Fire and the Holy Spirit
Service link: https://youtu.be/yriy695bogQ
Readings: 2 Timothy 1:1-10, Psalm 139:1-14, Luke 3:7-17
Do you know the power of the Holy Spirit? Do you know how much the Holy Spirit can change your life and others for the better? You might remember when Jesus told us that we would do even greater things than him because Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit. You might then remember the amazing things the Holy Spirit did through the disciples throughout the book of Acts. How they spoke unknown truths, how they had the courage to face governments, cultures, and institutions, how they walked through wind, earthquake, and water, how they healed and raised from the dead, how they forgave, and most importantly how they lead thousands with changed hearts to follow Jesus. We will look at the book of Acts in the fall.
The early disciples could do all of this because Jesus had changed them and now the Holy Spirit was moving through them. Remember on Pentecost Sunday how the Holy Spirit in the wind and the fire descended on them and then the Holy Spirit lead them out. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the context for the church's powerful work back then and today.
That is why every Pentecost we have been taking some time to really focus on the Holy Spirit. We need to be praying for, watching for, and making space for the Holy Spirit to come into our lives.
John the Baptist tells us that he baptizes with water and repentance, but Jesus Christ has baptized us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. If we haven’t really experienced the Holy Spirit yet our question should then be why? What is different between us and the early disciples? What could be getting in the way?
Paul’s second letter to Timothy, a young priest, is helpful in this regard because he tells Timothy to rekindle, to fan the flame of the Holy Spirit. In this image, we can see that the Holy Spirit is already present in him, but the Holy Spirit is but a dull ember waiting for Timothy and for us to give Him fuel. The Holy Spirit can burn in us, it can excite and empower us, but we need to give it something, ourselves.
Paul goes on to tell us that this gift of the Holy Spirit is not a spirit of cowardice, it is about bravery and courage to step out when we feel scared, or worried, or when we know something is going to be difficult. We are to step out in power, in love, and in self-discipline. We might not always feel powerful, but it has never been about what we can do as Paul tells us, it is about what God can do with us. So we step out courageously trusting that God’s power will meet us there. We might not always feel love or happiness, but we can act and move knowing that love Himself lives in us. We might not feel capable, we might not want to do something, we probably don’t want to struggle, but God’s Spirit that did the work of creation wants to work in us too. He will strengthen us for self-discipline and then be empowered through it. These are all literal ways that we give fuel for the fire of the Holy Spirit. We give him aspects of ourselves and situations in our lives for him to live out powerfully.
In this way, the fire of the Holy Spirit will refine us. Our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies, are like weakened metal mixed with clay that will break under pressure because we are a combination of many different desires, temptations, faults, sins, and good. You can and will find good in everyone, but when pressure, temptation, and fear comes, many will snap. The Holy Spirit will use our repentance to burn away the dirt in us. The Holy Spirit will use our working and following him to replace our weaknesses, the clay with steel. When we desire for him, that passion, that fire in us turns into the refining fire that will shape and strengthen us. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit can our metal be strengthened enough to support and carry ourselves and others.
I have very little doubt that the more we step out in courage, the more we give ourselves over to the Spirit, the more we are willing to follow God with courage, power, love, and self-discipline the more we will see his miracles work. The more we will see the Holy Spirit actively working. The more we will know that God’s power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
I will admit that I have not experienced this as much as I would wish. I have not been as courageous as I should be for all that God has done for me and the powerful ways that he has worked in my life, but I have still experienced his power. I have seen him refining my weakness and sin through struggle, I have seen him act in ways that were beyond me and the moment.
One moment that comes to mind is when I was 14. In grade 9 of high school, I had the immense privilege to walk the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage across Spain. This was one of the greatest experiences of my life for so many reasons and I can say I met God there, partially due to my parents trusting me to walk alone.
One day I was walking through the wilderness. The ground was almost completely rock and there were mountains looming around me in the distance. As I walked, I had a familiar experience of exhaustion, only this time it kept getting worse. I remember my legs getting heavier and heavier until each step felt like lifting a bag of bricks. I could barely pick up my feet and they started to - - - in the dirt. Then I fell.
