How can we ensure our faith remains "burning continually" in daily life? Setting the Scene - God commanded Israel’s priests to keep the altar fire blazing day and night. - This constant flame pictured uninterrupted worship and God’s unbroken presence among His people. - Today, the altar is our heart (1 Corinthians 6:19). The call to keep the fire burning now applies to our personal faith and devotion. Core Passage “The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire, and he shall burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished.” Unchanging Principles from the Altar Fire - Continual, not occasional: God never intended a weekend faith; the flame is “continually.” - Personal responsibility: “Every morning the priest is to add firewood.” No one else can feed your flame for you. - Fresh fuel daily: Yesterday’s embers will not sustain today’s worship. - Divine-human partnership: God ignites, we maintain (cf. 2 Timothy 1:6). - Visibility and influence: A burning altar drew Israel’s eyes to God; a vibrant believer draws others to Christ (Matthew 5:16). Practical Steps to Keep the Flame Alive • Feed on Scripture daily – Manna spoiled overnight; fresh bread of the Word is needed each morning (Matthew 4:4). • Pray without ceasing – Dialoguing with God fans embers into flame (1 Thessalonians 5:17). • Offer regular praise and worship – Praise is spiritual oxygen; it clears out the ash of discouragement (Psalm 34:1). • Confess and forsake sin quickly – Unrepented sin is water on the fire (Psalm 66:18; 1 John 1:9). • Stay in fellowship with fervent believers – “As iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17); isolation starves the flame (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Serve others in love – Obedient action is fresh fuel; stagnant faith smolders (James 2:17). • Guard your intake – What entertains you either feeds or frustrates the Spirit (Philippians 4:8). Scripture Snapshots that Stoke the Fire - 1 Thessalonians 5:19 – “Do not quench the Spirit.” - Romans 12:11 – “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” - 2 Timothy 1:6 – “Fan into flame the gift of God…” - Luke 24:32 – “Were not our hearts burning within us…?” - Hebrews 12:29 – “Our God is a consuming fire.” Closing Encouragement The altar fire never died because priests showed up every morning, added wood, and removed yesterday’s ashes. Show up before God today—open His Word, lift your voice, confess, obey, love, and watch the flame in your heart burn continually. |
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