Smothering The Blaze

By Guest Writer Nathan Kline:

A message on smothering the blaze of revival in our heart.

2 Timothy 1:6  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God.

Smothering The Blaze: Firepit

Recently we built a fire pit in our backyard. The boys gathered up some wood from a friend of ours in town. We had the fire going and the flames were getting hotter and hotter. It wasn’t long before we burned through the wood that was in there.

I added the wood that was gathered and pretty soon that fire began to die down. Then it began to smoke. 

You could hear the sizzle of the water evaporating. But the flames were flickering, and the light grew dimmer and dimmer.

It wasn’t long at all and the blaze, that a moment earlier was so hot you could not get close to it, was now just glowing. Smoke was billowing from the fire pit, the blaze had been smothered.

Smothering The Blaze: In Our Hearts

As disappointing as it is to see that done to a fire, it is far more devastating to see the fire quenched in the hearts and lives of God’s people. 

These are unpredictable times in which we are living. Perverted lifestyles are being condoned and accepted as the norm. The Bible is in question and the standard of Holiness is taught to be outdated.

All the while the church is careful to be tolerant, understanding, and politically correct. A sinning religion is on the rise.

Hybrid Holiness is Smothering The Blaze

Hybrid Holiness has crept into our midst. It picks and chooses what to believe and disregards what it doesn’t like. A form of Christianity that is easy to obtain and requires no sacrifice, no cost, no cross, no loss. Consequently sinning every day in word, thought, and deed is necessary because of it.

Sin is unavoidable. Sin is no longer abominable and our preachers standing behind the pulpit are afraid to preach the whole truth.

Our lay people only want to hear what makes them feel good and attend church when it is convenient. All the while the blaze of revival fire is being smothered.

All of these examples are working together to stifle the Spirit of God and quench the fire that at one time set the New Testament church of Jesus Christ ablaze.

Conviction

Alexander Maclaren the great theologian of yesteryear said: “If you take a bit of phosphorus, and put it upon a slip of wood, and ignite the phosphorus, bright as the blaze is, there drops from it a white ash that coats the wood and makes it almost impossible to kindle the wood. And so when the flaming conviction laid upon your hearts has burnt itself out, it has coated the heart and it will be very difficult to kindle the light there again.”  

How many revival services much like this have you been in? How many messages have you heard preached? And still no revival fire…why?

Do you know dear friends that every time the Holy Spirit calls your name, moves upon your heart, draws you unto Himself and you resist, you are hardening your heart, and Smothering the Blaze?  

“Fire may be put out by pouring on water; by covering it with any incombustible substance; or by neglecting to supply fuel. Anything that will tend to dampen the ardor of piety in the soul; anything to chill our feelings; to render us cold and lifeless in the service of God, may be regarded as “quenching the Spirit.” – Albert Barnes

Neglect Is Smothering The Blaze

Neglect of prayer, the Bible, the sanctuary (attendance, not conditional) of a careful watchfulness over the heart, ALL of these things will do it. Worldliness, vanity, levity(light-heartedness), ambition, pride, the love of dress, or indulgence in an improper train of thought, will do it.

As we seek God to send revival, to once again awaken His church, and to stoke the fire of conviction within our hearts, I want us to consider some things. Here are 4 elements of our lives as professing Christians that will grieve away the Holy Spirit and quench the Spirit of God, while smothering the blaze.

Four Elements That Are Smothering The Blaze

1. Unavailable

Luke 14:16-20  Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuses. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

It is natural for the Holy Spirit to move upon His people. It is His desire to pour His Spirit out upon them. So what does it mean when the Spirit of God is not moving freely? 

There are things in our lives that will quench the Spirit. We are busy people who are busy doing good things, wholesome things, needful things. There is nothing sinful in themselves, and yet if we are not careful they can dominate every facet of our lives. Work, school, hobbies, ministry, amusements, family, relationships, every minute of every day is spoken for.

But in our busyness how much time, if any, is set aside for the SOLE PURPOSE of drawing closer to Jesus Christ?  

Busyness Of The Day Is Smothering The Blaze

I want us to understand there is danger on both sides of the spectrum. While an idle mind is said to be the devil’s workshop, on the other side of the pendulum busyness crowds the Holy Spirit away. In essence, Smothering the blaze.  

