Ignite - Consumed by a Burning Desire
Have you ever seen someone who was consumed by a burning desire? Think of a kindergartener at school with their hand waiving in the air and a burning desire to speak. Or a person like Martin Luther King Jr. who was compelled to speak out about injustice. You’ve probably experienced this yourself - where something inside moves you to the point where you feel you must say something. People who are white-hot for God have a burning desire to talk about Him with others.
Listen: Audio of this message coming soon.
Sermon Notes
Jeremiah was a prophet for Isreal during a time in its history when it was spiraling downward. The rich were exploiting the poor. Sexual promescuity had become commonplace. People were even peforming human sacrifices and the king and clergy looked the other way. As a result economy, the education system, and the military were in state of decay.
Because Jeremiah had a burning desire for God and for the people, he felt compelled to speak up. He goes to the king and speaks to him. He goes to the clergy and speaks to them. He speaks out to his countrymen, calling them to repent.
Jeremiah received a lot of abuse for speaking up. He faced the dilema - do I stop talking or do I continue to speak and make people mad at me?
But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. - Jeremiah 20:9
Staying silent is an option you can no longer consider any more.
There is something about spreading the fire that burns in you that increases the intensity of the fire that burns within you. It doesn’t diminish it.
- Reflect - Reflect on God’s love for you and all people.
- Walk - Walk across the room, the office, the sports field to where people are.
- Talk - Talk about God’s love. Have spiritual conversations with people.
Billy Graham is overwhelmed by the thought of God’s love for him. There is an intensity in Billy Graham because he reflects on God, walks to where people are, and talks to them about God’s love.
This is how we do church at Cypress: We have a Savior in Jesus who was always focused on people, in particular those far from God. We think that everyone who finds faith in Jesus should give themself over to sharing God’s love with others. We want to live every day of our lives in the magnificant obsession of pointing people to Christ.
Research shows 3 out of 4 people were willing to give church a try if asked. 41% said they would definitely go if a friend invited them. Atheists said they were compelled by churches that were doing things to help others.
Join us in this magnificent obsession to point people to Jesus.
Next Steps
- Reflect on God’s grace for you. Reflect on where you would be without God. Reflect on a Savior who went to the cross for you. Reflect on people in your life who are outside of faith in God.
- Write down the names of the people you want to experience the love of God and find faith in Jesus. Begin praying for them. Begin praying for opportunities to walk over to them and talk to them.
- Walk across the room. Walk across the office. Walk across the sports field. Walk across the driveway.
- Talk with people about their spiritual life. Talk with them about what God has done in your life. Invite them to come to a service at Cypress.
Contact Us
If you have any comments or questions about this message, or if we can be of further assistance to you in this area please contact us. We will keep your message confidential and make sure it gets to the right person.