Temple Holy Spirit

I was gazing at a fire in our home fireplace recently and was offered a metaphor of how we believers can partner with God to do group ministry.

Three things mentioned in Revelation 12:11 liken the building of a cosy fire and victory in group ministry: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (NIV). The successful components of both indicate inclusion of the following:

Housing – The first thing is the housing of the fireplace itself. The brick or metal firebox is designed to facilitate the entrance of oxygen (the Holy Spirit life) into the materials placed there which when combined enable a sustainable fire. The scriptures remind us that unless the Lord builds the house those who are involved in a project can only produce vanity (evil, idolatry, uselessness). 1 Cor 3:11 says, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

So we may reasonably ask prior to proposing to start a new ministry, am I (are we) building on Christ’s work or something else? Are we doing a work to His glory (meaning communicating with God continually) and through Him (recognizing that He offers to be our provider) and for Him (loving God and what He loves)? If not, then let’s either repurpose to enable the work of God into that orientation – or do not do it at all.

Grate – Once we have satisfied the first requirement (founded on Christ), we may move to the grate that is designed to hold the fireplace fuel. Truly, the only safe “holder” for ministry is one totally dependent on God. But how do we get into such a place and stay there? The answer is prayer. Simply coming to God with our every care, every desire, every thought, for every need.

Dependency forces us to bring the work – the people serving, the people served, the people observing – to Him. Ministries begun in dependency (God better show up or it’s going to be real ugly) can slowly switch into a place of self-sufficiency, unless a continued “culture of thanksgiving” celebrates the responses of the One who supplies. Testimony-based thanksgiving is second of the big three key ingredients of victory mentioned in Revelation. So, as the Kingdom is advanced continually, it is also helpful to find a practical way to highlight continually what God has done or is doing in and through the ministry.

Materials necessary (for building a fire)
The order of placement is important if you want a long satisfying fire or sustained ministry.

Paper – When building a fire in the natural world, I like to grab several pieces of wadded up paper or cardboard for my first layer in the grate. Paper in this metaphor relates to prayer. So what do we pray? Ministry related promises of God from His Word (which are yes and amen), and also declarations (which are ministry-related scripture based truths that ministry prayer partners declare). In declarations, Christ in us speaks through the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 6:19) “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”, clarified by what the Holy Spirit does (Romans 4:17), “the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.”

Through the Blood of Christ (the first key mentioned in that Revelation scripture), we are empowered by the Word and indwelt by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, who is about the Father’s business, which is putting all Jesus enemies under His feet (Psalm 110) and continually extending the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 9:7).

Kindling – I make my own kindling by finding a leftover fence picket and destroying it with a hammer, making certain to break it so that a single picket is broken into six or eight shredded pieces that have ripped along weak areas. Foundationally, a new ministry is often begun by one or two folks whom God has spoken to in some way earlier in life. But instead of immediately beginning the ministry, they often are sent out for Joseph-like training (pit/Potiphar/prison) or similar, that can seem to break them or shred their ministry hopes. Then later, sometimes years later, through something akin to a Moses burning bush, or an Abraham and Sarah baby Isaac, or a John the Baptist of Zechariah and Elizabeth, God shows back up saying “your prayers have been heard.” The kindling has been prepared and can be trusted for fire since it has laid itself down on the grate. This dying to self points to the third key in that Revelation scripture “they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Quick responsiveness to God despite my own reasoning (I war against offense) marks the nature of fully prepared kindling.

Branches – Next, I search for smaller diameter branches that ideally have fallen from a tree. Even better, select ones that are seasoned, so that the branch will receive fire well. If they are too long to fit in the fireplace, they need to be cut to length. I also know side branches (sticking out from these) must sometimes be pruned or the smaller branches will not lay well next to others.

Smaller diameter refers to a shorter time left to burn, so this speaks of the elderly who have less time left on this earth. Fallen and seasoned refers to people who have experienced rejection or have suffered in the areas the ministry seeks to address. These “branches” are often quicker to ignite as they utilize their past experience and wisdom to relate better to those being ministered to. Cutting to length means ministry leadership may find it helpful to only ask members to serve a specific length of time, lest members continue serving out of their own strength or from a sense of duty. Side branches might identify a member who currently serves in multiple areas, but must be pruned in some seasons to serve more effectively in the Kingdom.