You may say that time is short. There is not enough time in the day to do everything that needs to be done. There is no convenient time to pray, to wait, to study, to worship. BUT…It is a matter of duty, a matter of priority, a matter of discipline to MAKE TIME.  

We are available to go to work every day, to pick up another shift, or a second job, or to work on a hobby through the night hours. Many of us tirelessly work to further our education, earn degrees, and exhaust Saturdays shopping to hoard more stuff we do not need.

We can play in bowling leagues, baseball leagues, band practice, and sports practice. We are available to fill that vacant spot in a club, a board, or a league, and yet we are Unavailable to fulfill the call of God.

Andrew Murray has said it this way: “We prove the value we attach to things by the time we devote to them.“

The Kingdom of God asks for our time. How much time do you devote solely to the work of God, to your personal relationship with Jesus Christ? 

Through the chaos of the day, a still small voice calls for your attention. But I am afraid it is met with a mind that is preoccupied with the cares of life. 

Spiritual Leadership

“Spiritual Leadership.” The author candidly reveals that what separates great leaders from followers is a mere 35 hours a week.  We all have the same 24-hour time period to work with.

The reality is that for the mass majority, we use up approximately the same amount of time sleeping, working/school, eating, and getting ready.

This leaves an average of approximately 5 hours a day left, which is 35 hours a week. What is done in that time is what separates the average from the extraordinary, the strong from the weak, the believers from the unbelievers, the victorious from the defeated, and the leaders from the followers. 

How do you spend that 5 hours a day?

Statistics on how the average person will spend their time:

• Television/ movies:  3 hours a day- Statista

“The average person will spend more than 78,000 hours (3,250 days) in front of the television over their lifetime. Viewers watch an average of 3,639 movies and 31,507 episodes” -Onepoll

• Phones: 5.4 hrs. a day
• Gaming: 25% of Americans play 3-7 hrs per week. 25% of Americans play 8-12hrs per week, and 25% of Americans play 13+ hours a week. 28 days per year/ 5.4years over a lifetime – CenturyLink quote/ Travis Peterson 

• Bible: “10% read the Bible daily” -Christianity Today
• **Americans on average enjoyed 5 hours and 16 minutes of leisure and spent an average of 8 minutes a day in prayer. -telegraph

Mark 4:19  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.  

Luke 21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 

Too Busy For God Is Smothering The Blaze

We are far too busy to work for God, Unavailable to take on anything else, Unavailable to give anything for the One who died for you. Unavailable to set something else aside.

In essence, we have added our names to those within our text who made excuses for why they were Unavailable. But in doing so, we have also added our names to those who will receive the consequence.

Luke 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men(who made excuses, who were Unavailable) which were bidden shall taste of my supper. 

Luke 14:25  And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 

Luke 14:26  If any man comes to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 

Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

BUT, I believe the issue is more deeply rooted than merely being Unavailable, many are simply Unwilling.

2. UNWILLING

Jeremiah 6:15  Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. 

Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. 

Jeremiah 6:17  Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

Unwilling To Change Is Smothering The Blaze

Unwilling to be corrected, submit, admit our need, to humble ourselves, to be broken, to be inconvenienced, to do without. And Unwilling to die to ourselves.

We think we are innocent in our Unwillingness, but I want us to realize the seriousness of what is happening. Every time an individual, a professing Christian, is Unwilling to do what God has asked, for whatever reason, there are at least two specific sins that are committed. The first is Disobedience and the second is Omission.  

Disobedience: refusal to obey

Omission:  something neglected or left undone, neglect of duty (testimony, church attendance, call of God))

Unwilling To Help Further God’s Kingdom Is Smothering The Blaze

The sad truth is there are those who are of no use to the work of God because they make themselves Unavailable. But there is another category of churchgoers who have time but are just as ineffective because they are blatantly Unwilling.  

How many openly refuse to hold any position in the church? How many openly deny God access and are Unwilling to use their talents in a worship service, Gospel team, work team, VBS, lead a song service, play an instrument, sing a special, preach, testify, usher, or teach Sunday School?

They are UNWILLING to go where God has called them FOR WHATEVER REASON/ EXCUSE, but they try to recommend someone else to do it “in honor preferring” because they are far more qualified, they are better Christians.

