Firefighters and Firelighters
What Would You Do if Your Neighbor’s House Was on Fire?
If your neighbor’s home was on fire, and you knew they were inside, utterly oblivious to the fact that they were about to go up in flames and that their lives were in danger of burning to death, what would you do?
I am sure that you wouldn’t just watch their house burn down.
Wouldn’t you warn them?
I am sure that you will do something.
Maybe you would ring the doorbell and call the fire rescue department.
If your neighbors still didn’t answer, and you ran out of time while waiting for the firefighters to arrive, I am sure you would knock on the door and bang on the windows to get their attention.
Indeed, this would be the right thing to do!
If they still didn’t answer, maybe because they had the music playing, I am sure that you would scream and shout at the top of your lungs to get their attention. And if they still haven’t responded, I am sure you will do whatever it takes to get in.
Under these circumstances, I am sure you would be prepared to break down the door to save their lives before it is too late.
If your neighbors were caught in a ravaging fire, I am sure you would do everything possible to get them out of danger and safety.
After all, Jesus called us to “love our neighbors.” (Mark 12:31)
Warning your neighbor to get them out of the burning house is the least you can do.
Another Dangerous Fire
There is another more dangerous fire with eternal ramifications that we must avoid at all costs. It is called the fires of hell!
The Bible tells us that there is more to life than just the here and now. We are told that life doesn’t end at the grave but goes on into eternity.
In eternity, Jesus told us on many occasions that there is a heaven and a hell and that we will spend eternity in one of the two.
Either we will spend eternity in His Kingdom, where there will be no more pain, sin, or death, or we will spend eternity in hell, where there will be continual torment and pain.
Jesus told us that hell is a “place of eternal punishment where the fire never goes out.” (Mark 9:42)
Jesus also wanted us to be ready for eternity. He said, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44)
Jesus also told us, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)
“Think lightly of hell, and you will think lightly of the cross. Think little of the sufferings of lost souls, and you will soon think little of the Savior who delivers them.” – Charles Spurgeon
The Lake of Fire
The Bible has much to say about life beyond Earth. The Book of Revelation tells us about Judgement Day and the lake of fire…
“And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then, death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)
God’s word is clear: If your name is written not in the Book of Life, you will be thrown into the lake of fire.
Are You Prepared for Eternity?
Your neighbor’s physical house may not be on fire today, but are they ready for eternity?
Is Your Name Written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
What about your friends, family, and neighbors? Are your neighbors ready to meet Jesus? If your neighbor, your brother, or your friend died today, do you know where they will spend their eternity? Will they be ready to meet God? Will you be ready?
I know we do not like to talk about these things! No one wants to hear about eternal fires and judgment. I know it can make you feel uneasy, but this is an important subject that we all need to face. Are you ready?
God Does Not Want to See You Burn
Many think that God is a brutal dictator who wants to trip people up and put them in judgment.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
God loves people. He loves your neighbor. He loves you.
God gives you and me choices.
He warns us of the consequences.
I can assure you that he does not want anyone to be lost or spend eternity in hell.
Jesus is the firefighter who wants to rescue those who are in trouble. He wants to save the lost. He wants to share eternity with his children.
God Doesn’t Want Anyone to Perish
Do you realize how much God loves you?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
God doesn’t want to bring disaster to you.
He loves people. He wants all mankind to be saved.
The problem was sin. It cut us off from a holy God. That is why God sent his one and only Son, Jesus, to pay the full price for our sins on the cross so that you and I can find complete forgiveness and be accepted into God’s Kingdom as His precious child.
God desires an intimate relationship with you.
You Have Free Choice
God has given you and me the freedom to accept or reject his gift.
God doesn’t want anyone to go to hell.
He wants all people to be saved.
He sent Jesus as the firefighter for your soul.
Jesus came to put the fire of destruction out on your life.
Sometimes, we get so caught up in living our temporary lives on Earth that we give no thought to eternity. We prepare for the holiday, we prepare for exams, we prepare for retirement, but often give little thought to eternity.
A Warning
Jesus told us, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”
The people were completely oblivious to the danger that lurked.
What was Noah’s day like?
