Fan the Flame

Scriptures:

1 Timothy 1v 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

Leviticus 6:9 “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.

Acts 28:3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Body:

• Fanning provide the fuel to the fire. When you fan you provide air (pnuema) to the fire.

• The holy spirit does not leave us when we fail (John 14:16), but he will not fill us, empower us if we neglect our spiritual life

• In the old verse we have read in the book of Leviticus, God speaks to Aaron through Moses. And he says, Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.

• How where they going to keep the fire burning in the desert there was more firewood.

• Hardwork was required to grow the fire and keep the fire on the altar

• Commitment was required

• Unity was required

• When I read the book of Romans chapter 12:1-2 he talks about the sacrifice that we should present to the Lord. Paul says , I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

• Paul says in Romans 12:11-13 - not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

• To fan the flame is to blow into light, it is to grow the flame.

• There are things that can stop the flame growing things like fear, disappointment and temptation

• these things have got potential to kill the flame.

• It is possible to grieve the spirit (Ephessians 4:30)

• it is also possible to quench the spirit (1 Thess 5:19)

• Now to Fan is to refresh , to stir up

• How do we fan the flame:

• we fan the flame by Prayer

• Trust in God completely. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

• Do not rely on your own understanding.

• Some of us have got gifts off the Lord, some of these gifts show the presence of the Lord in our lives. do you know that you are a temple of the Lord.

• the board of Christ needs you

• allow the breeze of the Holy Spirit to find the gift into fire rather than striving in your own strength

• Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

• recognize that you have stopped being thankful Andy grateful of the blessings that you have

• don't focus on what you don't have and what God is not giving you

• Repent: James 5

• Sins and selfish attitudes can quench your fire confession clears you and takes away your bedding . God draws near to the humble and repentant heart

• Pray like David: Psalms 139:23-24

• Understand proverbs 9:10 – The fear of the Lord

• Sometimes our flame flickers because we only approach God for what we want and what he can do for us and not what he is

• seeking God for who he is sure Way to fan the flame

• When you get to know him, you get to understand how is working in your circumstances, not the way you want it, but the way God wants it

• Start in the word of God

• when you are down proclaim the promises of his word in your life. What does the Bible say about you?

• He is the plan for you

• He is a faithful and true and made himself available for you

• He is good kind and true you can trust him with your life

• Engage your hearts to renew your mind and to humble yourself in his presence

• The word of God and prayer can keep the fire burning

• When the church goes liberal, it usually starts to weaken the fire

• The word of God is not bound

• It is a hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crop (2 Tim 2V6)

• Fight a good fight. (2 Tim 4v17)

• The word of God is not bound. If we endure we will all reign with Him

• If we are faithful He remain faithful

• Finish the race and keep the faith

• Every winner is crowned