But down deep the truth is they are just Unwilling to do it themselves.

The Adults Were Smothering The Blaze

I was in a meeting, speaking to young people. God had given liberty, but towards the end of the message as I asked if anyone wanted to pray, then things locked up.

Later after the service one of the adults that was in the service said: “It was us”. The adults were Unwilling to make a move, Unwilling to humble themselves, and Unwilling to lay down the idols in their lives.  

The result? They grieved the Spirit of God, they stopped up the service, hindered the progress and were smothering the blaze of revival.

Is it any wonder that the fire is nearly gone out? There is just a mere flicker every now and then. 

God cannot stoke the fire of a heart that is intentionally putting out the blaze, and God cannot use you if you are Unwilling to be used. It has been too long that the church has been stale, and idle from its people being Unavailable, Unwilling, and  Unconcerned.

3. UNCONCERNED

Revelation 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 

Revelation 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm (indifference) and neither cold nor hot, I will speu thee out of my mouth. 

Complacency is arguably the greatest threat facing the modern church: 

“Having or showing lack of interest or concern, apathetic, casual, indifferent, unconcerned, halfhearted, lukewarm, detached, lethargic.”  

What a vivid picture of the modern church behind all their fineries, beautiful buildings, spectacular programs, and refined speech is a blatant indifference to the condition of the world around them. They are detachment from the work of God, lethargic in worship, silent in praise, casual in attitude, and halfhearted devotion.

Francis Xavier

Francis Xavier said: “If those islands had scented woods and mines of gold, Christians would have courage enough to go, nor would all the perils in the world prevent them. They are dastardly and alarmed because there are only the souls of men to be gained.” JUST SOULS.

The average churchgoer gives little to no thought of doing more than attending a service when it is convenient. It is a completely foreign thought to consider abandoning themselves to the will of God or living solely by faith.  

A ridiculous notion to entertain the thought of selflessly giving themselves to help another without some form of compensation. 

Far too many are completely detached from the spiritual battle raging around them. Unconcerned that multitudes are plummeting into a devil’s hell.

They are indifferent to the ensuing drift that is sweeping across the church realm. They are casual in prayer, lethargic in worship, halfhearted in their consecration, and have no real concern for the work of God.

Self-Centeredness

Their primary interest is themselves. Far too worried about how they are perceived, their own comforts, their own security, and their own interests. They pursue success, riches, and materialism.

They are more concerned about that new car, newest gadget, remodel project, promotion, education, their degree, and their retirement. But in the pursuit of achieving success, we are failing miserably in fulfilling our one objective, reaching the lost.  

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

With the church consumed with its own self-preservation, it cannot meet the needs of a lost and dying world on its way to hell because they themselves have bought into the culture.

“Are there none now who profess that they know God, but in works deny him; whose conduct is such that it ought to be abhorred; who are disobedient to the plain commands of God, and whose character in respect to all that pertains to true piety is to be disapproved by the truly pious. “The way to heaven is blocked up by dead professors of religion.” -Albert Barnes

We have come up with elaborate excuses and reasons why we can blatantly and willfully negate the plain command of God’s Word. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.  Wednesday night prayer meetings, revival services, or prayer meeting, even Sunday is becoming optional.

But it doesn’t stop there, complacency raises its ugly head in other facets. We make excuses why we never testify, cannot get up in front, or cannot hold a position, help on the work team, or support the missions.

We simply cannot fulfill the call of God. 

Complacency is at the root of every excuse, a lack of concern. The mass majority of churchgoers are perfectly comfortable warming a pew. 

They aren’t interested in doing without, not interested in being made uncomfortable, or in putting someone else before them. They are not interested in giving away what they begrudgingly believe is theirs.

Then we wonder why we are cold, stale, hard, and unable to be revived. We talk so openly about revival,  but do we really want revival? 

Do you realize revival is not going to happen outside these walls until it happens within the church?

Ezekiel 9:6  Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. 

1 Peter 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.

It may be through ignorance that we busied ourselves and became Unavailable. BUT, as we became busier and busier the things of God became a nuisance and inconvenient we became Unwilling.

I am afraid our Unwillingness to deny ourselves, or to put God first, has bred a spirit of indifference and Unconcern, that if not recognized and repented of is going to lead some to the dismal end of this journey Unprepared.

