“God is a consuming fire. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of fire. Jesus said, "I've come to bring fire on earth." There is no escaping fire” -Leonard Ravenhill
John 2:13-17 (NIV) 13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Matthew 21:13 (NLT) “My Temple/House will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
Zeal FOR the House
John 2:17 (NIV) His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Zeal: gk: zhlo" (zelos): excitement of mind | fervor of spirit.
“God burns with deep desire for what is his!”
Zechariah 8:2 (NIV)This is what the Lord Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her."
1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
He wants us to reflect his desires.
Matthew 22:37 (NLT)“‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
Proverbs 20:27(NIV) The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD.
Leviticus 6:12-13 (NIV) 12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. 13 The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.
Keep the fire burning
1. Obedience: Serving the Lord
Romans 12:11 (NIV) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
2. Fellowship: Spending time with Him.
Fellowship with God ministers to God.
“Our heart is fueled when we fuel his.”