself! Past performance will mean nothing if you quit now! (Ezek.18:24) You need to endure the race. How can you stand up to trial and persecutions if the fire goes out? (Heb.12:1,2) You know that, in the end, it will be worth all you give! (1 Pet.1:3-5)

Why Do I Need to Rekindle the Fire? YOU NEED TO ENERGIZE THE CHURCH HERE! This church needs energy and workers. 1 Corinthians 12:14-25 It needs givers, not just takers! Galatians 6:1,2 Energy is depleted. Matthew 12:30 Why do I need to Rekindle the Fire? You Need to Energize the Church Here! This church needs workers and energy! (1 Cor.12:14-25) It needs givers, not just takers. (Gal.6:1,2) The entire church’s energy is depleted, and it will get weaker and weaker. The Lord is counting on all of us! (Matthew 12:30)

Why Do I Need to Rekindle the Fire? YOU NEED TO INFLUENCE YOUR FAMILY’S SALVATION. Your children need to see your example. Colossians 3:21 A Godly home gives them direction. Proverbs 6:22 As the family goes, so goes the church! Ephesians 6:1-4 Why do I need to Rekindle the Fire? You Need to Influence the Salvation of Your Family! Your children need to see your example! (Col.3:21) Godly homes give them direction in life. (Prov. 6:22) As the family goes, so goes the Church! (Eph.6:1-4) If homes are weak, the Lord’s church will also be weakened. Children left to themselves will drift toward destruction. We have to “fight and be focused” to keep them on the right path!

Why Do I Need to Rekindle the Fire? YOU NEED TO MAINTAIN A LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD. Christians are to be the world’s salt and light. Matthew 5:13-16 Godly examples give hope to the world! Proverbs 14:34 We influence others by the way we conduct our lives! 1 Timothy 4:12 Why do I need to Rekindle the Fire? You Need to Maintain a Light in a Dark World! Christians are to be the world’s salt and light. (Matt.5:13-16) Godly examples give hope to the world! (Prov. 14:34) We influence others by the way we conduct our lives! (1 Tim.4:12) It is useless to complain about the shape of our society and then not show the world the kind of heart and life that can make a real difference. Our friends, co-workers, and families may never hear a gospel sermon, but they desperately need to see one in our lives!

How to Rekindle the Fire? USE THE RIGHT FUEL: God’s word John 6:66-68 Commitment and determination Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 15:58 Prayer 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Involvement with spiritual people Romans 12:10 Heroes of the faith Hebrews 11 How do I Rekindle the Fire? Make sure you are using the RIGHT FUEL to build your fire!! God’s Word. (Jno.6:66-68) Real commitment and determination! (Matt. 6:33; 1 Cor.15:58) Steadfast in Prayer! (1 Thess.5:17) Involvement with other spiritual people. (Rom.12:10) Past heroes of faith. (Heb.11) Walking with the wise will make us wise. Examples of the past can reignite the fire! Like the old CORN FLAKES commercial –”TRY IT AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME!”

What About Your Fire? Is It Still Burning? Maybe you need to start the fire for the first time… Hear Faith Repent Confess Be baptized into Christ Maybe your fire has gone out and needs rekindling… Acts 8:22-24 James 5:16 1 John 1:9 Invitation…