A Fire in Our Hearts

Jeremiah 20:7-9

Introduction:

1. Jeremiah lived in a time of moral decay in a country that would be destroyed. Nebuchadnezzar came three times to Jerusalem.

a. first to conquer it

b. second to take it into captivity (Jehoiachin rebelled)

c. third to destroy it completely (Zedekiah rebelled)

2. God gave Jeremiah the task of teaching people who did not want to hear what he had to say.

3. He was mocked and threatened and put in prison and put down in a cistern

4. But Jeremiah had something inside of him that was stronger than all his adversity:

But if I say, "I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name,"

Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it.

The early church had a fire of zeal and urgency in their lives too to take the gospel of Jesus to the world and to live for Jesus.

2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

2:47 And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

4:4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5:14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number;

6:7 And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

What Caused this Fervor?

I. Faith (Acts 2:22-24, 32)

1. Acts 4:18-20 they would not be silent

2. Acts 5:18 they put them back in jail for preaching Jesus

3. Acts 5:19 an angel opened the prison gates and let them out

4. Acts 5:20 go preach in the temple

5. Acts 5:28 they were arrested: "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."

6. Acts 5:29 "We must obey God rather than men.

7. Acts 5:40-42 they were flogged but rejoiced and kept on teaching

II. Involvement (Acts 5:42)

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

1. Christianity is an active faith, not a passive one

2. James 1:22-25

III. Responsibility (Acts 8:3,4)

But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.

1. Romans 14:12

2. 2 Cor. 5:10

IV. Excitement (Acts 8:26-39)

Conclusion:

When we have Faith, Involvement, Responsibility and Excitement, we will be on fire for the Lord and for His cause.