Fire & Reign

I have created a blog specifically for Fire & Reign. If you would like to follow along my journey, please go here.

www.fccfireandreign.blogspot.com

Fire & Reign - Introduction

What would happen if the Holy Spirit took full control of my life today? The fact that I am a follower of Jesus Christ means that the Spirit is leading me day by day. Am I hearing, listening and obeying the Spirit? What would this look like? Would that mean preaching on street corners or another continent? Would I do things that cause my family, friends, neighbors and coworkers to think I am foolish? Would my life be stripped of fun, pleasure and relaxation and replaced with grinding responsibility and suffering?

Probably not. Rather the Spirit would change me into the kind of person we read about in the Book of Acts:

• I would be a man whose love for God and other people is so strong, real and infectious that people would wnat to know its source.
• I would wait on the Lord's direction and empowerment and then watch God use me to do remarkable things beyond what I can imagine.
• Speak the truth boldly, yet in humility always aware that it is only by Christ's sacrifice that I am rescued from God's wrath.
• My door and heart would be open to people as I watch God transform broken people into devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
• I would have a confident faith and hope that nothing could discourage or dissuade me from doing God's will.

How about my church what would that look like if the Spirit was more alive? Would people begin practicing spiritual gifts? Would healings and miracles be commonplace? Would worshippers become more physically expressive?

More likely it would be along these lines:

• People drawn to repentance from sin.
• Greater understanding of Christ's priorities for His church.
• Empower Chirst followers to make a measurable impact for Christ in the community.
• Stir a passion to know Jesus, become more like Him and display Him to a world that needs Him.
• Prompt people to reconcile differences, seek each other's gain and love one another as Christ loves His church.

As I ponder this, I have to ask myself if I want more of the Holy Spirit's power and presence in my life and in my church? There is a fear in me. What will happen to me? What will people think? Oh, my insecurities and lack of faith. It's time to face into them!

It's high time I give Christ's Spirit more authority in my life and in my church.

Fire & Reign

My home church is beginning a sermon series to reacquaint our congregration with Christ's kingdom priorities for His church and to evoke Spirit empowered engagement to achieve His mission. We are calling this emphasis on spiritual renewal "Fire & Reign" - the fire of God's Spirit for the reign of God's Son.

Have you ever wondered how does the Lord shape, change and grow a spiritually healthy and fruitful congregration?

The first seven chapters of the Book of Acts tell the story of the Jerusalem church. A small band of Galilean disciples grew together into a multicultural movement that changed lives and impacted communities and nations. How did it happen? The answer is found in the power of God's Spirit at work in the lives of believing people.

That first church shared the same challenges and uncertainties we face today. How does a fellowship of believers characterized by strong personalities and human fralitiess follow Christ together? The account of the Jerusalem church is our case study for thinking about Jesus' priorites for our congregration and the next chapter is waiting to be written.

This study was written to help participants personally embrace Jesus' kingdom priorities for His church. It is written by Jerry Sheveland President of the Baptist General Conference. More information about this study can be found here.

Over the next 10 weeks I will be posting my thoughts as I work through the Study.