Chuck Smith emphasizes the seriousness of God's intentions in reaching the world through a chosen priesthood, highlighting the dangers of 'strange fire'—actions taken without divine guidance. He explains that the priests' use of unauthorized fire symbolizes the consequences of acting on wrong motives, carelessness, or personal initiative rather than being led by the Spirit. Smith warns that seeking the right goals through improper means will not yield true results, and stresses the importance of waiting on the Spirit for direction in our service to God. He calls the church to avoid dead rituals and instead submit to the Spirit for genuine guidance.

"STRANGE FIRE" Intro: God severity. God's ultimate intention "John 3:16" to reach the world He chose a nation. To reach a nation He ordained a priesthood to go in unto God for the people to go out among the people for God. Sacrifices instituted, priest must truly represent God - strict obedience corrupted priesthood, corrupted nation. I. "WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF THE STRANGE FIRE?" A. Lev. 16:12 "fill censer with coals off the altar." 1. In their enthusiasm took fire in their censers other than from the altar. a. They were yielding to wrong motives. b. Desire to burn incense wrong motive? 1. Why the desire? B. Verse 9. 1. They may have acted under the influence of a false stimulant. a. Mind's not clear to be fully controlled by God. 2. May have been carelessness or excitement. 3. May have been convenience or adaptation. a. Acting on own initiative not controlled by God. b. Self on the throne in that holy place. 4. Sin in priesthood will produce sin in the people. a. Seeking the right goal in the wrong way will never lead you to the goaI you seek. 5. Story reveals how false that concept that the end justifies the means. a. Cannot build a house of truth on a foundation fraud. b. Cannot build a house of purity on foundation of corruption. 6. To have right motives is not enough. a. Many people desire to see God's Kingdom come but do nothing to bring it about. b. They might pray for it & would even vote for it yet they leave God out of their planning & their daily lives. 7. We must ever be aware of false stimulants in our service to God. a. If I am stimulated by passion for fame. b. Desire for authority. False Fire. C. Lev, 16:1,2 Possible that they intruded into the Holy of Holies, in excitement & zeal. 1. The work of the Spirit should never be endeavored in the energy of the flesh. 2. Service to God should never be apart from His leading. 3. One is never equipped to go who has not first waited on the Spirit for instructions. Today God is seeking still to reach world, He has chosen the church as His agency. He has ordained us all to the priesthood. I Pet. 2:4 that the church has missed God's plan is evident by the world about us. Shall we continue the same old dead programs & rituals? We must submit ourselves to the Spirit to receive instructions Strange fire is any fire other than that which is kindled by His Spirit.