39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
Acts 28:1-6
28 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 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. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Trials happen…we see here that Paul endured and overcame a ship wreck…although he almost lost his life, he made it. There are people here – you should’ve been dead, but God brought you out.
However, there are times where you feel that even though you’ve just overcome something, you can still feel the residue of it…even though Paul made it from the ship, he only landed on a cold, wet, island, in the middle of a rain storm…looking for fire.
In the midst of the storm, are you looking for fire? Paul found fire, and it moved him to gather wood to feed it…would to God, the Lord would give the church more FIRE FEEDERS! Don’t just admire someone’s fire, help feed it! Don’t hate on folks’ fire, feed it!!
Build
Genesis 22:6-7
6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
Understand this truth, you build a fire with your hands. You want to be on fire, you’re gonna have to build it!
I gave the Genesis reference because, Abraham had the wood and the fire, for one purpose, to sacrifice. There are many of you who desire to be on fire, but the purpose is for self-sacrifice, not for self – exaltation.
Can I ask you a question? Why do you want to be in the ministry of music or something stage worthy? Is it to glorify God, or is it to glorify you? I told someone yesterday that one of the things I regret is what I brought to this church; that is, an element of entertaining…I know how to sing, rap, perform, etc…and I brought that part of my character to this church…over the years, I see what kinda monster I built…I have a group of people that want the glory of the stage, but there’s no indication of fire, service, humility, or even work ethic…you have talent, and it’s your job to let the world know…grow up…it’s not anointing, you’re hindering what God really wants to do…I learned that the hard way, if you have to be heard, if you must be first, if you have to be out front – then it’s not ministry…it’s selfish ambition; that’s deadly, and demonic. You need to take a hard look at yourself in the bible; pray that God will use you, rather than you use God to promote yourself!
Proverbs 26:13
13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!”
Fire is built, it is created by labor and its intention is for sacrifice.
Snakes in the Playground
As Paul put the wood on the fire, a serpent driven out by the heat, attached itself to his hand. You must be careful who you allow attach themselves to you!
2 things to consider:
The snake was driven out by the heat, not the fire!
It attached itself to his hand…indicative of Paul’s Authority | Labor | Progress
Snakes always fasten themselves to you in order to afflict pain and stop your forward progress.
Now you know why things get hard…because snakes are driven out by the heat…so even when you get close to fire, or close to getting on fire…here he comes!
See, when the conditions are cold and comfortable, snakes won’t bother…
Shake it off
Paul shook it off in the fire. You must maintain the flames of God in order to lose the snake. You can’t have the snake hanging around you – you’ll lose everything you’ve worked so hard to build…just ask Adam and Eve.
2 Corinthians 4:17 - …For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
I’m sure there was fear, pain, and even doubt, but Paul didn’t have time to reflect on that, he had to shake it off.
Matthew 6:31-33
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Anxiety | depression | fear | anger | bitterness…all are brought about by snakes…could be your family, friends, people that have a voice and influence in your life…their ‘concern’ many times can lead to your demise, because they don’t understand the covenant you’ve made with Jesus
Shake it off in the fire. You can’t drown the snake, beat it with a rock, pull it off…IT MUST BE FIRE!
Get on fire for Jesus! Sacrifice for Jesus! Move for Jesus! Go for Jesus…shake them haters off!!
No comments:
Post a Comment