From the Fire to the Faith: Living with the Faith of Jesus
This Sunday, Bill Chapman shared a powerful message drawn from the dramatic confrontation in 1 Kings 18-19—when Elijah faced off against the prophets of Baal. But Bill didn’t just talk about fire from heaven; he talked about the fire within us.
Fire isn’t just about miracles.
It’s about refining.
Why Fire? Why Challenges?
From Proverbs to Malachi, from Isaiah to 1 Peter, the Bible shows us again and again that God uses fire to refine His people. Whether it’s the literal fire Elijah called down, or the refining fire of suffering Isaiah describes, God’s purpose is the same: transformation.
“I have refined you through suffering.”
— Isaiah 48
Challenges, hardships, and even suffering are not signs of God’s absence—they’re often evidence of His hand at work, refining you like precious metal.
Instead of running from God in the midst of pain, Bill challenged us to press in deeper. Let the fire change you, not destroy you.
The Faith of Jesus – Not Just Faith in Jesus
This is where the message became deeply personal. Many of us are content to have faith in Jesus—to trust Him, call out to Him, and follow Him.
But Bill posed the bigger question:
Do we have the faith of Jesus?
What’s the difference?
In Mark 4, when the storm hits, the disciples panic. Jesus sleeps.
Why?
Because Jesus knew who His Father was. He understood the mission. He trusted the promises. His faith wasn’t fragile—it was settled.
Bill reminded us:
Jesus didn’t panic in the storm, and if we’re going to reflect Him to a watching world, neither should we.
Refined to Reflect
Faith in Jesus is where we start.
But we’re called to mature beyond that.
From fear to confidence.
From panic to peace.
From spectators to participants.
Galatians 2:20 puts it simply:
“I live by the faith of the Son of God…”
What if your life reflected not just your belief in Him, but His own unshakable faith living through you?
The Challenge: Through the Fire
Bill’s message closed with a call to action:
Don’t despise the fire. Let it refine you.
Hold onto Jesus when the storms rage.
Move from simply believing in Jesus to living like Jesus.
Step into a faith that transforms your choices, your speech, and your impact.
Because when the world sees the faith of Jesus in you, they won’t ask about your theology.
They’ll ask about your life.
Reflection Questions:
Are you running from the refining fire, or letting God shape you through it?
In life’s storms, do you have faith in Jesus, or are you growing into the faith of Jesus?
Where is God calling you to step up and live boldly with the faith that transforms?
