Rescuing Purpose

A fireman doesn't rescue people without the proper training, stamina, equipment to protect and enable him.

In order to be a firefighter, you need to have sharp mental and physical abilities. In such a high-stress job, it requires strength, good decision making skills and functional training to keep yourself safe while saving others.

Cardiovascular Training-Strong Heart and compassion toward others.

•             Caring, compassionate, people rescuing those in distress.

•             You train by doing exercises that condition your body and mind to become a better emergency response worker.

•    You must be able to work as and on a team.

•    What if the church got together into one mission, funneled into one purpose?

•             We could truly do the impossible.

•    You train spiritually by praying, reading, fasting, worshipping, giving and serving.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT "[10] I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose."

Strength Training-Perseverance-Endurance

Training in the gym-in the church.

Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT "[11] Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ."

Functional Training-Leaders that make quality snap decisions with honed skills, quick reflexes and developed muscles train with live burn exercises to turn them into the best firefighters possible.

•             If it is difficult for you to witness then you are making it too hard.

•             The Gospel is simple, Jesus made it as easy to get to Him as possible.

•    Call upon His name.

Romans 10:3-15 NLT

[3] For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. [4] For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. [5] For Moses writes that the law's way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. [6] But faith's way of getting right with God says, "Don't say in your heart, 'Who will go up to heaven' (to bring Christ down to earth). [7] And don't say, 'Who will go down to the place of the dead' (to bring Christ back to life again)." [8] In fact, it says, "The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart." And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: [9] If you confess(admit that your guilty of the crime of sin) with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. [11] As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." [12] Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. [13] For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." [14] But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? [15] And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

1.Rescue because you've been rescued.

•    I was trapped in a smoke filled, fire filled, high rise building completely cornered away from help, completely disconnect from an exit, with the fate of death staring me down.

•             Filled with depression, filled with fear, filled with anxiety, filled with hate, filled with a suicidal mindset ready to give up on life and received rescue.

•    Jesus showed up through people and rescued me.

Colossians 1:13-14 NLT "[13] For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, [14] who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins."

Luke 1:74-75 NLT "[74] We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, [75] in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live."

2. Rescue because its our sole mission.

•             Fire fighters rescue people they are not concerned with buildings, planes, trains, and automobiles, policies, procedures, and programs they are concerned with the most precious cargo ever, people.

Proverbs 24:11-12 NLT "[11] Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. [12] Don't excuse yourself by saying, "Look, we didn't know." For God understands all hearts, and He sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve."

•             God will change their heart, mind and spirt.

•    I will rescue.

•             God will be judge, I will be rescue.

•    Do you get it?

•    There is no possible way in the world that if someone is sincerely seeking God that change will not occur.

•             Christ has fulfilled the whole law, therefore whoever believes in Him is determined right before God, as much as he had fulfilled the whole law himself.

•             Talk about needing a rescue in

John 8:3-11 NLT "[3] As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. [4] "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?" [6] They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. [7] They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" [8] Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. [9] When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. [10] Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" [11] "No, Lord," she said. And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."

•             She wasn't even looking for a rescue but Jesus rescued her.

•    The religious we're looking for a victim of  ridicule, they were looking for a judgment, they were looking to excel their own goodness.

•             Rescue was far from their mind.

•             When you go deep into rescue you'll be dealing with some mess.

•    Jesus modeled to this woman that, "I'm not afraid to deal with you, I'm not afraid of your mess, I'm not afraid of the challenges you'll pose, I'm not afraid of the dangers, I am willing to get my hands dirty time after time to rescue you."

3. Rescue because it's your appointed time.

Jude 1:22-23 NLT "[22] And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. [23] Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives."

•             Rescuing is a process just like anything else.

•    Rescue those whose faith is wavering.

•             Weak, unsteady, unreliable, sometimes those new to faith, undecided between two opinions.

•    Rescue those snatching them from the flames.

•             Many so deep in trouble the only thing that will rescue is biblical love.

•    Rescue others who are so close to the destruction that it could affect you as you rescue.

•             Sin is the only thing that God hates so should  we avoiding the most remote contact with it, and hating that which borders on it.

Acts 26:16-18 NLT "[16] Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future. [17] And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles [18] to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me."

•             Appointed time to rescue.

•             Assigned to rescue.

•             God has chosen me, allotted me, called me, and destined me for this appointed time!

•    I was born for this.

•    I will engage it and not disbelieve it.

•             Appointment means something.

Illustrate here: fireman gear to show simple things that a fireman does.

•             "Put the wet stuff on the red stuff." It doesn't do any good to put water on anything but the fire. The point of fighting a fire is to extinguish it before it does too much damage. If you do not put water on it, it will continue to grow and get worse.

•             A fireman doesn't point the water stream at the people he's rescuing, he points it at the base of the fire he's trying to extinguish.

•    The religious just point the way, the stream, the law at the world.

•             Many times shooting wildly the stream and it can't make a difference in it's spraying, scattering, unfocused affect.

•             They condemn their activity, they condemn their every move, they even condemn their efforts.

•             Christians rescue those through quenching the fire around them.

•    Just like light dispels darkness, well the Spirit quenches sin, the Devil, and his cronies.

•             He disables their effort, He dismantles their mission.

•             Christians rescue with their words, they rescue with their activity, they rescue with their gifting, they choose to live their life in rescue mode.

•    Be careful in rescue mode.

•    Rescue does not mean ridicule.

•    Rescue does not mean judgment.

•    Rescue does not mean forcible change by an oppressor.