The Bible tells us that the world was filled with sin, sexual perversion, violence, corruption, and wickedness. Evil was accepted as normal. This sounds a lot like our present day.
Jesus went on and said, “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:26-30)
According to Jesus, fire will rain down on the earth on the day of judgment.
This will catch many off guard.
Will your life be set on fire, or will you be safe in the ark of God’s Kingdom?
The end of days will catch many off guard. How about you?
On that day, Jesus told us that we must all stand before God. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior will be welcomed into God’s Kingdom. However, Jesus also stated that on the judgment day, he would say to those who reject his “free gift,” who have shall he say, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)
“Heaven is real, and hell is real, and eternity is but a breath away.” – Billy Graham
Let me make it crystal clear…
God does not want anyone to spend eternity in the fires of hell; he doesn’t want anyone to perish; he wants everyone to be saved. He offers you the “free gift” of life. You cannot earn it and you don’t deserve it, but God made a way through Jesus’s sacrifice for everyone to walk closely with God.
You can start your relationship with God today. You don’t have to face another day alone. God wants to equip you to rise and live your life purposefully and passionately. He wants to empower you, bless you, and be your God. He wants you to live for him and impact your world, too.
If you want to start or restart your walk with God, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.
Get Off the Highway That Leads to Destruction
Jesus said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Jesus spoke of two gates…
- A small gate that allows access to a narrow road
- A wide gate that takes you onto a highway
Jesus spoke of two roads…
- The narrow road that is DIFFICULT but leads to LIFE
- The highway that’s EASY but leads to HELL and DESTRUCTION
Jesus also shared that…
- MANY are on the highway that leads to destruction
- Only a FEW take the narrow road that leads to LIFE
What gate have you entered? What road are you on?
Jesus also said, “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.” (John 10:9)
Are you following the highway?
The enemy will do everything he can to lead you astray on the highway to hell. If you are on the wrong road, turn around and get on the right road. You can access the right road through Jesus. He is the gateway to life.
Jesus continued, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
Jesus is calling you onto the road less traveled, the narrow road leading to life.
Can You Smell Smoke?
I started this message by asking what you would do if you noticed your neighbor’s house was on fire and knew they were inside.
If your neighbors were caught in a ravaging fire, you would do everything possible to warn them and get them out of danger and safety. I am sure you would even be prepared to break down the door to save them if needed.
So many are lost and broken.
So many are on the highway, which leads to death and destruction.
So many live entirely oblivious that there is more to life than the here and now.
God is Looking for Firefighters
Are you prepared to be God’s ambassador, His firefighter, and to reach those who are lost and in danger of the fires of destruction?
“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“Most Christians would like to send their recruits to Bible college for five years. I want to send them to hell for five minutes. That would do more than anything else to prepare them for a lifetime of compassionate ministry.” – William Booth
Jesus told us to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16)
Many are living in burning houses, utterly unaware of the fire of destruction. God is calling you to reach the lost and save those on a path of destruction before it’s too late.
Let the words from the Book of Jude speak to you, “And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” (Jude 1:22-23)
Do You Know Anyone in Your Circle Whose Eternal House is on Fire?
If you have a friend or family member who is lost or who is heading down a highway to hell and destruction, you need to reach out to them.
I implore you to share the Good News of Jesus with them.
You may need to bang down their door to get their attention, but if you see someone whose eternity is at risk, you must do whatever it takes to rescue them.
Jesus bought you at a high price. It cost him his life! He died to pay the price for sin so that you can have eternal life.
Is Your House on Fire?
If you are in a dangerous place, take heed. There is a Savior. His name is Jesus. He came to “seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
You can call on Jesus to save you.
“Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Jesus Christ to keep you out of hell.” – Charles Spurgeon
God’s word promises us that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
If you want to start or restart your walk with God, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.
Firefighters and Firelighters
Jesus is the firefighter who can put the fire of destruction out on your life.
He is also the fire-lighter who can revive your heart.
He wants to empower you to live an abundantly fruitful life on earth and be His firefighter who will rescue those caught in the flames of destruction.
2 Peter 3:9-15…
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along.
On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.”
