Our God Is A Consuming Fire
Part One







Spiritual Protocols in Genuine Worship
Spiritual protocols are important in relationship to genuine worship. Of these principles, the majority of believers have either never been taught or choose to ignore. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, (1 Thess. 5:19) Paul wrote to a people predominately influenced by Hellenistic thinking, of one of the most important spiritual protocols that affect what it means to worship in Spirit. He simply said, "Don't quench the Spirit." This article is designed to clarify what Scripture means by this brief statement. In doing so we'll also need to examine an often abused and misunderstood reality of what the Bibles reveals as the fire or fires of God. Considering the breadth of this topic general overview on the fires will be presented and then because of their relevance to the topic of worship, we briefly explore two types of the Fires of God and how they manifest.

The Greek word translated as quench, in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, means to extinguish or put out a fire. It implies a stifling of the Spirit in one fashion or another. His warning indirectly involves an aspect of the nature and functions of God, in that God is repeatedly identified as a consuming fire. Evidently, and probable one of the reasons Paul wrote in the way he did, believers can choose to restrain this aspect of God's Spirit and must be admonished not to do so. (See Ezek 1:4-5, 26-27; Acts 2:2-3; Dan 7:9-10; Dan 10:6)


Manifestations of Fire
Heaven is filled with an assortment of different manifestations of fire, all serving various purposes and producing unique results. Ezekiel witnessed a whirlwind of a fiery cloud approaching from the northern Heavens. Some scholars believe that this may very well have been the same whirlwind of fire that blew into the upper room in Acts 2:2-3. Later in the vision Ezekiel witnessed the Lord sitting on a sapphire-like throne with fire flaming upwards and downwards from His mid-section. Daniel saw similar fiery displays. Moreover, Isaiah the prophet experienced a vision in which an angel took coals of fire from the altar and cleansed the prophet's lips with their touch. Fire is present in heaven and is a direct manifestation of God's presence and person. What's more, Deuteronomy 4:23-24 calls God a consuming fire in connection with protecting the holiness of worship and the avoiding anything to do with idolatry.

The picture of God being a consuming fire is linked with His jealousy. He desires us entirely for Himself. Therefore He consumes to eradicate anything that obstructs a healthy, holy relationship with Him. Repeatedly, the Scriptures reveal that God contends with his foes by fire. This consuming is a devouring that is based out of the most intense feeling possible in order to have something or someone that may be in danger of belonging to someone else. His jealousy or zeal is a set of extremely intense emotions, compared to a person who is red-faced in the expressing of exploding and passionate feeling and desire. He wants our sole worship. There can be no rivalry. How He expresses this concentration of fiery power is identifiable in 7 specific types of fires, some of which directly relate to worship and which could be quenched by ignorant or resistant worshipers. A list of those fires is provided as follows accompanied by a partial reference list to help you in your personal research. The fires that specifically relate to worship are italicized.


The Seven Fires of God and Partial Bible Reference List Pertaining to Each

1. FIRE OF GOD'S PRESENCE-This fire is manifested in signs and wonders confirming His existance- (Ex. 3:2-3; Num. 9:15-16; Deut. 4:11-5,24,36; 5:4-5,22-26;1 Kings 18:38; 19:12; 2 Kings 1;1-14; 2:11; 2 Chron.7:1-3; Neh. 9:12,19; Ps.78:14; 105:39; Isa. 4:5; 29:6; Eze. 1:4-27; 8:1-2; Rev. 4:5 ...)

2. FIRE OF GOD IN LIGHT AND DIRECTION (PILLAR OF FIRE)-(Revelation) (Ex. 13:21-22; 14:24; Num. 9:15-16; Deut. 1:33; Neh. 9:12,19; Ps. 78:14....)

