Leviticus 10:1
God judged the priests severely because they corrupted the priesthood and gave the world a wrong impression of Him, and we must examine our motivations for serving God to ensure that our service is acceptable.
Chuck Smith discusses the severe judgment faced by Nadab and Abihu for offering 'strange fire' before the Lord, emphasizing that God desires service that originates from His own kindling. He explains that the priesthood was chosen to represent God accurately, and any corruption within it could mislead the people. Smith warns against motivations that are not aligned with God's will, highlighting the importance of serving with a clear mind and pure heart. He also points out that many today may be offering strange fire through gimmicks rather than genuine worship, urging believers to focus on glorifying God rather than seeking personal attention.
Text
"STRANGE FIRE"
Intro: The occasion.
I. WHY SUCH SEVERE JUDGMENT?
A. God so loved the world. He wanted world to know His love.
1. He chose a nation out of the world through which reveal Himself.
a. He gave them His law, His will for man.
b. If a man will obey and follow, he will know God's blessings upon
His life.
c. He wanted this nation as an example to the whole world.
2. Out of the nation He chose a priesthood.
a. Priest to stand before God to represent people, then he stood
before people to represent God.
b. Important that priest be right, people get wrong impression
of God.
1. Corrupted priesthood meant or corrupted people thus
corrupted witness before world.
c. We must never forget we are God's witnesses.
II. WHAT WAS THE STRANGE FIRE?
A. Fire from some other source than God's kindling.
1. Lev. 16:12, "On the occasion of the death of Aaron's sons." Fire for
incense to come from altar which God had kindled.
2. God does not want service from any fire that He has not kindled.
a. We need to examine our motivations for our work for God.
1. Our works one day will be tried by fire, what sort
they are.
2. Matt. 6:1.
b. Paul said, "for the love of Christ constrains me." That is the
true motivation for serving God.
3. There is a lot of strange fire being offered to God today.
a. Churches or para-church organizations are using all kinds of
motivational gimmicks to get people to give.
b. Intro. to spring enlargement program by supervisor.
1. How tragic, if most of our members are carnal why not
seek to make them spiritual rather than to cater to
their carnality?
B. Verse 9 hints that they may have been slightly intoxicated.
1. They were serving God under the influence of a false stimulant.
2. God wants service from a clear mind and a willing heart.
a. "That they might put the difference between the holy and unholy."
C. Verse 3 indicates they perhaps were seeking to draw attention to themselves.
1. God had just revealed His glory, people awed.
2. They were seeking to get in on the act.
a. We are gathered here to worship God and learn His word.
1. He wants nothing to distract you from Him.
a. If I should dress in such a way to distract one's
mind from God to my dress, I am wrong.
b. Should I seek in any way to draw men's attention
to me, I am wrong.
Sermon Outline
- Why Such Severe Judgment?
- What Was the Strange Fire?
- A points: - Fire from a Different Source - God's fire is the only acceptable fire - We must examine our motivations for serving God
- B points: - Intoxication - God wants service from a clear mind and willing heart
- C points: - Seeking Attention - God wants nothing to distract us from Him
Key Quotes
“God so loved the world. He wanted world to know His love.” — Chuck Smith
“We need to examine our motivations for our work for God.” — Chuck Smith
“God wants service from a clear mind and a willing heart.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must examine our motivations for serving God to ensure that our service is acceptable.
- God wants service from a clear mind and a willing heart.
- We should focus on God and not seek to draw attention to ourselves while serving Him.