Rescue-saving someone from a dangerous or distressing situation. To keep from being lost or abandoned, retrieve.

•             God would that none would perish but that all would come to repentance.

•    Confession of sin, confession of guilt, shame, and condemnation.

•             He doesn't leave them in a building engulfed in flames.

•    How ridiculous is that?

•             He doesn't leave them in a building full of smoke.

•    The number one cause 50%-80% of fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation injuries rather than burns.

•    Inhaling the sin all around is just as dangerous as engaging in the sin itself. 

•    Hanging around a destructive, all element killing, all resource eating fire, will eventually get to you.

•             It will drop some dirt, some ash, and some destruction on you it's a force you can not reckon with.

•             Hanging around an environment of sin will get to you, get on you, and can engulf you.

•             He doesn't leave them in a car totaled from the accident and wish them good luck.

•    I'm sorry you're in this situation I have the tools to save you but...

•             I'm so busy I'll try to get someone else.

•             I would like to come, or I would like to serve but...

•             I would tithe but...

•             I can't commit every time but if you ever need a backup...

•             Be purposeful in your discipleship-Jesus made followers into fishers of men.

•             Be intentional to share the gospel-it is a specific message given at a specific time.

•             A transformed life sharing the transforming power of the gospel is a powerful combination.

•             Share the gospel in an attitude of grace.

•             The gospel always produces fruit.

•             The gospel is global in scope and meant to keep expanding to the least reached peoples at the ends of the earth.

•             Jesus was focused on seeking and saving the lost (not the saved). We should be as well.

•    We can not save the saved.

•    That's like fishing at Red Lobster.

•    They are already caught.

•             We can't keep rescuing at the church, summer camp, and life teams.

•    Rescue the lost.

•             Evangelism is part of discipleship not a separate event.

•             If our church and it's ministries are following Jesus they will reproduce.

•    They will rescue.

•             He promised they would.

•             If they are not, we must ask why.

•    If we believe then why wouldn't we share that belief with the world.

•    You'll only be criticized for doing too much by people who don't.

•             Rescuing is a lifestyle not a one time feeling, event, missions trip, or weekend retreat!

•    It takes purpose, strategy, character, and relationship.

•             Re...la...tion...ship.

1 Corinthians 9:22-23 NLT "[22] When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. [23] I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings."

•             If you wanna propel the purpose of God, rescue.

•             If you wanna catapult the mission of God into the future, rescue.

•             If you desire to stamp a legacy into this earth, rescue.

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many."

Proverbs 19:21 NLT "[21] You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail."

Firefighters Creed

When I'm called to duty God

wherever flames may rage

give me strength to save a life

whatever be its age

Help me to embrace a little child

before it is too late

or save an older person from

the horror of that fate

Enable me to be alert

to hear the weakest shout

and quickly and efficiently

to put the fire out

I want to fill my calling and

to give the best in me

to guard my neighbor and

protect his property

And if according to your will

I have to lose my life

bless with your protecting hand

my children and my wife

Romans 14:7-9 NLT "[7] For we don't live for ourselves or die for ourselves. [8] If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. [9] Christ died and rose again for this very purpose-to be Lord both of the living and of the dead."

•             Christians don't live for themselves!

•    The business of our lives is not to please ourselves, but to please God.

•             That is true Christianity, which makes Christ all in all.

•             Let every man/woman/boy/girl search their own heart and life; growing in faith and confidence in God daily.

•             Genuine interest in people, their lives, their cares, concerns demonstrates rescuing power, purpose and passion.

•    When was the last time you purposed in your heart to rescue someone?

•    You said in your heart, "I will make it impossible for them to go to hell!"

•             Christ is the end, the object or aim of the law making right before God every one that believes.

•    He contains within Himself all that the law demands.

•             Christ has made each of us good messengers with a good message.

•             Christian's who rescue are wise. Proverbs 11:30

•    Rescue one rescue all.

•             Rescuer of the nations.

•             God I ask for the nations as an inheritance I ask to make a global difference.

Psalm 2:8 NLT "[8] Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession."

•             As I rescue, then disciple, then mentor, the masses will be passionately introduced unto you.

•    May nations be shaken through my life, through my prayers and my passion for you.

•             God I rescue the purpose of the church in me, rescue the purpose through me.

•    God I allow Christ to make the necessary adjustment in and through me that I will see others, rescue others, reach them for global purposes, reach the nations.

•             Rescue the nations by giving, serving, living going, preaching His life, death, love and forgiveness for all.

•             My God is so big my God is extraordinarily able.

•    You know there ain't no mountain high enough aint no valley low enough ain't no river wide enough to keep me from gettin to you babe.

Jeremiah 23:29 NLT "[29] Does not my word burn like fire?" says the Lord. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?"

Jeremiah 20:9 NLT "[9] But if I say I'll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can't do it!"

•             Good news, rescuing news, a life altering message burns in me like an uncontrollable fire.

Illustrate here: Axe

•             Sometimes in a rescue there are blockages that keep us from a rescue.

•    A rescue of religion, atheism, agnosticism, indifference, unbelief.

•    God has called me to demonstrate His love, His forgiveness, His passion, His grace, destroy every barrier, exposé every exit and fire escape that the world will find Christ!

•             Mass rescues and individual rescues I am a part of them all!

•    Those that need rescued are in fear, in confusion, in frustration, incoherent to their surroundings.

•             They still need rescued.

Jesus said

John 15:12-13 NLT "[12] This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. [13] There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

•             Not every day will offer us a chance to save someone's life but every day offers us an opportunity to affect one.