3. THE FIRE OF GOD IN WARFARE, FIGHTING FOR HIS PEOPLE AND DESTROYING NAMED ENEMIES- Psalms 97

4. FIRE OF GOD IN ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICES- OR THE FIRE OF HIS PLEASURE- 1 Kings 18; Lev. 9

5. THE FIRE OF GOD IN JUDGMENT AND PUNISHMENT- The majority of the Biblical references on God's fire is this type of fire. This manifests through the following expressions.
a. End Times Judgment; Anger, wrath and fury; Rebuke; Jealousy and Zeal; The Word of the Lord

6. THE FIRE OF GOD IN PURIFICATION AND REFINEMENT- HOLINESS- REFINERS FIRE-
a. Burns away chaff and dross- Luke 3:16-17
b. Burns up dead works-1 Cor. 3:13-15
c. Describes the refinement of the End Time Levites- Malachi 3-4

7. THE FIRE OF GOD IN MINISTRY ANOINTINGS- Rev. 8:1-5; 11:1-13; Jer. 5:14; 20:9; 23:29

These fires, each unique in purpose, may combine with each other according to the situational needs of what God desires to accomplish. In order to avoid quenching these, lets consider two of the fires most pertinent to praise and worship for the end that this knowledge will enable us to better worship in Spirit and most importantly recognize God's ways in our lives.


The Fire of His Confirming Presence and as a Sign and Wonder
As identified in Deuteronomy 4:23-24 and Hebrews 12:29, our God, a consuming fire, possess distinct and probably innumerable aspects of characteristics. His fiery expressions, however, emanate from the totality of His character and attributes most importantly demonstrating what believers have come to understand as His presence. Generally speaking, the character of God is made up of a wide variety of attributes. Scriptures reveal God to be a jealous God, merciful and gracious. God is mighty, great, a God of judgment, a defense, our salvation, the glory and a rock of strength. He is identified as holy, righteous, able, faithful, a God of Peace, true, He is love and so much more there is not room to list the fullness of His qualities. Yet all of these characteristics combined, and more left unnamed affect the manifestations of His fires!

Seven distinct fires are identifiable in Scripture based on their purpose for manifestation. However, the most important of these seven is the Fire of His presence. All other true fires must proceed from this fire which is essentially the sum of His being. This fire literally radiates from His very being and throne. Ezekiel witnessed it firsthand in the vision he describes in Ezekiel 1. (Ezekiel 1:4,26-27)


The Fires of God's Presence
The fires of God's Presence possesses a chemistry made up of several ingredients, based upon the characteristics that the Bible states that God owns which also burn. Those ingredients are as follows.

1. LOVE
2. LIGHT
3. ANGER, FURY, WRATH
4. HOLINESS AND PURITY
5. MERCY
6. TRUTH
7. PURPOSE AND WILL
8. INTENSE EMOTIONS- ZEAL AND JEALOUSY
9. STRENGTH
10. POWER AND ABILITY
11. PEACE
12. RIGHTEOUSNESS
13. FAITHFULNESS
14. HIS WORD
15. HIS NAME

Counterfeit Fire
Regrettably, intent worshippers may fall into the trap of attempting to force a manifestation of the Fire of God's Presence by pushing over–the-top emotions. It is of necessity that the Fire of God is distinguished from the physical feelings resulting from an overly high adrenaline due to intense and stressed emotions and physical activities. Frenzy never produces Holy Fire. But fire can be counterfeited. Some of the same physical feelings and emotions found manifesting in times of the genuine Fires of God may also manifest when the fleshly, fallen nature of humankind, and its soulish expressions over zealously burn with self imposed passion. A driven-es accompanying these lower nature behaviors creates a door whereby the true Fires of God are counterfeited. The following list briefly summarizes the emotions and carnal impulses related to fire and burning that counterfeit the genuine Godly manifestation.

