FIRE IN MY BONES

SERMON TITLE: FIRE IN MY BONES

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Jeremiah 20:9
Supporting Texts: Acts 2:3-4, Luke 24:32, 1 Kings 18:38, Romans 12:11

INTRODUCTION:
The phrase “fire in my bones” comes from the prophet Jeremiah's intense feeling of God’s Word burning within him. Despite facing rejection, imprisonment, and mockery, Jeremiah could not suppress the message God gave him. He compared it to a fire shut up in his bones that he could not contain. This fire symbolizes the passionate, unstoppable zeal for God, His Word, and His mission. Just like Jeremiah, we are called to have this fire in our bones that propels us forward, even in the face of adversity. Today, we will explore what it means to have the fire of God burning within us and how we can maintain it.

1. THE NATURE OF THE FIRE IN JEREMIAH'S BONES

a) Jeremiah’s call to ministry was met with intense persecution, but the Word of God burned within him like a fire.

b) Despite his human desire to remain silent, Jeremiah could not hold back the message God gave him.

c) The fire in his bones represents an overwhelming passion for God’s truth and a burden for God's people.

d) This fire drives believers to speak and act for God, regardless of opposition.

e) Biblical Example: Jeremiah 20:9 illustrates how he tried to withhold God's Word, but it became like a burning fire in his bones, compelling him to speak.

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT IGNITES THE FIRE

a) The fire of God is ignited in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4).

b) Just as the disciples received tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost, we too can receive the fire of the Holy Spirit to empower us for service.

c) The fire of the Holy Spirit purifies, energizes, and emboldens believers to fulfill their divine assignments.

d) Without the fire of the Holy Spirit, our passion for God can grow cold and ineffective.

e) Biblical Example: In Acts 2, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with boldness, spreading the Gospel with zeal.

3. THE FIRE OF GOD INCREASES OUR ZEAL AND DETERMINATION

a) The fire of God fuels our passion for His work, keeping us fervent and focused.

b) When challenges come, the fire within us strengthens our resolve to continue in God’s mission.

c) Like Jeremiah, we may face discouragement, but the fire will keep pushing us forward.

d) The fire in our bones gives us the strength to stand firm in difficult times and to resist spiritual stagnation.

e) Biblical Example: Elijah called down fire from heaven in 1 Kings 18:38, demonstrating his zeal for God even in a time of great spiritual opposition.

4. HOW TO KEEP THE FIRE BURNING

a) Stay connected to the source of the fire—God's presence. Constant prayer, worship, and study of His Word are essential.

b) Surround yourself with other "burning" believers who will encourage and inspire your walk with God.

c) Fan into flame the gifts God has placed in you by using them actively in service (2 Timothy 1:6).

d) Eliminate anything in your life that would quench the fire, such as sin, distractions, or worldliness.

e) Biblical Example: Luke 24:32 – After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples’ hearts burned within them as He explained the Scriptures to them. They were in His presence, and their fire was reignited.

5. THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOSING THE FIRE

a) A life without the fire of God leads to spiritual lukewarmness and ineffectiveness.

b) Without fire, our Christian walk can become routine and lack the passion needed to impact others.

c) Losing the fire can lead to compromise and falling into sin.

d) The church is called to be a beacon of light, and when we lose our fire, our witness to the world is diminished.

e) Biblical Example: In Revelation 3:15-16, Jesus warns the church of Laodicea that being lukewarm is unacceptable. He desires believers to be either hot or cold.

CONCLUSION:
Just as Jeremiah experienced an uncontainable fire in his bones, we are called to live with the fire of God burning within us. This fire, ignited by the Holy Spirit, empowers us to live boldly for Christ, regardless of the circumstances. Let us not allow the challenges of life to extinguish the flame, but rather, may we seek God continually, asking Him to keep our fire burning bright. Let the fire in our bones compel us to fulfill our calling, spreading the Gospel and living out our faith with passion and fervour.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Lord, ignite the fire of Your Spirit in me today.

2. Father, give me the passion and boldness to declare Your Word, no matter the opposition.

3. Lord, keep my heart burning with zeal for You and Your kingdom.

4. Father, remove anything in my life that would quench the fire of Your Spirit.

5. Lord, help me to fan into flame the gifts You have placed within me.

6. Father, let the fire of the Holy Spirit purify my heart and mind.

7. Lord, give me strength to endure challenges without losing the fire within me.

8. Father, may I always seek Your presence, where the fire of Your Spirit is renewed.

9. Lord, keep me from becoming spiritually lukewarm and complacent.

10. Father, use me as a vessel of Your fire to ignite passion in others for Your glory.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1. I declare that the fire of God will burn brightly within you and never be extinguished.

2. The Holy Spirit will empower you to walk boldly in your calling, with unstoppable zeal.

3. May your passion for God increase daily, fueling every step of your journey.

4. I declare that no challenge or adversity will quench the fire of God within you.

5. You will carry the fire of God wherever you go, bringing transformation and revival.

6. I decree that you will rise above spiritual lukewarmness and be a burning light in this generation.

7. Your gifts and talents will be ignited by the Holy Spirit and used mightily for God's glory.

8. I declare that you will live a life of spiritual fervour, never growing weary or cold.

9. May the fire in your bones bring divine breakthroughs and supernatural encounters.

10. The fire of the Holy Spirit will purify, refine, and strengthen you for greater exploits in the kingdom of God.