A Most Vehement Flame
E.A. Johnston passionately illustrates God's unwavering and intense love as a most vehement flame that purifies, transforms, and sustains believers.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston explores the profound and passionate nature of God's love as depicted in Song of Solomon 8:6-7. Johnston contrasts the fleeting nature of human love with the unwavering, vehement flame of divine love that purifies and transforms the believer. Through heartfelt prayer and reflection, he invites listeners to embrace and cultivate a fervent, red-hot relationship with Jesus Christ.
Full Transcript
In the Song of Solomon, we get a sense of God's love toward his own, as seen in chapter 8 and in verses 6 and 7, which declare, Set me as a seal upon thine heart, As a seal upon thine arm, For love as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave, The coals thereof are coals of fire, Which hath the most vehement flame, Many waters cannot quench love, Neither can the floods drown it, If a man would give all the substance Of his house for love, He would be utterly contemned. My love for him is sporadic and inconsistent, My flame burns brightly temporarily, Then it flickers to a mere occasional glow, But God's love for me is like a vehement flame, His love for me burns with the intensity Of a flame unleashed to its fullest extent, His love is a constant white-hot flame Of purity and consistency, It is a most vehement flame, O, that it would ignite me, engulf me, Burn out all my dross and impurities, And transform me, I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me, Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field, Let us lodge in the villages, Fairest Lord Jesus, you are chief among ten thousand, You are the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys, The bright and morning star, come ignite me, With your most vehement love, My beloved is mine, and I am his, Lord Jesus, I pray that you make the embers On the altar of my heart burn brighter for you, And that you will keep me In a red-hot love relationship with thee, I pray these things in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Nature of God's Love
- Described as a seal upon the heart and arm
- Love stronger than death and jealousy
- Unquenchable by many waters or floods
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II. Human Love vs. Divine Love
- Human love is sporadic and inconsistent
- God's love is constant and white-hot
- Divine love burns with purity and intensity
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III. The Transforming Power of God's Love
- Ignites and engulfs the believer
- Burns out impurities and dross
- Leads to spiritual renewal and devotion
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IV. A Prayer for a Vehement Flame
- Desire for God's love to ignite the heart
- Commitment to a red-hot love relationship
- Invocation of Jesus' name for empowerment
Key Quotes
“His love is a constant white-hot flame Of purity and consistency, It is a most vehement flame.” — E.A. Johnston
“Many waters cannot quench love, Neither can the floods drown it.” — E.A. Johnston
“O, that it would ignite me, engulf me, Burn out all my dross and impurities, And transform me.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Seek to experience God's love as a constant and purifying flame in your daily life.
- Pray regularly for your heart to be ignited and sustained by God's vehement love.
- Commit to deepening your relationship with Jesus through consistent devotion and faith.