1. LUST
2. HUMAN REASONING
3. RAGE, VENGEANCE, RETALIATION
4. WORKS, LEGALISTIC FORMS
5. EMPATHY
6. PHILOSOPHY
7. AMBITION
8. ADRENALINE AND HYPE
9. ENERGY
10. GREED
11. LAW
12. SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
13. LOYALTY
14. IDENTITY OUTSIDE OF CHRIST

A Sign in the Last Days
Joel prophesied that before the Lord's return, God would show wonders in the heavens, the earth. (Joel 2:30 ) One of those signs would be fire. Then, following the account of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2 verses 17-21, Peter's powerful evangelistic sermon linked the manifestation of the Spirit with Joel's prophecy, once again stating that fire would be seen in the Last Days. Evidently, before Christ's return, all eyes will see and recognize the manifestations of God's fire!

The Old Testament accounts of the Fires of God's Presence indicate that this fire will be visible and influence the people seeing it to worship God! Moses saw the burning bush on Mount Horeb and reverently worshipped God. (Exod. 3:1-10; Acts 7:30) Likewise, the multitude of the exodused Hebrew children saw the awesomeness of God's fiery presence on numerous occasions. (Num. 9:15; Deut. 4:11-12 ;5:1-5; 5:22-26; Neh. 9:12,19)


The Fire of His Presence
The entirety of the Hebrew children saw the Fire of God's presence on the mountain! Regrettably they reacted fearfully, backed away. They simply couldn't relate to what they'd seen. Rather than develop relationship with God, as Moses had done, they relegated that privilege to Moses.

Even though the frequency of the recorded visible manifestations of the Fires of God's presence lessen in the closing books of the Old Testament, and is rarely spoken of in the New Testament, it doesn't mean it still won't appear. But what should we expect?

Ezekiel (Ezek. 1; 8), Daniel (Dan. 10) and Zechariah all saw it. Though depressed and discouraged Elijah met with God on Mount Horeb and experienced heart-rending terrors as a great wind, an earthquake, and then fire passed by him. Even though God wasn't in any of these events, it wasn't till after the fire, God spoke. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

The Fire of His Presence has something to do with words. When the Holy Spirit blew in upon the waiting 120 in the upper room, they were baptized in the Spirit and they began to speak. Furthermore, Moses curiously investigated the unusual nature of a burning bush yet wasn't consumed, and God spoke. Had he not turned aside to recognize the extraordinary in an ordinary day, he might have missed what God wanted to do in his life. How many times have we done the same.

We practice our worshipful service and sing, and then get so caught up in the ordinary that we miss the supernatural entrance afforded us and don't recognize the presence of His Fire. The Fire of God's presence tends to interupt the normal with the supernatural. It may or may not always be visual. But when it is present people are unexplainably drawn to God, and often experience an unexplainable holy sense of trembling. Inevitably, if this fire is present, God speaks to the hearts or angelic activity occurs. We don't want to quench this if at all possible. Considering it's affect to inspire words, and grant revelation, the Fire of His Presence may cause a temporary muteness, as in Daniel's account in Daniel 10.

On some occasions, this Fire overwhelms the worshipers. The physical affects can be quite severe. Daniel related that his comeliness turned to corruption. In other words, anything that he'd previously thought was right about himself became worthless in comparison to the holiness of God's presence. He went on to say that his strength left him. Those who were with him, but didn't see the vision, ran and hid, and shook with an uncontrollable trembling. It is an awesome thing to fall into the Hands of a living God!

Once when I was the guest speaker for a small enthusiastic church, I witnessed a deliberate effort to quench the Spirit of God in a corporate setting of worship. I had led the musical praise and worship for the congregation, with good response from the people to the Lord. Toward the end of the musical worship, God's holy presence and fire began to manifest in the congregation. Members of the congregation began to kneel. Most importantly people began to dramatically repent. It was a deep work of God. To my shock, as I concluded my last song, before preaching to the crowd, the pastor stood and did the unthinkable. While many of the people were in the depths of spiritual encounter, and silence would have been appropriate, he shouted loudly, "Now lets just give God a big hand clap". The shocked faces of the penitent and worshipers said it all. He purposely quenched the Spirit, because unbeknownst to the people in the church, there was immorality in his life, and he didn't want God to deal with his heart to repent. So he shut it down. As I sat at the piano stunned God spoke to me and said "You must never come back here again." Months later, the man's sin was found out and the church died. How sad and unnecessary. We must not quench the Spirit!

