On Being On Fire for God

Be on fire for God! The Greek word, Zeo or zelos means “to boil with heat; be hot.” English words such as fervent, [fever] zealous, and jealous are used in translation. Note that zealous is a positive, while jealous is a negative. Both are boiling hot emotions. “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11, NIV)

Text: Luke 21:34-36
Key Verse: "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" (II Thessalonians 2:3)

Apostasy and falling away describe the same condition. Both are translated from the same Greek word, meaning “defection from truth, rebellion, turning away.” Reprobate and castaway [unapproved, rejected, worthless,] are synonyms. (See II Corinthians 9:27.) Apostasy is an attitude of the last days.

I. End-time Attitudes – A Falling Away Shall Come - II Thessalonians 2:3
Laodicea – prophetic – Last in the list of the seven churches of Asia - "because thou art lukewarm... I will spue thee out of My mouth!" (Revelation 3:15-19) Compare with what we see and hear today.
Note: End time promises embrace both "a great falling away" and "a great ingathering." (Harvest Revival!)
The “great falling away” and the “great revival” will be simultaneous!
    A. The Actions of Apostasy – II Timothy 4:3-4
        1. Always a trading down in value
        2. The “great falling away” must come first... before...
        3. “The ‘dusk’ of degeneration.” – John 9:4
        4. Satan/robber/deceiver/ tempter - BUT - we’re drawn by our own lusts – James 1:14
        5. “Itching ears” turn to “fables” (fiction, myths, tales)
    B. The Path of Apostasy – Romans 1:21-32
        1. Darkening of the Heart – Vs. 21 ("...the love of many shall wax cold" - Matthew 6:23; 24:12)
        2. Uncleanness – Vs. 22 (moral impurity - I Thessalonians 4:17)
        3. Vile Affections – Vs. 26 (perversion/s - I Corinthians 6:9-10)
        4. A Reprobate Mind – Vs. 28 (carnal mind is at enmity with God - Romans 8:7)
    C. The Ultimate End of Apostasy – Philippians 3:18-19
        1. Eternal Damnation (the act of turning away becomes permanent -the only hope is total repentance)
        2. At the 4th stage – Conscience seared (I Timothy 4:2) - No longer want to repent.
        3. No one can sin & stay at the same level of iniquity. Consider Lot, his wife & family, Esau,
             and Saul. Sin is like a lure that draws men into ever descending degrees of separation from God and
             Truth - James 1:14-15 (See also Hebrews 2:1-3; 6:4-8; 10:26-31; 12:25; Numbers 15:30.)
II. Antidote — Be Fervent in Spirit! – Romans 12:11 – H20 @ 212degrees=boil (& steam) - BUT! Cold water into boiling water does NOT heat the cold water; rather, it cools the boiling water!
    A. Be Prepared – for the coming of the Lord – Luke 21:34-36
        1. Wise & Foolish – Matthew 25:1-13 - all 10: virgins, oil, lamps, slept, lamps went out, & heard
              the midnight cry...  however, the wise had a reserve supply of oil, the foolish did not.
        2. Surfeiting, Drunkenness, Cares –cool fervency - taken unawares. Does it just happen? No!
    B. Be Expectant – Titus 2:11-13 – denying... looking... [See Matthew 24:44; Luke 24:36.]
        1. Ready and Expecting – Earnest expectation creates readiness! - Revelation 16:15

Internalizing: God hates lukewarmness! He'd rather we be one or the other - cold or hot. Be zealous! Keep your spiritual temperature at fever pitch! Feed the fever! Fervency: prevents getting caught in the falling away – AND – prepares us for the coming great revival.

Like Lot's wife and Demas, some trade eternal life for this present world; sound Bible doctrine for lust, Truth for fables, Worship for entertainment. They reach for gain in this world and lose their eternal soul in the process. Falling away (apostasy) is a downward spiral that leads to eternal damnation. Be fervent Amid Apostasy! Be on fire for God!

Special Note: What you're reading are my lesson notes from the Adult Sunday School lesson I taught on April 6, 2014.  It was requested that I post my notes online. These notes are from the 2013/14 Adult Teacher's Manual, published by Word Aflame; United Pentecostal Church International, Hazelwood, Missouri.

Will He Find Faith?

“Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

Most of my adult life, I relegated this Scripture to the Rapture of the church. Considering it to be a revealing glimpse of the pathos and yearning in the heart of Jesus for a group of people who would believe and have faith in Him during this last and evil generation, I pledged in prayer that He would find faith on this earth, and by that I meant in me. But I’ve seen this verse in a new light; one that expands my horizons and brings fresh excitement and enthusiasm for His wonderful plan.

When Jesus came the first time, robbing Himself in flesh and exchanging His heavenly throne for an animal’s feeding trough – He found faith. There was Mary, who stepped out onto her faith, saying, “Be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) There was Elizabeth, who, pregnant herself, bore witness that Mary was “the mother of my Lord.” (Luke 1:43) There was Joseph, who listened to the word of the Lord and obeyed His commands to the letter. There were wise men from the east, who came seeking the newborn King. There were shepherds who believed the message of the angels and came to find the young child. There was Simeon, who believed the word of the Lord which said he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ and who had the faith to recognize Him in the temple. And there was Anna who was abiding in the temple and came to give glory and praise to God. Ah yes, when He came the first time – He found faith.

Furthermore, I have seen the church in action – I have watched the gospel message heal the broken-hearted and give sight to the blind, physically and spiritually. I have gazed in wonder at the Holy Ghost filling a life with joy, peace and His abiding presence. Every time I see or hear of a soul being baptized in His precious Name for the remission of their sins, I recognize that the seeds of faith are still alive and doing their holy work in the hearts of men all around the world. Ah yes, when He comes for His church – there will be faith on the earth.

But what about when He comes into your daily routine? What about when He passes by your pew as His Spirit moves in the sanctuary? Does He find a faith-filled response? What about when the Spirit is moving and a soul near you is reaching out to Jesus – do you allow them to struggle on alone, or are you sensitive enough to pray for and with them right then? What about when the hungry soul at school or on the job asks you a question about the Kingdom or about your faith, does He find a faith-filled response? Does your life focus all attention toward Jesus? Does your testimony ring true? Jesus cares about little children, the lost, the grieving, widows and orphans, the destitute, the lonely. Is your compassion like His compassion? Are your hands an extension of His hands?

I submit to you that He doesn’t only come on special occasions, like Christmas or the Rapture. He comes every day, in multiple ways – and He is always seeking a faith-filled response!

Abraham was called the father of the faithful because he stepped out of his routine and into the realm of promise. Mary’s faith was demonstrated by her submission to the Word. Simeon’s faith was revealed by his watchfulness. In each case, He came… Oh, may we hear His heart’s cry! When He comes to your earth [situation] will He find faith?

By Marjorie Kinnee