4. UNPREPARED

Matthew 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 

Matthew 24:43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 

Matthew 24:44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

1. To Meet God

Romans 14:10 We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 

Romans 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Do we really believe the Bible? Do you ever consider the awesomeness, the splendor, the magnificence of standing before the Creator God? He who knows every motive, every desire, every decision, every thought.

2. To Give Account

Romans 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

What have you done with the time, and the opportunities God has given you? What have you pursued, and invested in and What has been the object of your affection? 

You are going to give a detailed account of your life. Not to me, not to your pastor, not to your church board, and not to your family, but to the eternal God of Heaven.

You are going to answer in stark honesty.  Have you been Available, Willing, and Concerned? Sadly, I fear that many are going to find themselves Unprepared to meet God. They are Unprepared to give their account and Unprepared to reap their judgment.

3. To Reap their Judgement

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

Matthew 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Matthew 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Matthew 25:41  Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Friends this is not a scare tactic, but it is a sobering reality facing every one of us.

Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:   

The holy scriptures make it clear that multitudes are going to face the judgment Unprepared.  Imagine standing before the Great White Throne and your life begins to vividly play out before you, every time you were Unavailable, every time you were Unwilling, every time you were Unconcerned.

And in that moment you realize you are Unprepared to meet God and give your account. Unprepared to reap your judgment and to face the Horrors of a devil’s hell.

4. To Face The Horrors Of A Devil’s Hell

Flames, eternal punishment, inhabitants, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Agony, shame, utter darkness, emptiness, despair, memories, and wasted opportunities. The altar calls, the pleas, the drawing of the Holy Spirit all plaguing your mind in eternal regret.

The what ifs. What if I had yielded, What if I had said yes to God? What if I would have let God have His way?

Mark 9:43  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 

Mark 9:44  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 

Matthew 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Matthew 13:42  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Sir Francis Newport

Sir Francis Newport “Oh that I was to lie a thousand years upon the fire that shall never be quenched, to purchase the favor of God, and be united to Him again!  But it is a fruitless wish. Millions of millions of years would bring me no nearer the end of my torment than one poor hour. Oh eternity, eternity!  Forever and forever!  Oh, the insufferable pangs of hell.” 

He said also to those gathered around his dying bed, “You need not tell me there is no God for I know there is one, and that I am in His angry presence. You need not tell me there is no hell, for I feel my soul slipping into its fires!  Wretches! Cease your idle talk about there being hope for me!  I know that I am lost forever.” 

He spent his life UNAVAILABLE, UNWILLING, UNCONCERNED. Now he slipped into eternity UNPREPARED to meet the very God He denied, ignored,  and the very God he rejected. 

He lived his life his way, He did what he wanted to do, He was known, recognized, and respected.

He achieved accolades and had friends, but it came at a tremendous cost to his never-dying soul.

Matthew 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Unnecessary and Tragic

Such an unnecessary end. What a tragic loss! Yet it could be repeated over and over again within the circles of our churches. Individuals on fire for God, zealous, excited, intentional, now just casual observers.

The reality is, for those of us within the church there is little fear of outbroken sin. There is little concern about widespread addiction. Yet there is a more dangerous threat, lukewarmness, casualness towards the things of God. There is a self-deception that wants to justify the lack of fervor, the loss of light, and a cool indifference.

What About You Friend?

How is it today?  Is the fire in your heart burning as intensely as times past?

Is your light as vibrant as it has been? Has the fire in your heart subtly been smothered out by your lack of availability, willingness, and concern?  

There are times around the fire pit when you have to stoke the fire. You have to stir the coals and get fresh air moving upon the embers. And friends there are times in our spiritual lives when we must do the same.   

2 Timothy 1:6  stir up the gift of God which is in thee.

“A New Touch of Fire”: Written by C. H. Morris

Send a new touch of fire on our souls Lord

Send it now Lord, send it now Lord

Touch our lips today with the living coals

Send a new touch of fire on our souls

Pin It For Later

Leave A Comment Below

I hope this has been helpful to you. Leave a comment below and let Nathan Kline know how this sermon on Smothering The Blaze has helped you. I hope it has encouraged you to walk closer to Jesus.

For faith-filled content from Mama’s Front Porch Swing visit the Faith Section.