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.... on to Part 2 below

Our God Is A Consuming Fire
Part Two



Part 2

Fire of God in Acceptable Sacrifices or the Fire of His Pleasure
The concept of the acceptable sacrifice is rarely considered in the present Christian expression of praise and worship. Paul charged the Roman believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. An acceptable sacrifice is well pleasing to God. It doesn't conform to worldly standards, and it is constantly metamorphicizing into the spiritual character and reflection of Him! (Rom. 12:1-3) Believers who resist renewing their mind by God's word offer unacceptable sacrifices, and the fire of His acceptable sacrifice won't fall! A holy acceptable sacrifice is set apart, pure and consecrated entirely to God. God's fire doesn't descend on believers who disrespect this spiritual principle of praise and worship! The 120 awaiting, praying saints, experienced the Fire of His pleasure and acceptance after they had set themselves apart for the first New Testament, believer targeted, Holy Spirit visitation and outpouring. (Acts 2:1-3) Their living, holy preparation invited the fire of the acceptable sacrifice being a timely fulfillment to a pleasurable offering before God. Heaven is full of fire. It shouldn't be a surprise that there was a connection between the whirlwind of fire Ezekiel witnessed in Ezekiel 1:4 and the fiery current of air that blew in over the waiting believers in the upper room.

What New Testament modern believers don't realize is that early Old Testament worshipers, in the tabernacles of Moses, David and even in some cases, in connection to Solomon's temple dedication prayer (1 Chron. 6-8) expected the fire to fall. Heavenly fire fell on acceptable sacrifices, and if it didn't fall, for some reason, heaven didn't approve of the offering. It was a serious thing. However, as faith waned, idolatry increased. Dead works replaced sincere worshipful respect, and fire was replaced by religious tradition, leaving the human spirit destitute of God's presence. What we need to ask is: Why doesn't the fire tangibly and visibly fall today? Have we failed to offer sacrifices that are pleasing to God?

Leviticus 9:23-24 illustrates that when Moses and Aaron offered an offering to God corresponding fire came out from God's glorious presence and consumed the burnt offering. The people shouted and worshipped. Later, however in Leviticus 10, an unacceptable sacrifice was offered by Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu. They perished in fiery judgment for their lack of respecting God's protocols for acceptable sacrifice. It is imperative that we realize the severity of this matter.

Persons who don't understand and respect what is necessary in presenting an acceptable sacrifice of praise and worship are generally also guilty of quenching this fire of the Spirit, if not restricting it entirely. The acceptable sacrifice is like a magnet, attracting God's approval and fire. 1 Peter 2:5 states explicitly that one of the purposes of the believer is to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God, by or through Jesus. The combined genuine efforts of the corporate gathering of saints builds a living, spiritual house, a holy priesthood, capable of housing the corporate manifestation of God's Spirit which would include His fire.

The acceptable sacrifice includes proper, thankful speech and praise, mentioned in Hebrews 13:15-16, as the fruit of our lips giving thanks. In addition to this, thankful words combined with good and kind deeds provide the genetics for a sacrifice that pleases God. Furthermore Philippians 4:16-19 states that the generous gifts bestowed upon Paul from the believers of Thessalonica were equal to an acceptable, pleasing sacrifice to God comparable to the sweet smelling incense offered in the Temple.

The Scriptures are brimming with examples that provide protocols illustrating what behaviors; words, attitudes and externals attract and in the opposite sense quench the Fires of God's Acceptable Sacrifice or Pleasure. These standards will sometimes vary depending on the degree of calling, purpose, responsibility, authority and even gifting. On the other hand there are some very basic and mandatory standards that apply to all worshipers that cannot be ignored!

