God is a consuming fire (Exodus 3:1-6, Hebrews 12:18-29)
New series: ‘The Fire’ – think about Pentecost and what means for us today – esp. idea of fire.
What are uses of fire? ASK – FEEDBACK – let’s think about Fire in bible....
Provision – (not in passage, general point) fire the great provider – light, warmth, cooking – carried
around with them – e.g. Abraham with Isaac Gen 22:6. Fire is a luxury now, not a necessity –
fireworks, open fire – but in biblical times (and most of history) one of fundamentals.
But this aspect not primarily associated with God – setting context for 2 main points:
Presence of God – how God met Moses: burning bush READ v2. Became sign of God’s presence
with people:
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Desert – pillar of fire
Temple: Altar of burnt offerings in Lev (started by God, kept going continuously)
Elijah and prophets of Baal (sign of presence of god)
Forward to NT – what does John the Baptist promise about Jesus – he will baptise with the Holy
Spirit and with WHAT?
 No surprise that when Pentecost comes – how does presence of God manifest itself? FIRE
Fire is sign of presence of God throughout bible. Important for Christians too - motto of Salvation
Army? Blood and fire – blood of Jesus, fire of Spirit. As I was preparing, I was reminded of first
verse of William Booth’s great hymn (unfortunately not in hymn books):
O God of burning cleansing flame / Send the fire
Your blood-bought gift today we claim / Send the fire today
Look down and see this waiting host / And send the promised Holy Ghost
We need another Pentecost / Send the fire today, Send the fire today
Purity – READ v4-5 – God’s fire makes it ‘holy ground’. Key property of fire is heat – dual purpose:
it creates e.g. warmth, but it also destroys e.g. burning off impurities. ‘The refiner’s fire.’ And we
can see this side in bible too:
 e.g. destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen 19
 or Israelites using a fire to destroy their idols (Ex 32) – ‘bonfire of the vanities’. God reminds
Moses in Ex 32: ‘no-one may see my face and live’ – God of the OT is like a great fire – draws us
to his warmth, but his purity means that we can’t get too close
But important thing to note here is that Moses could – God’s fire accessible to certain people.
What changes? Again, Jesus changes everything. Opens way for all people to know God – hence
he baptises with HS and with fire. God’s fire now accessible to all – Pentecost. Like Moses it draws
us and blesses us but now it does not consume us. We are conscious of a new purity, a new
presence, but this fire also brings us joy and hope, not terror. With fire of God we too can burn
like the burning bush, drawing others and causing them to wonder about presence of God. ‘Holy
ground’ is no longer just one mountain, but now wherever the people of God gather with his fire.
Pick up Hebrews – two sides of fire – on one hand, it draws us – now in New Covenant (NT) we
can approach God, not in terror but in grace. As says READ v18-20s – instead v22a.
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God is approachable through Jesus – why? READ v24. Jesus is enough –reverses curse that came
upon humanity with blood of Abel. His Spirit brings us peace, purpose, promise of hope.
But – reminder in v28-29 – God is still God. Like any naked flame we rejoice in it but we don’t take
it for granted. e.g. Prayer meeting at All Saints this week – light candle – got too close to another
candle and singed my hand slightly. Key word here is awe. ‘Healthy fear’ – awareness of who
you’re dealing with.
Last week, watched Bruce almighty – scene where meets God – thinks he’s the cleaner and treats
him as such (he’s rude to him) – then realises who he is – demeanour changes. We no longer need
to cower before God, but we never forget that he is God.
Hebrews written to people who were thinking of giving up on God, of renouncing their faith. Key
message of book – keep going! But occasional warning – don’t forget who you’re giving up on. Not
just a lifestyle choice – almighty creator.
As close today – what does the fire mean to us?
Presence – we can seek God because fire does not consume us. We need the presence of God –
Pentecost is a living reality for all of us. Perhaps like Moses you’re conscious of God’s presence
near to you, and you’re wondering whether to investigate. Like a fire, is God drawing you towards
him? How will you respond? Will you take your courage, like Moses, and answer that call?
Or maybe you’re sensing that God is calling you to experience more of his presence. Will you
welcome the fire?
Purity – fire of God burns off impurities. Is there anything God’s fire needs to burn off in us? Light
of his fire does 2 things: reveals it and then deals with it. Fire that cleanses and purifies. Not a bad
sign by the way – don’t see things in the darkness, only as get closer to the light that the
imperfections are obvious!
Awe – let’s remember who we’re worshipping, who we’re serving. We have a great God, the God
of consuming fire.
Finish with rest of words of Booth’s hymn ‘O God of cleansing burning flame – may it be our prayer
today:
God of Elijah hear our cry / Send the fire
And make us fit to live or die / Send the fire today
To burn up every trace of sin / To bring the light and glory in
The revolution now begin / Send the fire today, Send the fire today
It's fire we want for fire we plead / Send the fire
The fire will meet our every need / Send the fire today
For strength to always do what's right / For grace to conquer in the fight
For power to walk the world in white / Send the fire today, Send the fire today
To make our weak hearts strong and brave / Send the fire
To live a dying world to save / Send the fire today
Oh see us on Your altar lay / We give our lives to You today
So crown the offering now we pray / Send the fire today, Send the fire today (Send...) Amen.
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