Burning House
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Introduction
Introduction
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Pray
Introduction:
Introduction:
The Vision I had of a Burning House.
You see a burning house is a perfect metaphor for evangelism because it allows us to make so many points about the process.
In fact, when investigators go into a burning house, they look for three things:
The Origin - The place the fire started.
The Cause - or reason for the fire.
The Presence of Accelerants - or things that fuel the fire.
According to a recent study by Barna, 95% of Christians say they have never led anyone to Jesus.
Do you think this means that 95% of Christians actively want to see everyone go to hell?
I don’t think so. I think it is because many of them do not understand that this house is on fire.
Point 1: Origin: The Metaphor of a Burning House
Point 1: Origin: The Metaphor of a Burning House
By it’s very nature. a burning house speaks of urgency.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
In fact, the BIble has a lot to say about fire.
13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
Fire is refining, purifying, and destructive.
In fact, the Bible says our God is a consuming fire.
The question is, “What are we going to let the fire do in our lives?”
Are we going to let it refine us and purify us?
Are we going to let it destroy us?
What we have to realize is the origin of the fire.. the fire is all around us encompassing on every side pressing with an urgency
Fire is on all sides. We were born into it.
Point 2: Cause: Who Set The Fire?
Point 2: Cause: Who Set The Fire?
Many people incorrectly assert that God sends people to hell. That is not true, He saves them from hell, and we can realize this by understanding exactly who it was that started the fire.
Paul explains to us that it was us who set the fire—mankind. Death and sin entered the world.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
The Way Out:
The Way Out:
Jesus says:
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
In fact, if we look at Matthew 7:13-14, we can see that the way out is narrow and the broad way leads to destruction.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
One interesting part of my vision was the way the house was laid out. There was a single narrow door and a very wide window. I began to study it and think on this verse, and what I discovered when doing a little background research was that many times
Upon doing some research, I found out that authorities are very clear about not busting out windows, especially not big windows during house fires because while it may look like a way out, it can flashover and the immediate inflow of Oxygen will cause the flames to consume.
Does that sound like the wide and narrow gate to you?
Jesus Christ is the door, He is the only way out.
Point 3: Accelerants: Fueling the Fire
Point 3: Accelerants: Fueling the Fire
Time is getting slim. There is not much time.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What man or woman seeing their friend in the midst of a house fire and seeing the only way out would not tell them?
In fact, the Bible is very clear on what happens if we do not warn others.
18 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
We have Christians too busy playing church and fussing while the house is on fire.
We cannot play church. If we can’t move in unity, we cannot move.
Altar Call.