Unholy Sacrifice
The degree of calling and responsibility radically affect how one acceptably offers the sacrifices of worship. As mentioned earlier, Nadab and Abihu offered an unholy sacrifice and perished in the fires of God's judgments. Scholars differ as to why they died so horribly. Some scholars insinuate that the two brothers were intoxicated when they went into the holy place. This suggestion seems to correspond with God's further command and instruction to Aaron through Moses. No priest entering the Holy place could drink wine. God stated that alcoholic beverages numb the senses and result in a disregard for boundaries of protocol and the necessity for the Word. Other scholars imply that Nadab and Abihu tainted the holy recipe of spices. In either case, these two men were sons of the High priest and bore a more severe responsibility and consequential judgment. They disregarded what God considered necessary to offer an acceptable spiritual sacrifice. Therefore, calling and responsibility play a major role in what and how worship is to be done. Regrettably persons who possess unusual callings for responsibility are often criticized for being legalistic. Observers may not understand the rigors and personal disciplines such callings involve, but in the long run of things, the fruit of God's presence will bring vindication.

Interestingly, the standards for personal life one might normally consider trivial and insignificant weigh heavily in what God expects in how we worship. Improper externals and disrespectful attire, behavior, words and actions can all quench the Fires of God's acceptable sacrifice of worship. Everything from immodest clothing to inappropriate actions, inconsiderate of God's presence affects the holiness required in an acceptable sacrifice. The problem is that believers swing from one extreme to another, moving back and forth from legalism to lawlessness, all generally motivated by a combination of ignorance of the Scriptures, good intentions, religiosity and extremist spiritual mindsets. For example modest clothing and modesty may mean one thing to one culture and something totally different to another. Everything must be done in regard to loving wisdom and consideration for the Body of Christ present.

Seven Primary Characteristics needed to attract God's Fire of Acceptable Sacrifice
There are basically seven primary characteristics necessary to attracting and not quenching God's Fire of Acceptable sacrifice or pleasure. These seven are listed below with a basic description of each following each characteristic.

1. Don't be in a hurry. Sacrifices done in a hurry don't attract heavenly fire.
Sinful Israel was impoverished and oppressed by Midian and other enemies. At that time God called an unsuspecting man, Gideon to the position of judge. Gideon secretly threshed his wheat harvest unaware that an angel of the Lord was about to call him to the Lord's service. (Judg. 6:15-24) Various interpretations of this passage suggest that this angel was actually a pre-incarnate manifestation of the Lord Himself. Though difficult to prove, its highly plausible when considering what transpired at the time of the offering of Gideon's sacrifice and the fire that consumed it.

In another instance, the mother and father of Samson also encountered an angel of the Lord resulting in a similar sacrifice and manifestation of fire. The comparison of these two events and their similarities are important for us to understand what is necessary to attract holy fire!

Throughout the Bible, angels are almost always linked with manifestations of fire. Therefore, it shouldn't surprise us that when Gideon offered an acceptable sacrifice, the angel was involved in the releasing of the fire. Gideon seemed overwhelmed by the angelic appearance and challenge. He responded by asking if he could offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Ingredients for an acceptable offering weren't immediately present. Consequently Gideon requested that the angel wouldn't leave so Gideon could prepare the offering and return to where the angel waited. Then the sacrifice would be offered.

Similarly the father and mother of Samson encountered an angel of the Lord. In this case they also sought out the appropriate elements, prepared them and then offered them before the angel to the Lord.

Notably, in both instances, the Lord's angel waited for them to prepare the sacrifice. Acceptable sacrifices need not be done hurriedly. In fact rushing an offering disregards the holiness of it. Hurried, haphazard sacrifices don't invite fiery reception. Furthermore, each sacrificial component represented the sense of a sinless offering. The kid was without spot or blemish. The Unleavened bread represents purity. When offering our lives as a living sacrifice to God, time is required for adequate preparation. A pure sacrifice doesn't conform to the standards of this world. It develops gradually much like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Practical holiness takes time to mature and be recognized. Accordingly God will wait for us to organize and prepare our sacrifice, if we'll take the time to do so.

