The Dying Coal

This is a great illustration why we need the fellowship of our church if we truly (I said TRULY) want to stay on fire for Jesus.

Revelation 3:16 says, "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth."

Oh Lord how I pray that I will stay hot.

The Dying Coal

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, suddenly stopped coming to services. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for his preacher’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace, and waited.

The preacher made himself at home, but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, he took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember, and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation.

As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and lifeless.

The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached for the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in services next Sunday.” (Source Unknown)

A man may go to heaven without health, without wealth, without fame, without a great name, without learning, without earnings, without culture, without beauty, without friends, and without ten thousand other things…but he can never go to heaven without Christ! How can one know Christ without knowing His bride, the church? We desperately need one another to keep the flame burning.