Richard Ellis Talks

Richard Ellis: If you talk about heaven and act like there's no hell, then what does that even mean? We're all going to end up in heaven. No, we're not. Then where are the people that don't end up in heaven going to end up? They're going to end up in hell. You say, "I don't believe that." You will. But then you're on fire forever, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Guest (Male): You're listening to Richard Ellis Talks with Richard Ellis. Richard's style is unlike anyone else's, where he shares the life-changing message of the gospel in a way that's real, refreshing, focused, and fun. We know that life is pretty challenging these days, but these talks will help you meet those challenges head-on with biblical truth, encouragement, and direction.

Now, if you're not able to stick around with us for all of today's talk, you can always listen to, download, and even share this entire message with a friend right from our website, RichardEllis.com. So let's jump right in with today's talk. Here is Richard Ellis.

Richard Ellis: The title of today's message is On Fire. On fire. So what does it mean to be on fire? Part of the definition is a state of mind in which people believe that they are unstoppable and can do anything they want, and they do. They're just on fire.

Let's start in Exodus chapter three and look at some things on fire. Exodus chapter three, some people don't know anything about this story unless you've seen the old version of The Ten Commandments, and some kids have never even seen that. But there's a story in here where Moses goes up on the mountain and God appears to him. It's described here in verse two: "The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed."

It is possible to be on fire but not be consumed. Remember that at the end. This bush is burning, but it's not being consumed. How is that possible? Only God can do that. He can set you on fire and yet your life is not destroyed by that fire. There's a purpose for it. So on fire is not bad.

Daniel chapter three is another great story. Go to the right. These guys are told to fall down and worship. "If you don't, we'll throw you in this fiery furnace." They heat it up to tremendous heat, and they would not worship, so they get thrown in this fire. In Daniel chapter three, verse 25, the king looks in the fire and he says, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm."

They were thrown in the fire. The intent was to kill them, and they're multiplying in the fire. There were three. Well, who's in there with them? Jesus is in there with them. So it is possible to be in the fire but not on fire. They're in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods, brighter than even this cranked-up fire.

Now I'm going to read you some verses from Matthew 25. We're going to come back to it again in a minute, but in sequence, I'm reading you this. These are the verses that nobody wants to talk about, but you must read these, and you must think about these, and you must warn people about this. People say, "Well, I don't think this is going to happen. It scares people." Look what he says.

He's gone through a deal here about people who are on the right hand and the left, the sheep and the goats, and he divides them all out. He says, "Then He will say to those on the left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.'" You say, "Well, that's not real." I am going to have to give an account one day for not warning you.

The culture says, "Talk about Jesus, talk about love, talk about grace and mercy and forgiveness." Why do you need all that? Because there's an alternative. You say, "Well, heaven, everybody's going to heaven." I did a men's retreat recently. I was sitting with a group of men in a circle, and one guy nobody knew had been invited by the guy hosting the place at his ranch.

I looked at the kid sitting there, and it was just that moment where the Holy Spirit says, "Go." I looked at him and said, "If you died sitting there in that chair, what would happen to you?" And he began with, "Well, I've been a good guy," and it went that way. I listened and it was about him and being good.

I said, "Look, has anybody ever explained to you that it's a gift? That Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and raised from the dead to purchase a gift for you? All you can say is thank you and take it, or no thanks. If you say yes, it's heaven forever and life here with Him. If you say no, there's consequence." Sitting in front of that whole group of men, I said, "Would you like to do that?" He said, "I really would." He prayed out loud in front of about 25 guys and became a Christian.

If he had said no, he will burn forever. What if you were set on fire but you could never die? You say, "Well, God wouldn't do that to anybody." What did it just say? What did I just read you? Who was it prepared for? Into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. Why would you want to join the devil and his angels? Who gets to go there?

People say to me all the time, "I don't think a loving God would send anybody to hell." Then don't end up in hell. If you say you don't need God, then it's hell. You witness to people and tell them about all this good stuff, but it's also important to tell them that if you don't figure this out, this is how this ends up. This is where you end up. You say that might scare someone. That might be okay.

What do we tell our kids? Don't run in the street. Why do we tell them not to run in the street? Because you might get hit. "Oh, but we don't talk about the negative stuff. The street's just not a good place." No, you can die in the street. Don't go in the street. Look both ways and be careful. Why? Because there's consequence.

If you're still not comfortable talking about this, it's okay, He is. If you explain this to people, look, there is a heaven and there is a hell. By the way, if you talk about heaven and act like there's no hell, what does that even mean? We're all going to end up in heaven? No, we're not. Where are the people that don't end up in heaven going to end up? They're going to end up in hell. You say you don't believe that. You will. But then you're on fire forever, and there's nothing you can do about it.