In the account of Gideon's sacrifice, the angel touched the sacrifice elements with the end of his staff and fire consumed the offerings. Staffs signified authority and rank. Consequently the angel of the Lord touched the sacrifice with the staff and fire came forth demonstrating his authority. The Lord's staff is said to comfort His people as He leads them as shepherd. In the case of Gideon's sacrifice, however, the touch of the angelic staff and resulting fire indicates that the sacrifice was acceptable. The spiritual implications are significant if we consider how that as believers we are to be renewed continually into an acceptable sacrifice. We must ask ourselves, has the Lord's staff touched us? Have His fires of acceptable pleasure consumed us? It's a serious consideration.

The sacrificial offering of Samson's parents was unique in that it was accompanied by faith filled vows. (Judg. 13:1-23) They believed the word of the Lord through the angel even when they didn't immediately, fully recognize the significance of the angel they interacted with. The verses don't elaborate on what the angel did in receiving the sacrifice except to say that when the flames went up toward the heaven, the angel ascended within the blaze heavenward. Its quite possible that Manoah lit the fire, but nonetheless it was attended with the miraculous angelic ascension.

2. Acceptable Sacrifices require the altar of a pure heart or the unhewn altar.

In both cases of Gideon and Manoah, Samson's father, the sacrifices were arranged on an unhewn rock. The altar wasn't a complicated man-made artistic work. It was entirely natural, untouched by hammer or iron tool. Biblical standards for altars seem to contradict themselves until one understands that there were actually several categories or types of altars used for certain purposes and by certain classifications of persons of authority.

Scriptures identify these different categories of altars quite simply, based on function, location and who was legally allowed to use them.

In the case of Gideon, Manoah and the ordinary lay worshippers of Biblical times the simple, unhewn altars were what were to be used for sacrifice. These altars weren't to be touched by iron tools, and were generally constructed of earth or raw stone. In most cases these altars had no specific shape and weren't allowed to be formed into a specific pattern lest tools would have to shape it and it became an illegal offering. Location was also strategic, in that if there was a visitation of God, known as a theophany, an altar could be built. Any layperson could legally sacrifice on this type of altar without the assistance of a priest.

At the time of the establishment of the Mosaic priesthood, another type of altar appeared on the scene. God instructed Moses and Aaron to fashion a tooled altar with horns, constructed of wood and metals. The established priesthood exclusively used this type of altar. Those who offered on it, did so by divine appointment. There were two categories for these fashioned altars. Two types of horned altars were individually constructed. One was used for sacrifice. The other was specifically an altar of incense.

A question must be asked. What type of altar best relates to the Christian since altars have lost much of their significance in modern times? Is there a spiritually symbolic application of this concept that we should apply? I lean toward the thought that both altar categories are appropriate bearing in mind their individual representative application and the New Testament appointed spiritual position of the believer is different from the Old Testament state of the layperson. In the New Covenant, all believers have been made priests unto the Lord. (1 Pet. 2:5-9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10) Therefore, all believers have right of access to God and may approach any of those altars to offer sacrifices of praise, works, worship and service. The unhewn altar would represent the non-ritualistic forms of expression, emphasizing the prepared, pure heartfelt expression, untainted by worldly standards. However, not all believers have the same degree of spiritual responsibility or calling. Consequently, there are times when the symbolism of the un-fashioned, earthy or raw stone altar is applicable. (Judg. 6:20; 13:19) Believers not functioning in a called, official role of religious service won't always bear the same load of responsibility for leading God's people into worship. Likewise, it must be said that the Old Testament priesthood differs radically from the New Testament priesthood, because in the Old Testament, the priests mediated for the people before God. The New Testament believer/priest doesn't require a mediator. All Christians have direct contact with God. However, not all Christians have the same gifting and calling. As needs arise, leaders may have to demonstrate a religious sense of responsibility to help the layperson to go deeper in God through example, teaching, intercession and worship. In instances such as this, this is when the more formal, ritualistic forms of sacrificial worship are more appropriate. In truth the forms of the altars aren't absolutely necessary for the modern Christian, even if the principles behind them still are. We don't need to build heaps of earth, piles of stone or fashion golden boxes to worship. The altar of the human heart and all that is indicated and needed in each worshipful situation is what God requires. He desires our spiritual respect and preparation of heart and offerings instead of haphazard reckless attempts at shallow worship. Nothing can replace that type of altar or sacrifice.

