Fire, Part 2

In this sermon, Pastor Bob Rotola delivers the second part of a new teaching series exploring the biblical symbolism of fire. Fire is a recurring theme in Scripture that represents three distinct concepts.

Read the summarized highlights of the sermon below, or watch the full sermon here.

Sermon Highlights

1. Fire as the Presence of God

The sermon begins with an example from the Old Testament: God leading the Israelites through the wilderness by a pillar of fire. This fire symbolizes divine presence, guidance, and comfort in times of uncertainty. Pastor Rotola emphasizes that “The fire represented God’s presence leading them.” The pastor also recalls Pentecost, when “tongues of fire” rested on the early believers. This is an example of another moment where fire confirmed God’s active and powerful presence.

2. Fire as Purification

The second application of fire is spiritual refinement through trials. The “baptism of fire” refers to difficult periods in a Christian’s life that strengthen faith and build character. Rotola remarks, “If you go through the hard time and stay connected to Christ ... at the end, you’re a battle-tested veteran.”

The pastor then shares a story about physically preparing the church building before a storm as a metaphor for enduring hardship with faithful action. “You give me a pastor that walks with a limp, and I know I got a good guy.”

3. Fire as Judgment

The final and most sobering application of fire in Scripture is judgment, including hell (referred to as Gehenna, the lake of fire). The pastor critiques modern churches for avoiding this topic:

“Jesus taught more about hell than He did about heaven. Shocking.” 

He discusses the biblical reality of hell, referencing the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards and emphasizing that hell is not just symbolic but also a literal place of eternal separation from God. Rotola paraphrases Matthew 7:22-23: “Many will say ... ‘Did we not prophesy in your name?’ And he’ll say, ‘Depart from me, I never knew you.’”

He also highlights alarming statistics (source unknown), asserting that while 62% of Americans claim to be Christian, only 4% have a biblical worldview, raising concerns about false assurance and spiritual complacency.

Call to Revival

The pastor calls the congregation to repentance and revival. He emphasizes the importance of humility, community, and accountability in Christian life, especially in an age when church attendance and spiritual discipline are declining. He cites 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people ... will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven.”

Pastor Rotola urges believers to stay rooted in fellowship and resist the cultural drift away from Scripture: “Don’t coast. Go to the coast. But don’t coast in your faith.”

Final Prayer and Commission

The sermon ends with a powerful altar call, intercessory prayer, and call for recommitment. The pastor challenges the church to live holy lives, train the next generation in faith, and share the gospel boldly and compassionately. “Change your ways or change your name,” he says. “You cannot get to heaven by your resume. You can only get to heaven by His resume.”

This sermon serves as both a warning and a wake-up call. It reminds believers of the seriousness of judgment, the necessity of spiritual renewal, and the promise of God’s presence in every fire.

Tune Into the Word With Word of Life Church

Word of Life Church is dedicated to making the world a better place by spreading the Word and love of God. Our mission is to create an authentic and welcoming worship community, empowering Christians to live a life of faith and service in the name of Jesus.

To that end, we have two convenient locations serving North and South Wichita. We also offer accessible church services to support you in your journey. If you’re unable to attend in-person church services, you can watch our live stream sermons or listen to our podcast sermons from the comfort of your home or preferred location. If English isn’t your primary language, you can take advantage of our weekly international and Spanish-language services.  

Our church offerings include a variety of worship experiences, LifeGroups, youth programs, and service initiatives for individuals of all ages, all designed to offer community and opportunities to engage with God and enhance a mindset of gratitude. Contact us today to find out how we can serve you!