This six week sermon series offers a light-hearted tour of some of the great fire stories of the Bible. It would be particularly appropriate anchored to Pentecost Sunday, or paired with support for a camping ministry. From the burning bush to the breakfast on the beach, each story reveals a bit more of the live-giving light (and heat) of God.
Week 1: “Tongues of Fire”
Scripture: Acts 2:1-21
Whether or not you begin this series on Pentecost itself, most churchgoers are familiar with the story of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as a great rushing wind and tongues of fire. This is a great opportunity to explore that fiery image. Like fire, the Holy Spirit is contradictory–wild and cozy, creative and destructive, everyday and extraordinary, domesticated and purely elemental. The fire of Pentecost urges us to broaden our view of how God acts in the world.
Week 2: “The Burning Bush”
Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15
In another famous story from the canon, God appears to Moses as a burning bush, a fire that blazes but doesn’t consume. It is as fire that God first identifies Godself as I AM. Particularly when preached on Trinity Sunday, this scripture points us to the truth that God is not a logic puzzle to be explained but an impossible mystery to be experienced, a source of life, power, and wonder.
Week 3: “Eternal Flame”
Scripture: Leviticus 6:8-13
Unlike the first two scriptures, this one is less likely to be familiar, and on the surface may seem a bit dry. This excerpt comes from Leviticus’ long explanations about the proper behavior of the Hebrew people, in and out of the temple. However, the care paid to the fire of the temple, that it never goes out, is instructive. How are we keeping the fire alive in our congregations and worship?
Week 4: “Denial by Firelight”
Scripture: Luke 22:54-62 OR John 18:15-18, 25-27
After Jesus is arrested, Peter follows Jesus to Pilate’s court, and joins a group of Pilate’s guards and servants warming themselves by the fire. Yet despite having heard first-hand Jesus’ command to never hide his lamp under a bushel, Peter denies knowing Jesus not once but three times. This is a great opportunity to explore how our hearts grow cold from loyalty to Christ, and to ask ourselves what campfire company we keep.
Week 5: “The Fiery Furnace”
Scripture: Daniel 3:14-27 or entire chapter
The third chapter of Daniel is a narrative treasure in the Bible–a story with a wicked king, three brave amigos, and a miraculous rescue. Although we often aim this story at children, it’s a great chance to talk to adults too about the weapons wielded by the powers of the world–fear, destruction, egoism, and assimilation–and how God is stronger than these. Do we have the courage of Daniel and his companions to stand up to evil in the world?
Week 6: “Campfire on the Beach”
Scripture: John 21:1-17
This is the only time we catch Jesus cooking over a campfire, and it is one of his resurrection appearances. The disciples have gone back to fishing (for fish, not people), but Jesus makes himself known to them in a miracle of abundance and a breakfast of bread and fish for his disciples. In contrast to just a few chapters ago, when Peter stood by a campfire in the dark and denied Jesus twice, now he stands by a campfire in the morning light and affirms his love for Jesus three times. This campfire story stands as a beautiful companion piece to communion–not the Last Supper, but the First Breakfast.
Ministry Resources
Finding God in the Flames Liturgy
Finding God in the Flames Graphics (three options of editable Canva templates)
Deep Well Worship 