God's Fires, God's Desires In Us - Sermon Starter

Sermon Outline

God’s Fires, God’s Desires in Us

Scripture:  Varied

Introduced May 2011

Outline of the Sermon

Introduction:  One day at a men’s retreat, one of the “young” men started a fire.  We all sat in bleachers around that fire.  It sometimes burned brighter; other times, we saw only a small spec of flames.  The only way to get the fire blazing again was to throw more wood, more chips, more ammunition into the fire.

            When we became saved, 2 Cor, 5:17 – We became a new creature; old things passed away and all things became new.  The old man died with the advent of Christ in our lives.  Romans 6:6.  So, we know that this fire is on the new man, not the old.  We also know what we still have “the flesh” with its old habits, desires, goals, sins.  Galatians 5:19.

            Because sin was such a prevalent part of our lives, our flesh very often desires the “old” way of life; yet the old man who agreed with the flesh is dead.

I submit to you that:

a)     The man had to start the fire; God has to start the fire.

b)     If the man did not keep it going, both light and heat die.  If we don’t keep the flame going, we darken our path and hinder our desires.

c)      Or, we have a choice – starve the flesh fire, increase the spirit or vice versa.

Okay:  We want God’s fire in our life.  How do we keep the flames nigh and the fire hot for God?  Our goal is a high blazing “flame”, Galatians 5:22-23 … A flame (here it is called fruit) of love, joy, please, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is now law.

2 parts:

1.          Know there is only one who lights the fire.  God is an all consuming fire.  Exodus 3:2; Deut. 9:3.  You can be consumed now or you can be consumed later. (Job 18:5; 1 Cor. 3:15)

2.          Know there is only one who can daily crucify, put to death the flesh.  Galatians 5:24 – We put to death (crucify) the flesh with its own affections.  We stifle that fire through obedience and walking in the Spirit.  We do not seek our glory because that is what the flesh seeks.  (Galatians 5:24, 5:26)

Conclusion / Decision / Invitation:

            We cannot fake the fire; we cannot keep two fires going because it gets tiring.

Sermon Creation Date:  Can’t remember; it was written, however, during a personal men’s retreat I attended.

Suggestions:  I see this particular mini outline as a launching off point in many applications; perhaps it is not so much fit for a sermon as it is for a women’s Bible study or a men’s prayer breakfast.  The challenge with all outlines, however, is to make it relevant to your particular situation.

Additions:  We all need a rekindling of God’s fire.  Life happens … people’s job become boring or tension thickens at the local church.  Whatever the cases, pray that this sermon would deliver to the heart of the believer a new spark of renewal that will awaken in them the desire to serve God continually.