KEEPERS OF THE FLAME

A STUDY ABOUT CARRYING

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

LLOYD DEMSEY II

This study was written by the late Lloyd Dempsey II, edited by his wife, Angela Dempsey

It is being published in memory of Lloyd and his love for the people of God. He wanted to encourage and enlighten someone every day. May this study lift you up and encourage you to carry the flame of God to show the lost a way out of darkness.

There is a tribe of people living like cavemen in the Amazon Jungle.  The most complex machine that they have is a long bow. They use this bow for hunting. These people have never developed a way to start their own fire. The only way to get fire is to collect it from a lightning strike.  Since fire is so hard for them to obtain, they consider it a “Gift of God.”

As Christian in the modern U.S. we take for granted the ease of making fire.  All we need is a match, a lighter or some other device. However, if we had to work at it, fire can be a hard thing to obtain. In this study we will examine the natural fire and relate it to the Holy Ghost Fire.

John said, Matt 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 

Just as the little Amazon Indian sees natural fire as a gift from God, we as Christians receive Holy Fire from the true God. But what good is it? What do we do with this Gift of Fire?

To answer this question, we must look at how to use natural fire.  Fire gives us light and allows us to see what is around us in the dark. Whether or not there is a stumbling block or a clear path ahead, a brother or an enemy. It also helps us see the work we are doing.

If you have ever awoken to a power outage and had to bumble around in the dark, you can really appreciate the light of even a small candle.  It is amazing how a little fire can make a big difference.

How does this relate to Holy Fire?

2 Pet. 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

2 Pet. 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 

2 Pet 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

Jesus commanded us to let our light shine.

Matt 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Matt 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Matt 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Jesus told us that a little fire in the form of a candle is very important. The light from a city at that time was a collection of little fires.  When a little fire is held high, everyone benefits.

Often there are times when we sit on a pew, silent.  We think our little song or testimony isn’t good enough to be shared. Jesus wants us to share it anyway. This is how God is glorified and the lost won to the kingdom.

If a man wondering in the wilderness sees the collective light from a city. He knows he can find shelter.

Natural fire keeps us warm. It is said that a person standing in the wilderness, on a cold night can survive only three hours without the comfort of a fire for warmth.

Act 9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. 

Natural fire is used to cook or prepare food. Again, through the Holy Ghost food is given to us.

 Jer. 3:15  And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. 

Natural fire purifies for us precious things. The Holy fire purifies us to make us more precious to God.

I Peter 4:12-14   12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

As we have seen, natural fire is a wonderful useful thing. Spiritual or Holy Fire is an absolute necessity, and I haven’t even scratched the surface. Next, let us look at the maintenance of fire, after all if we are “keepers of the flame,” then we have a responsibility to see that fire is there when it is needed.

In the Amazon Indian’s world there is only two ways to get fire. One way is to collect wildfire from a lightening strike. (This is why they believe it is a gift of God). The other way is to get the “Keepers of the Flame,” to share with you the fire he has collected and nurtured from a previous strike. (The same Gift)

As Christians there is only two ways to get spiritual fire (Holy Ghost Fire) The first ways is to get fire directly from God.

Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The other way is for a Holy Ghost filled person to pass it on.

Acts 8:14-17  14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

As “Keepers of the Flame” we are given the responsibility of passing on the fire, nurturing the fire, and keeping a constant watch.  Just as the little Indian in the Amazon must carry a smoldering stick everywhere he goes, so we must carry our Holy Ghost Fire everywhere.

Mark 16:15-16 (15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The little Indian can be spotted anywhere, because of the smoke from his stick, everyone who sees him knows he has God’s Gift. They know that he is the one to go to when it is time to cook, get comforting warmth, or kindle the nights campfire; which keeps away the large jungle cats that constantly stalk the tribe in the darkness.

Mark 16:17-18 (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Some people believe that although we are commissioned to preach the gospel to the whole world.  The signs of those who believe was only for those living at the time of Christ. Both Joel and Acts tells us this is for everybody.

Joel 2:28-30 This is quoted in Acts 2:17-19

Acts 2:16-19 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

So if we have fire, there is going to be smoke; for just as smoke is evidence of fire in a stick. These signs are evidence of the Holy Ghost in a person. (Mark 16:17-18) (I must point out here that in Mark 16:18 the serpents here are symbolic of the devil and are taken up to be cast out. The deadly drink is representative of false doctrine.

Truly God gives his servants protection from an accidental poisoning. However, picking up snakes and drinking strychnine are foolishly tempting God. Therefore, it is a sin in itself.)

As I write this I must ask myself, is the Holy Ghost in me as evident as the natural fire is in the life of the little Amazon Indian’s life?

Do the people in my life know they can come to me when they need fed or comforted?

Can they see that I have God’s Gift, that can shine a light on their path or drive out the wild beast that hunt them in the spiritual darkness?

Have I let my fire go down or worse yet, have I let it go out completely?

I Tim 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

What can I do to keep the fire burning?

II Tim 1:6-7 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Our flame is a tool for God to work in our lives; to provide for us, as well as those who surround us. So we must keep our flame stirred up with prayer, praise and the receiving of his word.  If we are diligent in these things, we can be assured that our flame will grow strong.

Sadly, despite all diligence the little Amazon Indian lives in a place where very few people preach the truth and probably is a pagan. Thank you Jesus, that you allowed me to be an American, where I can be a Christian and a “Keeper of your fire.”

If you are reading this today and have let your fire go down or go out completely. God wants to rekindle your flame right now. This study has not come to you by accident.  Much prayer has gone into its’ creation.

I believe that God will move upon you right now to increase your spiritual fire.  He will help you grow in wisdom, knowledge and truth.

Matt 18:12-14    12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

If you have never had fire, then the Lord Jesus Christ wants you to become a flame and light for him. Repent and get your sins under the blood of Christ.  Be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and pray for God to fill you with the Holy Ghost and you will receive fire.

Questions:

How can I receive God’s holy fire? ____________________________________________________________________________________

As a believer, how do I carry the fire to those that need light and the warmth of God’s love? ____________________________________________________________________________________

What do we do with the gift of fire?
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How does holy fire compare to natural fire when it comes to purifying?

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As believers we are given a great commission to spread the love of God to the world and share the holy fire with them.

The little Indian in our comparison can be spotted because of his smoke. What are some thing people will notice about us as believers that make us stand out?

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