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(Clip) Do You Have the Fire of the Spirit?
Shane Idleman
0:00
0:00 3:19
Shane Idleman

(Clip) Do You Have the Fire of the Spirit?

Shane Idleman · 3:19

Shane Idleman emphasizes the vital importance of fervent prayer, fasting, and genuine repentance as the means to ignite the fire of the Spirit and experience transformative revival in the believer's life.
This sermon emphasizes the power and importance of prayer, highlighting the need to change our mindset when prayer feels boring or challenging. It discusses the significance of fervent prayer, the impact of fasting to fuel spiritual desire, and the transformation that can occur through genuine repentance and surrender at the altar.

Full Transcript

Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you. So remember that when prayer is boring, you need to change your thinking. I'm offering an incense to the Lord. My prayers are going up to God. God is, it's the one thing, it's the one promise that Jesus even gives us. Go into your prayer closet, shut the door, and the Father will hear you. The power of prayer, that's why it's so hard, that's why it's so difficult, that's why it's so challenging, it can be boring. Do you know the least attended event at any church is a, just let that sink in, let that sink in. The most important, important thing that we can do is the least attendance, a least attended. And it's really a reflection of our heart, is it not? The fire of God. And maybe we don't think God really answers. I mean, I know not everyone can make things. I know, I understand that. But it really is an indication of where we're at spiritually. There's no fervor, there's no desire. And often it's because there's no desire for that because that desire hasn't been fueled all week. If you've been praying and fasting all week full of the fire of God, you can't wait till the next prayer meeting. If I've been on Netflix and Voodoo and Amazon Prime and eating too much and drinking too much, and oh my goodness, I have no desire for that. My taste buds are dull to the things of the Spirit. And that's why we threw out there that challenge. There's a phone number you can text us at. It should be in front of you on a sheet. Where if you text us the word fasting, we will add you to the fasting text messages that go out. There's about 183 people right now from this church who are fasting. Well, some are out of town probably. But who are fasting and praying for Ren and the Heavens and for our nation. And the biggest encouragement is to get back up and start again. And the things I hear more than anything, Dave's a good example. How many, three weeks? Yeah, three weeks, mainly just water. And he's crying, he's holding, he's like, now I know why you talk about it. Because you're starving the appetites of the flesh. And whenever you do that, you get filled with the Spirit of God. I have to fast before I preach. I have to pray. I prayed this morning, God, speak life into this message. And that's why we do encourage people to come to the altar. Because it's a place of death where we lay down certain things, certain struggles, addictions, strongholds that have had us in bondage for years. We lay that down, a place of death. Lord, I am dying here. And I need to come up revived and filled with Your Spirit because genuine repentance took place. It's powerful. I've seen more lives. The reason we stress it a lot is I've seen more lives changed at the altar than anywhere else. There's not even a close second. Not even a close second. Marriage is restored. There's been times it's like, hey, such-and-such is divorced. Man, we're praying, and then a month later, we see them both down here crying together. Whoa! Third recovery home. Marriage is about over. We see the prodigals we've been praying for. See them over there. People healed, set free. A place of death that gives life. It's so important.

Sermon Outline

  1. I. The Importance of Prayer
    • Prayer is like incense offered to God
    • Prayer can be challenging and boring but is essential
    • Jesus promises the Father hears us when we pray in secret
  2. II. The Condition of Our Hearts
    • Low attendance at prayer reflects spiritual apathy
    • Lack of desire for prayer indicates dullness to the Spirit
    • Fleshly indulgences dull spiritual appetite
  3. III. The Power of Fasting
    • Fasting starves fleshly appetites to fill us with the Spirit
    • Fasting fuels desire and fervor for prayer
    • Testimonies of breakthrough through fasting
  4. IV. The Altar as a Place of Death and Life
    • Laying down struggles and addictions at the altar
    • Genuine repentance brings revival and transformation
    • Lives changed, marriages restored, and prodigals returned

Key Quotes

“Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you.” — Shane Idleman
“The least attended event at any church is prayer, yet it is the most important.” — Shane Idleman
“The altar is a place of death that gives life.” — Shane Idleman

Application Points

  • Commit to regular prayer and fasting to cultivate a deeper hunger for God.
  • Use the altar as a place to surrender struggles and receive spiritual renewal.
  • Evaluate your spiritual appetite and remove distractions that dull your desire for God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is prayer often boring or difficult?
Prayer can feel boring when our hearts lack desire and are distracted by worldly things, but changing our mindset and fasting can revive our passion.
What is the significance of fasting in spiritual life?
Fasting helps starve the fleshly appetites, making space for the Spirit to fill us and increasing our fervor for prayer and God.
How does the altar function in spiritual renewal?
The altar is a place where believers lay down their struggles and experience genuine repentance, leading to life-changing revival and freedom.
What does low attendance at prayer meetings indicate?
It often reflects a lack of spiritual hunger and desire, showing where believers are in their walk with God.
How can one reignite their spiritual fire?
By committing to prayer, fasting, and repentance regularly, believers can rekindle their passion and experience the power of the Spirit.

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