What is a bonfire all about? That’s easy. It gives us light in the darkness, warmth in the cold, and it draws everyone from miles around.
How is that not just like our God?
When the darkness of sin surrounds us, he brings us light. When the chill of desolation grips us, his presence warms us, and when his people gather in glorious exultation, everyone else wants to know what’s going on.
That’s our BONFIRE God, bringing light and warmth; and drawing all people to him.
Let’s look at our BONFIRE God:
B – All things BEAUTIFUL come from his hand.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, “He has made everything BEAUTIFUL in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”
Beauty comes in three stages: what is yet to be beautiful, what is currently beautiful, and what was once beautiful. God controls all of these, for nothing can be beautiful without his express permission.
O – We are God’s OWN, for his holiness has become ours.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your OWN, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
The Spirit of God burns within us, for he has redeemed us to stand at his side.
N – He makes all things NEW with his outpouring of love.
2 Corinthians 5:17 informs us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation. The old has passed away; behold, the NEW has come.”
Our old man is burned up in the BONFIRE of God’s righteousness, and we can put on our new man in him.
F – He is the FOUNDATION of all creation.
Psalm 102:25 says, “Of old you laid the FOUNDATION of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.”
When we build a ring of stones for our bonfire, we can be assured that God’s hands touched those very rocks when he formed the earth.
I – He gives LIFE to all creatures who walk with us.
Job 12:7-10 teaches us a great lesson. “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the LIFE of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”
Mankind looks for the elements of creation. However, the animals already know the secret. Their knowledge will one day burn in us, and we will not know how to contain it.
R – He initiates REJOICING from his creation.
Psalm 96:11-12 shows all creation dancing in joy before our Lord. “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth REJOICE; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”
We should cheer when the wood catches, and as it is consumed, the sparks leaping into the air should initiate REJOICING from our souls.
E – He wants EVERYTHING to join in the party.
Psalm 69:34 encourages us to get involved. “Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and EVERYTHING that moves in them.”
Our BONFIRE experience should be a time of merriment and the making of memories. Let’s hold our hands high and rejoice in the presence of the almighty God.
God’s warmth draws us, and his cleansing flames make us new once again.
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Code: FGO.I.03.14.vp
Originally Published: 10-31-14 in Worship