When The Fire Dies (Part 1)

I recently visited a sister church and was saddened by what I sensed there.  A church that had once been hot for God seemed to have cooled a little.  The people seemed tired and worn, and the vibrancy that once characterized that church seemed lacking.  As I pondered this, the Lord brought to mind the many campfires I have started, and their similarity to churches.

1. A fire needs dry wood suitable for burning.  It is difficult to burn green, unseasoned wood.  Likewise, it is difficult for a church to be warm toward each other and God without a certain amount of Christian maturity. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul tells the church at Corinth that they were carnal, baby Christians whose lack of maturity was shown in their divisions and lack of love one toward another.   1 Corinthians 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2. A fire needs a solid base.  One of the most effective means of starting fires is to use several larger sticks as a base.  This provides insulation from cold or wet ground, and serves as a reflector to intensify the heat. Colossians 2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
3. Fires need progressively larger fuel.  It is imperative as a church that we never forget that the grand doctrines are built on simple faith, and simple facts.  It is also essential that we not forget the new Christians, who often follow Christ quickly but burn out without assistance from others.  Yet at the same time, we must keep learning. Hebrews 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Are we growing, or are we content with where we are?
4. Fires need wood in close proximity to each other.  To burn properly, firewood must be close to each other.  In practice, sticks need to be laid about one inch apart.  That way, the fire warms several sticks at the same time, and as one starts to burn, it intensifies the burning of its neighbour.  In our personal relationships, how close are we to other members of the church?  Are we trying to keep a fire hot on our own, or are we getting involved in other’s lives, helping them to burn brighter?  1 Corinthians 11:18  For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. It is imperative that members of a church are involved in each other’s lives on a regular basis.  Interaction at services is NOT enough!  We need to emulate the disciples in Acts 2:44-46, who were visiting each other, eating together, and sharing all things.  Build relationships beyond the pews.
5. A fire must have an adequate air supply. Just as a fire must have sufficient air, so the Christian and the church must have great quantities of the Spirit of God.   We can become so concerned with external forms that we quench the Spirit of God.  Standards, order, and structure are important, yet without the moving of “God’s breath”, the fire will smoke and smother itself.
6. The best campfires are built within reflecting walls.  Without stretching the analogy too much, the best heart-fires are built within the walls of the church.  Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.