“Catch Fire in 50 Days”
June 5th, 2011
This Easter series is from our Annual Conference and is based on the theme “Catch Fire in 50 Days.” This year our Annual Conference comes almost 50 days after Easter. SO the 50 days moves not only to Pentecost but also to our Annual Conference.
“Start More Fires”
Acts 11-13:3
John 17:1-11 “Jesus Prays”
Ascension – Fires – Starting Fires
Opening Question: How are most fires started?
(Excluding fires for cooking & heating)
*Ascension à The Apostles’ Creed à UMH 881
Ascension Day: 40 days after the Resurrection (Acts 1:3)
- Only Son
- Conceived by the Holy Spirit
- Born of the Virgin Mary
- Suffered under Pontius Pilate
- Crucified, dead, and buried
- Rose from the dead
- Ascended into heaven
- Sitteth at the right hand of God
- Judge the quick and the dead
The Great Commission: (Matthew 28:19-20)
Go Make Disciples, Baptize, Teach
**Fires: The Bad and the Good
Bad: Destructive, Hell fire & damnation, Cooking
Good: Purifying, Strengthening, Cooking
Fire is also figuratively used:
Gods glory (Dan 7:9),
His holiness (Isa. 33:14),
His protection of His people (2 Kings 6:17; Zec. 2:5),
His jealousy for His sole worship (Deut. 4:24; Heb. 12:29) His wrath (Deut. 9:3; Ps. 18:8; Ps. 89:46; Isa. 5:24),
Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3),
Christ in His glory (Rev 1:14),
***Starting Fires
Top Five Causes of Wild Fires:
- Lightning
- Volcanic eruption
- Sparks from rock falls
- Spontaneous combustion, and
- Human activity
Smokey the Bear: “Only you can prevent forest fires
Holy Spirit: Only you can start “fires” for Jesus
“And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, & Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3; NRSV)
Where do Forest Fires Start?
Top: Lightning
Bottom: Human activity
“And all of God’s people said, ‘Amen!’”