Matches – At some point in the fire building process I will light a match, usually after the branches are laid. Years ago I began to notice that I was indignant over certain issues, but had no concern over others. I would say, “why won’t somebody do something about XYZ?,” not understanding that the passion in me was an indicator that God already had deposited something in me, juice for the journey, if you will, on that particular issue. That passion for deliverance of his people was seen in Moses’ justice-driven murder of the Egyptian, and helped sustain him through 40 years in the wilderness and 40 in ministry leadership. Often God has hidden several matches in our hearts for certain fires and ministry can begin.

Logs – Finally, after the fire has been lit for some time, I throw one or two logs on top. Sometimes they crunch the burning branches underneath a bit but with a poke or two usually begin to settle down and take the fire. Logs are larger in diameter and have more to potentially offer a long burning fire. Ministries that see and value the next generation contributions in the ministry prepare it for sustainability. It is sad to see when fine ministries cease because all the members pass away with no attempt at sharing ministry cross generationally. Crunching burning branches refers to the elderly specifically refusing to take offense at the ways the next generation approaches ministry. The new tech tools, virtual community, and how next gens approach problem solving can be very different from what we are familiar with but not necessarily wrong. Will the elderly model for the next generation what it looks like to lay down their lives for a cause, creating opportunities for the young to be welcomed?

Material Spacing Tip – Give space for grace. For the Holy Spirit to use all kinds of people in a ministry, make sure logs and branches are allowed clear identity and purpose, so that potential offense from conflict is minimized.

Desired Results

Light – A well built fire fascinates us with a continual color display. It’s hard to stop watching a fire that seems to infuse everything in a room with light. Colors revealed out of blackness. Ministry in action highlights truth as a byproduct, reveals understanding, gives stability to chaos, and releases peace over fear.

Warmth – Especially on a cold wintry day, a cozy fire overrules the coldness that slips through the cracks of our home. In like manner, we have been given the love of God to emanate continually through ministry which draws those who are cold and warms us as well.

Gathering – Some draw near to a fire because of light, some for warmth. It is healthiest to gather for both. My older son years ago received the understanding that logs in a fire burn well as long as they are placed fairly close together. But if you move them away from each other the fire will begin to die out. It is important to recognize community thrives when we remain in proximity to each other when we gather. Ministry leaders do well to encourage connection, where frequent opportunities are available for ministry members to meet in fellowship, to encourage, enjoy, and build one another up.

Smoke – Smoke is a wonderful byproduct of a fire in the fireplace and hints of a warm inviting place inside. But if an attempt is made to control the fire inside by capping the chimney (relying on the efforts of man), the smoke has no where to go and fills the house with a suffocating presence. In like manner believers are invited to understand that God works in all things to build His Kingdom and we must allow release of the Holy Spirit to direct us in ministry.

Ir ministry leadership attempts to cap the Holy Spirit, ministry workers may flee out every door as the heat and smoke can burn us and destroy as well as welcome. May we never frustrate the work of the Holy Spirit in any ministry we are involved in – either by quenching or grieving Him. Moses trust in God (that overruled his reasoning) when God told him to grab the snake to get his staff back) can be our strategy as well. If we trust the Spirit to have His way, the scripture says, He will do the drawing of all men to Him (like the cozy fire), and ministry by His Spirit will continue to bring light and warmth.

11/13/18 wae

Additional notes: while some may be excited by the possibilities uncovered in this metaphor, some may be discouraged by it. If you question in your heart “am I only a branch that burns a little while and then gone?”, then know that Holy Spirit fires have burned for hundreds of years and an individual may participate in a ministry for many decades.

For a blessing you might consider re-reading this post a sentence at a time and compare it to a ministry you are involved in. While doing that meditation, allow God to let you see the differences and the opportunities. Then consider talking to the One who wants you and His ministry to thrive. You might find He was waiting for your invitation.