New Wine, Fresh Oil, and Old Fire

Speaker: Pastor Lee Cummings
Date: November 10, 2024

Join us this week as we dive into Habakkuk's powerful prayer for revival. Pastor Lee challenges us to yearn for a renewed outpouring of God's Spirit, cultivate fresh oil, and reignite the old fire that lies dormant within us. All revival doesn't begin in a room; revival begins in a heart, one at a time.

Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:

Day 1: Reviving Our First Love

Reading: Revelation 2:1-7

Devotional: In Habakkuk's prayer, we see a longing for God to revive His works. Similarly, Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus, commending their perseverance but warning them about forsaking their first love. Today, reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you maintained the passion and zeal you once had for Christ? Ask God to rekindle that first love, to fan into flame the gift of His Spirit within you. Consider what practical steps you can take to return to your "first works" - perhaps through dedicated prayer time, serving others, or immersing yourself in Scripture with renewed enthusiasm.

Day 2: The Power of the Holy Spirit

Reading: Acts 2:1-21

Devotional: The sermon emphasized the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, likening it to "new wine." As you read about the day of Pentecost, imagine the transformative power that filled the disciples. They were changed from fearful followers to bold proclaimers of the Gospel. Reflect on areas in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's power. Are there situations where you feel inadequate or afraid? Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh today, empowering you to live and speak for Christ with courage and conviction.

Day 3: Pressed but Not Crushed

Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Devotional: The concept of "fresh oil" coming from pressed olives reminds us that often our greatest growth comes through trials. Paul's words in this passage echo this truth. As you read, consider the challenges you're facing. How might God be using these difficulties to refine you and reveal His power in your weakness? Rather than asking God to remove your trials, pray for the strength to endure them and for eyes to see how He is working through them. Remember, just as Jesus was pressed in Gethsemane, our sufferings can lead to a deeper communion with Him.

Day 4: Fanning the Flame

Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-14

Devotional: Paul's exhortation to Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God" speaks to the need for continual spiritual renewal. Reflect on the spiritual gifts and passions God has given you. Have some of these grown dormant? Today, commit to rekindling your spiritual fervor. This might mean stepping out in faith to use a neglected gift, spending time in focused prayer, or seeking accountability from a fellow believer. Remember, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Day 5: Carriers of Revival Fire

Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8

Devotional: The sermon concluded with a call to be "carriers of the fire," transporting the embers of past revivals into new frontiers. Isaiah's vision and subsequent commissioning provide a powerful picture of encountering God's holiness and responding to His call. As you read, imagine yourself in Isaiah's place. Allow God's holiness to convict you of areas needing purification in your life. Then, listen for His call. Where might God be asking you to carry His fire? It could be to your workplace, your family, or even to unreached people groups. End this devotional series by offering yourself afresh to God, saying like Isaiah, "Here am I. Send me!"