In fear, I pulled myself to the side of the path and tried to calm down. I told myself, I just need a drink, a rest, and to breathe. I can do this, I told myself, I just need a break. So I sat there for what felt like a very long time, longer than I thought was necessary. Then I try to pull myself up, only I can’t. I try again, but nothing. Again, nothing. I tell myself, that if I just can get standing I can walk. So I put all my effort and strength into one last-ditch effort. I fall flat on my face.
Now I am scared. I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure if I just dismissed the idea of people coming to help, or if I realized to finish the Camino I needed to face this too. But I remember sitting there terrified, having nothing left. So I turned to prayer. I closed my eyes and prayed, “God I need you. I can’t do this on my own. God, please help me I need you. I need you”. I kept repeating this for I don’t know how long, but I remember suddenly feeling this settled realization that God wasn’t going to answer. Only then did I open my eyes and I was walking. I could feel my feet moving and yet at the same time, it felt like I was just watching it. It was like I was literally using someone else's strength because I was.
God got me to the hostel and into bed. Where I fell asleep in seconds. I slept for 18 hours and woke up absolutely rejuvenated like I had new energy and life in me, which I did. I have experienced that numerous times since, but in different ways. That was just one moment though where I made space and put my trust in God, but only just imagine what else is possible with God’s Holy Spirit working in us.
So remember, the Holy Spirit is in you. We need to rekindle and fan his flame in us. We do this by praying, making space, and stepping out courageously, with power, love, and self-discipline. We will struggle, but God’s Spirit will get us through. We will come up against our weakness and fear, but the Holy Spirit can refine even that. So let us bravely trust as we act knowing that the Holy Spirit will powerfully work through us. AMEN
Bible Study Questions:
Readings: 2 Timothy 1:1-10, Psalm 139:1-14, Luke 3:7-17
What stood out to you about Rev. Philip’s story about the Holy Spirit powerfully working in His life? Was there anything you question or struggle with?
Luke 3:7-17
How is Jesus and John’s baptism different? Why was John’s baptism an important starting place?
How does the fire that burns the cut down tree in vs. 9 and the chaff in vs. 17 related to the fire and Spirit we are baptised with?
What does it mean to be baptised with fire and the Holy Spirit?
Do we feel like we have been baptised in this way? If not, why do you think that is the case?
What does Psalm 139 tell us about the Holy Spirit’s presence?
2 Timothy 1:1-10
Vs. 6-7 What is the gift that Paul gave Timothy through the laying on of hands?
Why would Timothy need to rekindle or fan this?
How does Paul commend Timothy to help this flame? How could these things work together with the Holy Spirit to rekindle the fire?
Vs. 8 How does these characteristics of the Spirit relate to testimony, the gospel and Christian suffering?
Extra:
Luke 3:7-17
Vs 7 - Why does John call them a brood of vipers?
What is the wrath to come? Who warned them?
Vs. 8 - How are they fleeing? How does John tell them to flee from the wrath? Why is this important?
Why would they be tempted to use their lineage with Abraham to defend themselves from this wrath? Why doesn’t it?
Vs. 9 - Why would someone cut down a tree that doesn’t bear fruit?
What does this image of the axe ready at the roots say to you?
Vs. 10-14 - What is John pointing us to with these commands? How would these bear the fruit of repentance?
What do you think John’s command be for your life and work?
Vs. 15 Why were they excited for the messiah? Why do they think John might be him?
Vs. 16 How would they have understood this power? What about John?
Vs. 17 What is the purpose of this gather? What is the wheat and the chaff? Can we bear both?
2 Timothy 1:1-10
Vs. 1 How is Paul an apostle and for what? What does this tell us about our discipleship?
Vs. 2 What does Paul mean here by beloved and child?
What is grace, mercy and peace? How are they related?
Vs. 3 Why is Paul’s gratitude important?
How does he have a clear conscience?
Vs. 5 What is important about a sincere faith? Why is this important to passing it on? How might ours be more sincere?
Vs. 8 Why would Timothy be ashamed?
Vs. 9 What does it mean that God saved us not by our works, but by his purpose and grace? Why is this important?
How could this grace be given through Christ before ages began? What does this mean for history, us and creation?
Vs. 10 Why was it important that this grace and purpose be fully revealed and seen in Jesus Christ?
How has Jesus abolished death? What does that mean for us?
How has he brought life and immortality to light through the gospel? How can we know and see this?
