Focus: Makers Of Fire

Text: Jh.18:18

"And the servants and officers stood there, who had MADE A FIRE of coals; for it was COLD: and they WARMED themselves: and Peter stood with them, and WARMED himself."

We live in a cold world, morally, spiritually and socially; and we need some firesides to warm up our hearts. Loneliness is killing a lot of people yearly in this world. God said it was not good for the man to be alone, and He proceeded to provide him with someone to warm him up. The author of Ecclesiastes says, "Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?" (Ecl.4:11). Each person has enough electricity in him to keep another warm. Spiritual and social warmers are needed in this world.

Who are the makers of this fire that is so much needed in our world today? I believe that the makers are those who have in them the fire of God. 

Fire is one element that is always associated with God in the Scriptures. Moses declares, "For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God" (Dt.4:24; also, Heb.12:29). God is both a consuming and a warming fire. Paul describes God as one who is "dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see…" (1Tim.6:16). God gives Moses order to make sure that the fire of the altar is constantly burning. He says, "And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning…" (Lev.6:12). The fire of the altar is never put out; it ever burns. 

As a matter of fact, it was the coal from the altar that one of the seraphims used in the cleansing of Isaiah's mouth in Isaiah 6 (Isa.6:6). Our God is not only the God of fire; He is also the maker of fire. He set a shrub on fire in the wilderness to draw Moses' attention and to reveal Himself by it to him. Of the making of angels, we read in Hebrews, "Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire" (Heb.1:7). The angels were made by God to carry fire with them. Concerning Christ, we read, "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a FLAME OF FIRE… And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a FLAME OF FIRE, and his feet are like fine brass" (Rev.1:14; 2:18). About the throne of God, we read, "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven LAMPS OF FIRE BURNING before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God" (Rev.4:5). 

You cannot stay in God's presence and not feel warm. His fire is not only consuming; it is also warming.

Jesus Christ is a man of fire and a man on fire. He says in fulfillment of prophecy, "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up… The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (Ps.69:9; Jh.2:17). That is the fire of holy passion - or the power of divine zeal!

Paul tells Timothy, whose fire was burning out, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou STIR up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands" (2Tim.1:6). In the Greek, the word for 'stir' has to do with fire. Paul was telling Timothy to rekindle his spiritual fire. In other words, keep your fire burning. 

Do you know why you need to have your fire burning? It is because someone else needs it. People are in need of divine fire.

Jesus Christ describes John the Baptist as a "burning and shining light." John served as God's fireside to others. He burned with God's fire. In fact, he tells his hearers about the Christ, "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with FIRE" (Mt.3:11). That is the fire of the Holy Spirit! The Spirit of God is the Spirit of fire. He is described by John the beloved as the seven lamps of fire before the throne of God. Solomon tells us about the fire of love. He says, "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it…" (Song of Sol.8:7). That is the fire of love! The fire of unquestionable love. So we see the fire of God, of Christ, and of the Spirit. We also see the fire of those who are baptized in the Spirit. Also, we see the fire of love and the fire of kindness. It burns, and many people are warmed by it.

In the night that Jesus Christ was illegally judged, scandalously and summarily condemned, those outside of the courtroom made a fire by which they warmed themselves, because of the coldness of the night. Even Peter wanted the fire so badly. He didn't make the fire, but he enjoyed it.

Luke records another fireside. He writes, "And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they KINDLED A FIRE, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the COLD" (Act.28:2). This is the fire of kindness and hospitality! As an expression of the kindness of their hearts, the people of Malta kindled a fire for Paul and others to warm up themselves in the season of heavy cold. Luke tells us more, "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand" (Act.28:3). Paul was adding to the fire made by others. He was keeping the fire burning. The fire made by others needs to be sustained by us.

A snake was hiding in the sticks that Paul had gathered together to keep the fire burning, and in the fire the snake jumped out, fastening itself on his hand. But then we read, "And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm" (Act.28:5). 

No beasts, snakes or vipers can survive our fire. Shake off that old serpent into the fire of God! No harm shall come to you with the fire of God in your life! Satan cannot stand your fire.

Be among the makers and sustainers of divine fire! Be a solution to the world's cold! Someone is in need of your fire. The cold of loneliness is killing - the cold of social apathy, of hate, of social mistrust, of racism, of religious bigotry, and the cold of selfishness. Our fire warms, cures, and purifies. Be a fire maker, not a fire quencher! Rekindle your fire and burn for your God! By your fire men will experience divine heat and light.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter