THE HOLY SPIRIT  - (PART 3)       

 

Memory Verse:  “He shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”

                                                        Matt. 3:11.             

 

Bible Passage: Matt. 3: 1-12.

 

LESSON OBJECTIVE  

To be able, at the end of the lesson,  to know that the Holy Spirit is not just a fire, but a CONSUMING FIRE.

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION.

The Holy Spirit is like fire, and where fire burns, it normally leaves its marks behind. We shall see in today’s lesson what the Holy Spirit does as a consuming fire.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 1: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE

 

One of the names of the Lord is a CONSUMING FIRE, Hebr. 12:29.

 

Why does the Lord possess the character of a consuming fire? See Deut. 4: 23-24.

We are God’s special possession, and as such, He will not share such a precious possession with another. If need be, He will descend on us with His fire to burn up and free us from impurities and any entanglements with sin. Such forceful separation may not be a nice experience when it takes place, but it  is essential if the Lord’s purpose for our lives will be fulfilled, Ps. 138: 8.

Do we know anything about such violent separation from sin?

If we belong to Him, our jealous God will strike one day if we continue dilly-dallying with sin.

 

Other manifestations of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the nature of fire include:

i). The day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1-4.

ii). Moses at Mount Horeb, Exodus 3: 1-2.

iii). Elijah and King Ahab/prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, I Kings 18: 38.

These passages do not yet show Him in His role as a consuming fire.

 

 LESSON OUTLINE 2: THE CONSUMING FIRE

 

What and what does the Holy Spirit do in His role as a consuming fire?

 i). Purifies us as vessels to make us fit for the Master’s use.

See Mal. 3:3: Tit. 2:14; 2 Tim. 2: 20-21.

ii). Destroys the wicked and their evil plans. See II Kings 1: 9-15.

iii). Can burn wood, stone and water -> He cannot be resisted. See I Kings 18: 38.

iv). Separates the chaff from the wheat. See Matt. 3: 11-12.

v). Empowers the believer with fresh anointing to do great exploits for the Lord.

See Acts 14: 8-11.

vi). Will consume the enemies of Christ. See Jude 6-7.

 

SUMMARY

Whenever the Holy Spirit fire falls, it burns – it burns the wickedness of the wicked and any impurities in the righteous. Let the Holy Spirit fire burn freely, O Lord.