He Shall Baptize You . . . With Fire
Through faith and fearlessness, we can overcome the intense trials and sufferings that come from God's refining hand.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the transformative power of fire in the spiritual journey, illustrating how trials and sufferings refine our character and deepen our faith. He explains that while the initial experience of pain may seem unbearable and contrary to God's love, these challenges are essential for spiritual growth. Simpson encourages believers to embrace these fiery trials, as they lead to greater joy and victory through faith. He reassures that with faith, the flames of adversity will not harm us, referencing Isaiah 43:2 to highlight God's protective promise.
Text
Fire is strangely intense and intrinsic. It goes into the very substance of things. It somehow blends with every particle of the thing it touches. There are the severe trials that come to minds more sensitive-to minds that have more points of contact with what hurts. The higher the nature, the higher the joy and the greater the avenues of pain that come. And then there are deeper trials that come as we pass into the hands of God, as we pass from the physical and intellectual into the spiritual. When they first come, we shrink back from their unnatural and fearful breath.
We say, "Oh, this cannot be from the hand of a loving Father!
This cannot be necessary to me." And then come the pains and sufferings from God's own hand, when He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver, when He lets it burn until it seems that we must be burned to ashes. But we can only obtain the victory through faith. The moment we cease to fear the fire, that moment it ceases to harm us. He says, Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee (Isaiah 43:2).
Sermon Outline
- The Intensity of Fire
- The Higher the Nature, the Higher the Joy and Pain
- Deeper Trials from God's Hand
- Victory Through Faith
- Faith is the key to overcoming the fire
- Fearlessness is essential to avoiding harm
Key Quotes
“Fire is strangely intense and intrinsic. It goes into the very substance of things.” — A.B. Simpson
“The moment we cease to fear the fire, that moment it ceases to harm us.” — A.B. Simpson
“Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee (Isaiah 43:2)” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must learn to trust God's refining hand and trust that He is working for our good.
- Fearlessness is essential to avoiding harm and obtaining victory over the fire.
- Our faith is the key to overcoming the intense trials and sufferings that come our way.