Text: Matthew 3:11-12
1. The Fire of God Has Two Different Purposes
(i) To baptize and empower the disciple, Matt. 3:11.
(ii) To judge the world, Matt. 3:12.
2. Old Testament Examples
(i) God spoke to Moses through the fire, i.e., “the burning bush,” Ex. 3:2.
(ii) God led the people of Israel through the desert by a “pillar of fire,” Ex. 13:22.
(iii) God came down onto Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:18) and spoke to the people through the fire, Deut. 4:12.
(iv) Daily offerings and sacrifices were made to God by the priests with fire, Lev. 7:5.
(v) God answered by fire in Elijah’s time to show the people He was the true God, 1 Kings 18:25.
(vi) God’s presence came in fire at the dedication of the temple in Solomon’s time, 2 Chron. 7:1.
(vii) God declared to Jeremiah that His Words are like “fire” compared to the words of “dross” from the false prophets, Jer. 23:29.
(viii) Daniel had a vision of God’s throne and saw fire all around Him with a river of fire flowing from Him, Dan. 7:9-10.
3. New Testament Examples
(i) Jesus said everyone would be “salted with fire,” Mark 9:49.
(ii) Jesus said He didn’t come to bring peace, but rather He came to bring “fire on the earth,” Luke 12:49-52.
(iii) The fire of God is seen on the disciples heads when the Holy Spirit is poured out on Pentecost, Acts 2:3.
(iv) Jesus is described as having eyes of fire and having seven lamp stands and seven stars in His right hand, Rev. 1:20.
(v) John sees a vision of heaven like Daniel and there is a sea of glass and fire coming from the Throne of God, Rev. 15:2.
4. Application for Today
(i) God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29 from Deut. 4:24), thus, you are going to be consumed by God’s fire no matter what, Mark 9:49.
(ii) You will either be burned by God’s fire in punishment and torment (Rev. 20:14-15) or set on fire by His Holy Spirit with passion and holiness, Matt. 3:11.
(iii) Therefore, ask God to baptize you with His Holy Spirit fire today and be filled with power to live for God 100%, Acts 1:8; 2:1-3.
