Moments with my First Love [UNDER REVISION]

MOMENT 90: Perks of an On-Fire Christian

Of all the preaching we have heard...
Of all the Word of God we have studied...
Does our knowledge matches our application?

Philippians 4:19 "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me─put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

There's always a benefit when we apply the Word of God in our lives. And when we say benefit, this is where we can relate our topic in this page.

Our dwelling verse will be found on Luke 24:13-32 and Acts 4:1-13. Let's go first with the first mentioned passage.

What happened there was right after Christ resurrection from the 3-day death due to crucifixion on the cross. Now, it tells the scene where the disciples, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the Mother of James and the other woman, and Peter, saw Jesus' tomb was empty. So Peter went home with Cleopas taking the road of Emmaus, talking with each other.

During their conversation about the tomb, here comes Jesus, drew near to them and went with them. But the two didn't recognized Him and Jesus didn't introduce who really is He. So, the conversation went on with Jesus until He bid goodbye, but the disciples resisted and invited Jesus to stay and spent the night with them.

Now, Jesus agreed. It was when they are about to eat their dinner, Jesus performed the breaking of bread and prayer of thanksgiving before sharing the bread to them. At once, Peter and Cleopas' eyes were opened and recognized Jesus, but the latter vanished from the sight.

At once, they said to each other as verse 32 stated, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"

Remember, fire has many significant symbols in the Scriptures, but we are talking about in here is the fire for God.

What makes our fire burning is through personal experience with Jesus and real encounter with His Words.

Most of the times as a Christian, we though that we are just okay. We thought our fire is just fine because we still listen and read His Words. We are remaining in the ministry. We still strive to do the works of the Lord. Bu admit it or not, our fire in the Lord when we are new to our relationship with Him is no longer the same fire we have today.

That's why our fires must be rekindled! Our fire matters. It determines the level of our relationship with God and the level of your knowledge of Him!

Rekindle

- The fire has lost, and it needs to be revived

- To start or stir up again

And that's what happened to Cleopas and Peter. Their fire lit up in them because they experienced Jesus again and encountered His Word. Take note, even their ministry for God here on earth had benefit because of what they experienced.

Let's connect this passage to the next dwelling verse.

In Acts 4:1-13, Peter and John were being persecuted by the priest, captain of the temple and Saducces because they are proclaiming the Gospel of Salvation. They were even put in custody because of it. But Peter and John are both on-fire Christians, so they remained unstoppable!

There is always perks to an on-fire Christians!

Perks

- An advantage or benefit following from a job or situation

- Are special benefits that are given to people who have a particular job or belonging to a particular group

Being a Christian is a privilege, but it is our job as a Christian to rekindle our fire when it is lost. It is our responsibility to keep it alive and burning until the last!

Perks of an on-fire Christian:

1. Many will hear and believe (Acts 4:4)

"But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Isang patunay na on-fire ka ay 'yong may napapaniwala ka sa Kanya at nadadala mo sa paanan Niya.

Dahil ang on-fire Christian ay nakakahawa!

Acts 11:23-24 "When he (Barnabas) came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

When God filled you with His fire, He'll make you overflow to the point that you could not restrain your mouth to speak of Him.

Naisin natin maging palaging maapoy upang mas magamit tayo ng Diyos para makapagligtas ng mga tao mula sa panaghoy!

Panaghoy

- Lugar ng kaparusahan sa mga hindi kumilala sa Diyos at hindi nagsisi sa Kanilang mga kasalanan

Remember our first point: many will hear and believe in God. It only means that Peter and John preached and shared the salvation of Christ. As Romans 10:17 stated, "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ."

If we really want to be part of God's Kingdom expansion, win souls! If we really want a new generation to follow the ministry of God, make disciples! But first, be on-fire!

You will never win if you don't have the fire within!

2. Jesus will be made known for more. (Acts 4:9-12)

When my uncle, who is a Pastor, was trying to win my soul for Jesus before, I really thought that God is that Supreme and High that I cannot even reach Him. Well, no one cannot reach Him indeed but what I mean to say, I thought that because of His Holiness and power, I will no longer had the chance to be close with Him or have a relationship with Him.

And when it was my brother who is trying to put Jesus in the conversation, I couldn't relate and I don't want to hear anything about Him. Because I didn't know Jesus well.

But because of the fire of God within them, I've got to know Jesus more. That He is my personal Savior, the Lover of my soul, my good friend and Lord.

How did Peter (in the passage) made Jesus known?

a. As Healer – of both physical and spiritual aspect

b. Cornerstone – strong foundation, reliable foundation

c. Savior – not just from our earthy problems but of our soul.

Just by being on-fire, you will make Jesus known for more!

Actually, this is true... Even though you are not yet speaking or preaching, the way you carry the very fire of God will already make Him known to people.

Another meaning of on-fire is you have a deeper knowledge and experience of Him!

Kapag maapoy, mas maraming kahoy!

In the book of Leviticus, wood symbolizes the Word of God. The Word of God will make you on-fire. God's Word is your fuel.

Kapag on-fire ka, mas maipapakilala mo si Kristo sa iba!

3. People will recognize Jesus in you.

We became Christian to be different! We can only make difference when we are living differently!

If for instance, almost everyone in your family speaks bad words... be different! Speak hallelujah!
If your friends have no sense of responsibility, be different! Be an example in being responsible!
If your workmates are cheating in your boss, be different! Be faithful!

Kapag sumasalungat ka sa pare-parehong mali na ginagawa ng mundo, si Kristo ang naipapakilala mo!

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the standard of this world..."

An anonymous stated, "A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right and evil doesn't become good. Just because it's accepted by a majority."

Kapag on-fire ka, iba ka!
At kapag iba ka, si Jesus ang iyong ipinapakilala!

Shalom!
Glory be all to God! :)