Scriptures: Acts 2:41-47, 2:32, 1 Timothy 4:13, 3:14-15, Romans 15:2, 1 Peter 4:9

What does a church set on fire by the Holy Spirit look like? How does it function? How does it act? How do you know if that fire is even burning? In Acts 2 we see a powerful example of a church "on fire" for Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. They were united in spirit and purpose, and functioned as Christ designed. In this message, Dr. James Merritt examines the characteristics of the early church, and gives insight into how our church today can become more "on fire" for Christ in the same way early believers did.

"The culture of that day was the same as the culture of our day--dog eat dog, every man for himself, look out for number one, get out of my way, everybody is on his own kind of spirit. You see the polar opposite of that here in the early church. Voluntarily on their own, moved by the Spirit of God, here was a church looking out for each other, meeting each other’s needs, sharing and caring. They were more interested in giving than receiving and more excited about serving than being served. When the fire is burning brightly you share the heat of God’s love with those who are living in the cold. You share the light of God’s truth with those who are living in the dark. This was a church that understood that when you hear someone else’s stomach growling you share your food. When you see someone else shivering you share your coat." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: mission, church, Holy Spirit, ignite, fire, witness, boldness, Acts, Luke, giving, sharing, helping, needy, poor, community, Bible, study, small groups, fellowship, friendship, Bible, God's Word, Gospel, evangelism, Good News, preaching, Great Fire of 1910, Montana