Preached by Chris Broom, 2/3/2008

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Gustavo Banales (center in white) gets Baptized

Light the Fire Within - Outline

“They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” - Luke 24:32

In Luke 24 we read about the most history altering day ever; the day that God raised Jesus from the dead! First, we see some of the disciples going to the tomb early in the morning, where they meet angels who question them as to why they are looking for Jesus among the dead. They proclaim to the disciples that Jesus is alive, and they remind them that Jesus had told them he would suffer and then rise on the third day. The scriptures tell us, “Then they remembered his words (Luke 24:8).” My question to you is … what made them forget?

I can understand being forgetful, but how do you walk with Jesus for three years, see the miracles, hear him predict his death burial and resurrection on more than one occasion, see him die, see him buried and forget to be ready for his resurrection on the third day? The angel’s words confirm that the disciples should not have been looking for Jesus among the dead. Something happened that caused these faithful men and women to lose their faith. I believe the answer is very simple, and yet we fall into the same trap so easily. I hope you will listen to this sermon, and that it will help you when you forget Jesus’ words and lose your faith! Ultimately, the key to restoring your faith and your fire lies in the word of God. That’s what caused the hearts of the two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) to proclaim that their hearts were burning within them. Jesus took them back to the scriptures and their hearts were ignited!

Our hearts were ignited on Sunday as we studied God’s word and as we heard the testimony of men and women who are on fire for Jesus. Theo and Leslie Dawson (Bible Talk Leaders in Joliet) led a powerful communion message and Joel Parlour and Christina Walsh (Bible Talk Leaders at UIC) inspired us as they shared from a campus perspective about the contribution. Joel shared that he was turning in $500 that day towards our world mission‘s contribution which ends on April 27th. He also shared that his goal is $1000. Amen for young men and women that believe in investing so sacrificially in God’s kingdom! The church really erupted as our newest brother Gustavo was introduced. Gustavo had been baptized at the midweek service for the campus ministry. His mother shed tears of joy as he shared before the church.

Something else that will always “Light the Fire Within” is a great prayer time. Below is an outline that has helped me to focus in my prayer life. Try it out and please send a comment to let us know if it is helpful for you.

Prayer Outline: LIGHT THE FIRE!
Pray For An Hour / Five minutes for each segment.

L is for … Love the Lord: Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Pray about your love for God. Praise Him!

I is for … Increase our faith: The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5) Pray for God to give you more faith.

G is for … Great boldness: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29) Pray to repent of fear & speak with great boldness as you get open about where you really are, disciple others and share your faith.

H is for … Harvest is plentiful: He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2) Pray for every disciple in your bible talk to be compassionate and work for the harvest. Pray for the lost by name. Pray for studies, open people from all nations, influential people, and who will get baptized this week!

T is for … Testing of your faith: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the Testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2) Pray to be spiritual as you face the trials of the day, realizing that it is really your faith that is being tested. Pray for the weak and for disciples to not be discouraged.

T is for … Thankful: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and Thankful.” (Colossians 4:2) Pray for God to help you become more thankful and spend some time thanking Him for all he’s done and continues to do.

H is for … Humble: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he Humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8) Pray to have the humility of Jesus, to consider others better than yourself, and therefore, to be a servant. If we are humble, we will ask God daily for wisdom (James 1:5), and ask people daily for lot’s of advice (Proverbs 12:15).

E is for … Example: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an Example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) Pray to be a great example for others to follow.

F is for … Friends: After Job had prayed for his Friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10) Pray (specifically) for your friends and family.

I is for … Imitate: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and Imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7) Pray to imitate the faith of God’s leaders here in Chicago and all over the world, and pray for them by name.

R is for … Repentance: “Produce fruit in keeping with Repentance.” (Matthew 3:8) Pray (specifically) about what you need to repent of today to be like Jesus. Get open and go for it. God promises that this will lead to fruit in your life.

E is for … Expectation: “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in Expectation.” (Psalm 5:3) Pray specifically as you lay your requests before God and watch throughout the day as he amazes you.

Chris Broom

Categories: Sermons