Fuel For The Fire – Reverend Kwame Rubadiri

What one thing would you save from a fire if all your belongings (all your stuff) were burning in front of you? Why?

 Romans 12:1 

The symbolism and imagery of a flame, fills us with wonder and hope. A single candle burning in the darkness, or the Olympic torch raised high to light a cauldron initiating the greatest spectacle of sport in human history…the narrative of how a single flame birthed in Greece is carried around the world (person to person, community to community) until it reaches the Opening Ceremony of the Games.

The prevailing symbol of worship and service to God in the Old Testament is the burnt SACRIFICE! Israel was always reminded of the payment for their deliverance everyday as they sacrificed an unblemished male lamb every morning and evening (Exodus 29:39-43). This was of course a symbol, a picture of the coming Christ, the sacrificial Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice, the sinless Savior, the acceptable atonement for the sins of mankind. It was also a picture of what God expects to characterize the nature of our service in the Kingdom.

Christianity is not so much a matter of what we gain from God, but rather what we become and ultimately what we give to God for His glory – God is looking for a “living sacrifice”, a yielded vessel to do His will, an obedient servant whose will is conformed to the will of God in all things. Jesus invited the disciples (and us) to “take up the cross and deny ourselves” – everyday!!

This posture is fundamental to our Christian lives and indicates we understand the scripture that says we are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) and we do not belong to ourselves we are the property of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. However we cannot begin to do business with God without sacrifice.

How did the sacrifice of the old testament work?

The first thing we learn about the “sacrifice” is that it was to be a whole gift (everyone had to bring the best year-old lamb they could find and they had to sacrifice it ALL to the Lord)…God wants all of you or none of you!

When you do respond to God’s call, He doesn’t want a half-hearted, half-baked commitment; He wants it all or none at all!! The children of Israel were required to place every part of the sacrifice, every limb and organ “everything” was placed on the altar to be consumed by the fire.

Secondly it was to be a willing gift (not given under pressure or pain), (Leviticus 1:3) a gift willingly released to the purpose of the sacrifice – God would not intervene without a sacrifice. God only works with the willing, never forcing us to conform to His will, always looking for a willing heart, and an obedient servant.

Each Gospel records the words of Jesus when He says “if any man desires to come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”, where are the willing workers God desires to send into the Harvest?, where are those who put a greater premium on the work of the Kingdom than on their own lives? – Show me such a man and I’ll show you a man who will never be without, who will always have more than enough for the journey and who will always be fruitful where he’s planted.

The third thing about the sacrifice is it was to be given in an attitude and atmosphere of worship It is an act of obedience and a step of faith and it must be taken in an atmosphere of worship! We cannot worship without sacrifice! This is not like any other business – this is the most important business there is, this is the King’s business, it’s about saving souls and representing the King of Kings in the earth. Any time we answer the call of God to serve – it is an act of obedience and an act of worship it is a sweet aroma to God, (Leviticus 1:9 the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD.) Every sacrifice was to honor God and satisfy Him. The Bible says “put no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3), not in their flesh or your own flesh, get fresh manna and direction from God for yourself everyday.

In the new testament Paul’s letter to the Romans [Chapter 12:1] asks something dramatic of every believer: Surrender, sacrifice yourself and everything you are, as fuel for the fire of God. The light of God’s glory is spreading across the earth as the Gospel is preached, and like a bush fire the Kingdom is spreading to consume the evils and fears that have held societies captive for generations.

God is looking for workers to allow him to set their ‘yielded’ lives on fire and burn bright as beacons to show the way to the Savior. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”.

Today we present ourselves as more fuel for that holy fire that is spreading around the world.

Today we place the sacrifice of our lives on the altar of God’s service.

Today we light the match and release ourselves to burn bright for the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fire will consume whatever gives it fuel; a fire will go out only when it has nothing left to consume (Proverbs 26:20) Fire will not only take your sacrifice, it will also test your sacrifice (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) Be the best and do your best in the work of ministry, present the highest standards everyday and expect the same high standard of service of the people you minister to as well. Remember that you can’t have a testimony without a test! (James 1:2 – 4)

Don’t just fan the flame…GET IN THE FLAME!

Be a bright light as you learn the lessons of testing and purification in the fires of life. The only way to purify Gold is through the fire of testing…

Fire will not let you look good on the outside, it will not let you look pretty, it will purify your sacrifice (Malachi 3:2-3)

Don’t just fan the flame…GET IN THE FLAME!

The fire of God burns up and purifies the stuff that’s inside us too, our motives, our fears, our unpleasant attitudes; the heat of the fire will show what’s really inside and burn it all up so that a pure vessel remains. God is setting things up so you may burn brighter, and burn longer, so that you may burn clean and not be consumed. Stay in the fire – it’s all for your good, it may be too hot sometimes but stay in the fire He’s working in you a greater glory…

Don’t just fan the flame…STAY IN THE FLAME! 

So let me ask you…

Are you ready to offer yourselves as fuel for the fire?

Are you ready to light up a dark world and present the only hope they have?

Are you ready to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God?

Are you ready to be sent out to the nations?

Then we are ready to light the match and commend you as a whole, a willing and a worshiping sacrifice to the work of the Lord.

Burn Bright,

Burn Long,

Burn as a sweet aroma to the Lord…

Don’t just fan the flame …BECOME THE FLAME that lights up your family, lights up your community, that fearlessly lights up society!

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