God's Arsonists - - Posted 06-16-2010
     
Matthew 3:11 quotes John the Baptist.

     "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier
than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and
with fire:"

John was speaking of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One of Israel, the Messiah. Jesus would
baptize his followers with the Holy Ghost,...

And with FIRE!

Jesus taught His disciples in John 14, verses 16 and 26;

     "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide
with you for ever;...But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in
my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you."

And again in John 16:7,

     "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not
away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."

Jesus lastly spoke to His followers before His ascension into Heaven in Acts 1:4-8.

     "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not
depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have
heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost
not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,
Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is
not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth."

Finally, the Apostle Peter preached in Acts 2:38 and 39;

     "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the
promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that afar off, even as many as the Lord
our God shall call."

My friend, it is God's will that you be baptized with the Holy Ghost!

And, along with the Holy Ghost, God desires to endue "POWER" or "FIRE" to your life.

The word "fire" in Matthew 3:11 is translated to mean; fiery or lightning.

Hot. Explosive. Powerful. Igniting.

Therefore, the message comes forth.

By definition, an ARSONIST; is someone who starts or lights fires to see an end result.

It has always been the design of God that one believer inspire another believer. That His
followers encourage one another.

The question follows:

ARE YOU DOING YOUR JOB TO IGNITE THE PASSION OF OTHERS FOR CHRIST'S
SAKE???

Do you strive to be an encouragement to your fellow church members?

Have you given your best effort to inspire and cultivate zeal in those to whom you minister?

The most common malady in the church is defeated Christians. Sadly, this depressed,
lethargic, and tired attitude does little to drive others to be excited about the God that saved
them!

How motivated would a sports team be if the coach gave them a pep talk like many
Christians talk to other believers?

I can hear the speech now...

Coach: Ok, team....uh....I know we haven't won a game in awhile. I know it's been rough this
year. I'm honestly not sure if we have a chance against these guys. I mean, they are a really
tough team. They are undefeated. And, look how big they are...

Team: You're right Coach, we may as well pack it up now...

HOGWASH!!!!

It's time for the church to rise up off it's lees and stand to her feet!!!

Be encouraged today to know that your God is still alive! Christ is risen! The Holy Ghost is
real!

And, you can make it!!!

Now that I have proven to you that it is possible to be encouraging, you try.

I challenge you to be an arsonist for God! I dare you to be an encouragement instead of a
discouragement.

Try to start a fire in your next church service. (Just stay in the will of God, and not in the
flesh!!)

It could be as simple as saying "AMEN" to the preacher when he preaches.

Maybe it will be your special song that ignites the souls of the young people to find an altar
of prayer.

Your testimony to God's power may encourage your neighbor to honor God with his life.

The possibilities are unlimited! The results are inevitable!

YOU CAN HELP OTHERS SERVE THE LORD!!!

Be an encouragement. Be a friend. Be an inspiration.

Be an Arsonist for God!

If this philosophy scares you or brings conviction to your life; be encouraged.

You can still make a difference in someone's life. Begin with a closer walk with Christ.

II Corinthians 6:2 says,"...behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of
salvation.”  (emphasis mine)