THE CHURCH ON FIRE

"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language" -  Acts  2:3-6

A big church caught fire sometime ago and an infidel in the town came and made himself available to fight the fire. As the crowds were leaving, a lady approached him and said, "This is the first time I have seen you in our church." He said, "This is the first time the church has ever been on fire." 

When God wanted to get the attention of Moses in the back side of the desert, he set the bush on fire (Exodus 3:1-4). When God wanted to draw the attention of unbelievers to the church in Jerusalem, He set the church on fire (Acts  2:3-6). So, fire is the only proven tool or medium for advertising God's agenda for man (Luke 24:49). The disciples waited in the upper room until God set them on fire and multitude began to troop in. Even without creative jingles, large banners, huge church social responsibility (CRS) budget, the good news went round the city of Jerusalem like wild fire and thousands were brought to the saving knowledge of Christ. 

Beloved, God has not changed his method of getting the attention of sinners. He wants His church to be on fire at all time. There are multitude outside the church that will not come in unless they see the fire of God burning fiercely upon the souls of believers in the church. Many Moses at the back side of the desert today will never encounter God unless there is fire on the pulpit and pew. God expects us to be carriers and mobile dispensers of His blazing fire like the disciples of old. Unfortunately, we are carrying fire extinguishers around in the church today. The wall of our souls are decorated with fire extinguishers of prayerless, disunity, disobedience, arrogance, impurity and others. We cleverly cover up our lack of fire by deploying comedy, gimmick, psychology, gorgeous dresses, massive cathedrals to woo unbelievers to Christ. Are these methods really working? The answer is "no". Unbelievers are not coming because the church is not on fire. 

Friends, when the fire falls on the pew and pulpit, we would not need to use any other worldly methods to get the attention of sinners. They will come from far and near to catch a glimpse of the devil-driving and sin-killing blazing fire of God. How I wish every believer can be set on fire for God like those devoted disciples of old. How I wish ministers of the gospel can rely more on the blazing fire of God more than their oratory skills and good command of English language. How I wish the choristers, Sunday School and Children Church teachers can pray more that God should set their tongues on fire before they minister. How I wish the ushers and protocol will henceforth be dressed in the robe/ uniform of glowing fire before serving in church. 

"Pentecostal Fire is Falling" is the title of a powerful hymn that describes how the blazing fire fell in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. As you prayerfully meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn, may God ignite a fresh fire in your soul to serve God in the acceptable way that would draw multitudes to Jesus Christ . 

PENTECOSTAL FIRE IS FALLING by George Bennard (1873-1958)

We are told of pentecost,

How the blessed Lord’s disciples

Tarried for the Holy Ghost.

Pentecostal fire fell on them,

Burning up their sin and dross,

Filling them with pow’r for service,

Making them a mighty host.

Refrain:

          Pentecostal fire is falling,

          Praise the Lord, it fell on me,

          Pentecostal fire is falling,

          Brother, it will fall on thee.

Pentecost can be repeated,

For the Lord is just the same,

Yesterday, today, forever,

Glory to His precious name!

Saints of God can be victorious

Over sin and death and hell;

Have a full and free salvation,

And the blessed story tell.

When the Church of Jesus tarries,

Pentecostal fire will fall;

Sin and wrong will be defeated,

Sinners on the Lord will call.

She will march to glorious vict’ry,

Over ev’ry land and sea,

Lifting high the blood-stained banner,

Holiness her motto be. 

As we spend quality time praying for the outpouring of the Spirit of God, the fire will descend mightily upon the church and multitude will run to the feet of the cross. Every fire extinguisher that is quenching the fire of God in the church shall be destroyed completely. And we shall conquer territories for God and holiness shall be our motto till Christ returns in Jesus name, Amen.  

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, I want to invite you to the November 2020 Holy Ghost service. Date: Friday, November 6th, 2020. Theme: Let The Light Shine -10 (Dream Again). Time: 6pm (Nigerian Time). Venue: Watch live on DoveTv,  YouTube and other streaming channels. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy G.O - Pastor E.A Adeboye and other anointed Ministers of God.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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