3. An acceptable sacrifice costs you something.

Are you willing to pay the price? It doesn't come for free.

It was a time of national crisis and leadership failure. God's judgment was about to fall on a blameless city. Their king's sinful lack of wisdom had affected the entirety of the people. (1 Chron. 21:16-30) Grief-stricken and terrified, King David saw the angel of the Lord standing with an outstretched sword over Jerusalem and realized certain doom was inevitable unless intercession was successful. Overwhelmed by his irresponsibility, David took blame for his sin, while interceding for mercy in behalf of the otherwise, soon to suffer, innocent souls. Having heard and acknowledged David's cries, the angel commanded the prophet Gad, to instruct David to set up an altar in the place of the threshing floor of Ornan. While threshing wheat at his floor, Ornan had also seen the angel and observed David approaching. The dialogue that resulted between a king who could have taken the land without consideration to the owner, and Ornan, a landowner who could have been difficult, unveils an important principle necessary for offering an acceptable sacrifice that invites holy, heavenly fire.

As David approached a bowing, respectful Ornan, the king knew a righteous exchange must occur if the sacrifice was to be acceptable to God. David announced to Ornan that he needed to have the land of the threshing floor so he could build an altar upon it to avert the judgment of the Lord against the city. David made it clear that he wanted to pay full price for it. In the moments that followed a crucial conflict occurred that modern believers unconsciously fall prey to and ignorantly often yield to. Ornan offered David the threshing floor, the oxen that worked it and all the wooden implements for free, as a gift. It may sound like a good, respectful deal, but David understood that a true sacrifice of worship must be costly and fully paid. Believers prone to stinginess, greed and wanting everything for free will never realize the Fire of God's Acceptable sacrifice until they learn to pay whatever full price is required for the offering. Whether it's time, money, reputation, material possessions or personal dignity, everyone's price will be different. An acceptable sacrifice that attracts heavenly fire has to cost you what its worth to you and those you interact with. David paid 600 shekels of gold to Ornan as the price for the land and offering elements. Six is a Biblical number related to God's judgments on mankind and the world. David paid 600 shekels. By doing so he stated that the price for the judgment was paid and reversed by the sacrifice offered. The fire didn't fall on the sacrifice, and the angel didn't withdraw his sword until the price was paid, the offering made and the sin repented of.

4.The acceptable sacrifice is a result of an individual and a corporate recognition and acknowledgment of repentance.
On occasion, in times of corporate repentance, water would be drawn and poured out before the Lord as a statement and acknowledgment of sin and repentance. In the two instances this practice occurred, prophetic oversight was involved, as in Samuel (1 Sam. 7:1-6) and Elijah (1 Kings 18:25-39). In both occasions, sin needed to be repented of in a corporate sense. Elijah, when challenging the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, rebuilt the dismantled former altar of prayer, arranged wood, dug a trench around the altar and prepared his sacrificial bull for heavenly fire. The challenge was that the God who supernaturally sent fire upon the sacrifice would be the God of the people.

