KEEP THE FIRE BURNING (PART 1)
INTRODUCTION:
We thank God for the wonderful series on the Blessed Ones and trusting God that from now onwards we shall live a life of those the Lord Jesus categorised as the blessed ones.
Today’s study talks about keeping our fire of prayer and sacrifices unto the Lord burning in order to continue moving the hands of the almighty God in our favour.
May you be blessed with fresh and constant fire of the Holy Spirit from today in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
CENTRAL BIBLE PASSAGE: LEVITICUS 6:1-14
1. Why the need to keep the fire burning
The sacrifice of burnt offerings was a command from God to the children of Israel. The burnt offering was offered both in the morning and in the evening, as well as on special days such as the Sabbath, the new moon, and the yearly feasts, rituals, performed after child birth, for an unclean discharge or haemorrhage or after a person who was keeping a Nazarite vow was defiled.
It was a way of atoning, pleading for their sin before God;
It was also a way of bringing memorial of the covenant relationship that God had with people.
It was a way of worshipping God and doing things that are pleasing to Him.
It was also a way of fulfilling their purpose and destiny which is to glorify and honour God. It was a way of obeying God so that He can release His blessings upon them.
Num. 28:1-6; 29:1-2; 2 Chron. 2:4-6; 2 Chron. 31:3; Lev. 12:6-8; 15:14-15, 29-30; Num. 6:10-11; Lev. 6:14-15; Ex. 19:14-15; Ex. 19:3-6; Gen. 15:1-6; Deut. 28:1-2; Rev. 4:10-11
2. What is the relevance of the burnt offering unto us today?
The priests were the ones in charge of the administration or the operation of the burnt offerings in the Old Testament and they were expected to offer it to the Lord continuously, morning and offered Himself as sacrifice for sin of humanity.
He has made us now priests of the New Testaments in order for us to connect and appropriate the blessings of His sacrifice and that of the burnt sacrifice unto God. We are therefore expected to stand before God in worship and prayer in order to receive the full blessings of the burnt sacrifice and the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Heb. 10:2-25; Rev. 1:5-6; Heb. 4:14-16; Jn. 4:23-24; Psa. 27:1-8; 42:1-4; 2 Sam. 22:1-4, 29-57; Lk. 24:49; Rev. 5:8; 8:1-5; Acts 1:13-15; 2:1-4; 4:24, 31-33; 1 Cor. 15:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:9-10; Eph.3:20
KEEP THE FIRE BURNING (PART 2)
INTRODUCTION:
In the first series of this study, we were introduced to the law or the ordinance of burnt offering, the need to fire on the altar burning and the relevance of the sacrifice of burnt offering to believers today.
Today’s study examines further the significance of burnt offering and how we can keep the fire burning.
May the LORD reveals His ways more unto us as we study the Word of GOD together on this topic in Jesus’ name. Amen.
CENTRAL BIBLE PASSAGE: GENESIS 8:18 – 9:17
A. The Significant of Burnt Offering (Keeping the fire burning)
Majorly, it generates divine response and blessings. It reminds God of His covenant with His people, makes God to act favourably towards His people, forgives their sin, heal their land, fight their battles and gives them victory. In today’s contemporary practice, by virtue of the sacrifice of Jesus and the institution of New Testament in His blood, the offering of burnt sacrifices has been replaced with the offering of our lives to God in praises, worship, prayer and thanksgiving with individual financial giving and service unto God.
Gen. 8:20-22; Gen. 9:1-2, 7-12; Lev. 6:14-15; Num. 28:6-8; 2 Chron. 2:4-5; 2 Chron. 1:4-12; Lev. 26:2-12; Deut. 28:1-3; Jer. 33:3; Heb. 10:19-25; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:9-10; Heb. 13:15; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Lk. 18:1-8; Lk. 11:1-10; Acts 2:42; 1 Thess. 5:17-18; Phil. 4:6-7; Rev. 4:6-7; Rev. 5:8; 8:1-5
B. How can we keep the fire burning?
In order for us to experience continuous divine response and blessings, it is evident we have to keep the fire burning.
The question then comes as to how can I keep the fire burning? These Seven points can help in keeping the fire burning.
1. Have the knowledge that without it, your ordained blessings might not flow to you continuously. 2. Make a decision to carry it out.
3. Make concrete plans or strategy to achieving your decision.
4. Be determined.
5. Cooperate with others.
6. Depend on diving grace.
7. Do regular examination.
Jn. 16:24; Lk. 11:9-10; Acts. 2:1-2; 1: 8-15; 1 Cor. 15:1-6; Col. 4:12-13; Ps. 27:4; Ps. 55:17; Heb. 10:25; Mt. 18:19-20; Eccl. 4:9-10; Acts. 4:24, 31-33; Zech. 4:6-7; 2 Cor. 9:8; 12:9; 13:5; Eph. 5:14-17; Rev. 3:14-19