Everything that Elijah did to prepare the sacrifice had prophetic and spiritual significance. This is especially true when he ordered a pouring of water on the sacrifice. Various scholars reason that Elijah merely poured the water on the sacrifice to obliterate any suspicion that people might have had when fire eventually fell in an unusual manner. However, in connection with what Elijah did, when considering the 1 Samuel passage and the people drawing out water to pour out before the Lord, one realizes that Elijah's actions were a prophetic intercessory act related to acknowledgment of the sins of the people and repentance. Furthermore, Elijah used 12 barrels of water in behalf of the 12 tribes and their corporate sins. Twelve is generally a number representing government and authority, and coincides with the 12 tribes or sons of Jacob.

The pouring out of water, in Scriptural context, is also connected with pouring out one's heart in prayerful intercession. God will acknowledge the repentant heart and cooperating actions, and release His fires as a sign of acceptance and pleasure. (Lam. 2:18-19)

5. The acceptable sacrifice isn't a frenzied sacrifice. Frenzied offerings don't bring holy fire.
Idolatrous worship was often immoral, masochistic, debasing and frenzied. The prophets of Baal (1 King. 18:25-29) danced wildly about the sacrificial bull, cutting themselves with knives, until an adrenaline high overtook their sensibilities and produced false prophetic utterances and eventual defeat. As repulsive as this account may be, God's people aren't immune to similar problems and pointlessness.

Sincere, overzealous and emotionally driven saints may likewise become frenzied in their praise and worship mistaking intensity for spirituality. Heavenly fire won't fall on this unacceptable, though well meaning sacrifice. The anointing of the Spirit moves through rest, faith and peace. This form of carnally inspired worship disregards wisdom, self-control and sober thinking.

Exodus 32:17-20 described what occurred when Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days. The people had not heard from him during that time. Furthermore his absentia began to affect the people and they became disturbed. Gradually their anxiousness produced a insecurity driven perverted, idolatrous sinful expression, led by Aaron's warped misdirected actions. The resulting activities produced a distant sound difficult to discern. Joshua, Moses' personal servant, caught wind of the loud warlike noises and superficially deduced it was an enemy invasion attacking the camp. Moses was still conversing with the Lord, when to his shock God informed him that the Hebrew children had descended into a perverted worship, disdained by the Lord and nearing a resulting destruction. Moses intercession affected a change. However, returning down the mountainside, Moses found young Joshua unaware of the corrupt expressions of idolatry. Joshua, a developing but inexperienced leader had incorrectly discerned the real reason for the sounds. Excitement, enthusiasm and volume don't guarantee that just because something sounds like worship it is always godly worship. Moses discerned the difference because he had the word of the Lord. Joshua didn't. Godly, deep worship isn't frantic or suggestive. However, the expressions of worship must be discerned against the Word of the Lord and the witness of the Spirit as testified in fruit, motivation and truth.

6. Heavenly fire falls on sincere, committed vows and prayers for dedication.
Heavenly fire fell on the burnt offerings and sacrifices after Solomon completed his "sung" prayer of dedication of the temple. (2Chr. 7:1-4) Likewise, persons who dedicate themselves as a living sacrifice and vow to serve God genuinely will experience the Fire of His acceptable sacrifice. The offering of the dedicated life is one of the highest expressions of worship identified in Scripture. No wonder that God's fire consumes each life and releases increased measures of His glory in the temples of the human life.

7.The acceptable sacrifice is often preceded by sung prayers known as "tephillah".
"Tephillah" a Hebrew word translated over 70 times as "prayer" is unique in that its a prayer that is sung, similar to a hymn. Solomon's prayer was a "tephillah" sung prayer and attracted the fire of God's acceptable sacrifice. It is specifically used in reference to prayer when Solomon prayed (tephillah) a prayer of dedication for the temple. Following this sung prayer fire fell and consumed the sacrifices. (2Chr. 7:1)

Conclusion
Spiritual protocols must be maintained if we are to worship in Spirit and in Truth. We can avoid quenching the fires of the Holy Spirit if we pay attention to the principles revealed in Scripture and consider what and why we do what we do. Having identified the seven fires of God and focused on two of the fires most applicable in worship let us go on to deeper respect and worship as we press in to worship Him acceptably.


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