I would rather make you a little uncomfortable here than have you curse me on fire forever because no one bothered to warn you. Let that sink in for a minute and process it. You say that's a scary thought. It should be a scary thought. It's your eternity. You say you didn't want to think about that. You're going to be okay, but think about it. If it's true, and it is, and you die, being separated from God in eternal fire forever is not going to be a good thing. It's not about how long. In eternity, you just are forever and ever and ever.

On a positive note, let's look at Luke chapter 24. Jesus has died, been buried, and raised from the dead. Why would He go through all of that if there wasn't something worth saving us from? That's what it took. Jesus joins a couple of guys walking from Jerusalem to a city nearby called Emmaus. On the road to Emmaus, He talks to them, but He doesn't reveal who He is. Somehow they don't see that it's Jesus.

He walks with them down that path. At the end of the trip, they say, "Stay with us." At dinner, He eats the food and folds His napkin. They realize it's Him and He disappears. This is their commentary about their experience with this man when they didn't know it was Jesus. Verse 32: "And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'" The word there means to set on fire.

Let me tell you what will happen to you if you spend some time with Jesus. He will set your heart on fire. What does that look like? Think about the sin that you were on fire for, and then flip that and say you're going to be that way about Jesus. You're eaten up. We use words like consumed. People get consumed with their sin. They can't walk away from it.

They think about nothing else but that. They will give their lives and their families to it. I know a young woman that I've known since she was born, and she is chasing hard. She has abandoned her husband, her children, and everything for her sin. Now, I know that she's a believer. If God can turn her heart around so that instead of being on fire for sin, she gets on fire for Him, then there would be no stopping this woman. That's why I pray for her.

We'll be ready when she comes back to be a part of the party to say, "Okay, let's help her turn this around." People say they don't know what it means to be on fire for God. Yeah, you do. You're on fire for something else. Some people, their whole mouth and everything about them is about alcohol. I can just say the word and they're thinking about where it's stashed or where they're going to stop to grab some. It's not a beer; it's a case of beer.

For other people, it's their weed. They're thinking about getting home and getting a Great Barrier Reefer and going at it. Those are from Australia if you didn't know. You think that's not true? I promise you, if I asked for a show of hands for weed, alcohol, or sex, hands would go up. Their whole life is chasing that.

Some of you look at me like, "Dude, what are you talking about? That's not my life." Good for you, welcome to the planet. The people that live on this planet and don't follow Christ are consumed with something. They're going to make money, they're going to be rich, and their whole life is consumed with that. When asked how their relationship with Christ is, they say they are so busy.

They say they are thinking that when they retire, they're really going to get into that. They're trying to set it up where they have more time for Jesus after they've made it. You'll never make it without Jesus. Even if you "make it." Imagine all that passion and drive, and all of a sudden you spend time with Jesus. Out of that time, your heart literally is set on fire for Him.

One of the coolest things about a gathering like this is I come into a room and I see that I'm here and you're here, and then I realize we are not alone. There is a presence unseen that is more real than all of us put together. He's required to be here because we're here as believers. He guaranteed He'd be here. I'm not talking about just having to be somewhere; I'm talking about being able to walk through a room and know that He is in control.

First Corinthians chapter three, verse nine says: "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

"Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is." God says to build your house on the foundation. What are you building with? Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw?

He sets your house on fire at the end and tests it. What is revealed by the fire? If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet as though through fire. People ask if it is once saved, always saved. Yes, but it doesn't say you won't suffer loss.

You'll make heaven, but what if when He set your house on fire everything that you did that was worthless was consumed and you're left with barely anything? That's what your reward in heaven is based on. In that moment, you go, "What was I thinking? Why did I build on nothing?" So what are you building that will last? What deposits have you made on the other side? What will survive this fire?

Verse 16 says, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." I'm not trying to scare you, but you need to think of these things. If you defile where God lives, He has the right to take you out. You can't mess with this stuff.

People say only the good die young. No, sometimes the bad die young. I'm not saying everyone who dies is tied to this, but this is written to Christians specifically. He's not messing around. Getting me in His family cost Him His Son. He has a reason for me being on the planet. I'm either about that, or I need my number pulled because there's no hope for me finishing the task that He's put me here to do.

I would not mess with a holy God. If you go back to the early church in Acts, Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead one after the other. You say that's not happening anymore. I do a lot of funerals along the way. Every once in a while I wonder if they died of natural causes or supernatural causes. I want to be alive when He says something like, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

If you're going to say that you're alive, then it needs to be that burning on fire for Christ. If I say those words and you just stare at me and nothing stirs, you're in trouble. You need to think about that. You say I'm trying to make you feel bad. You already do. I'm trying to help you feel better by chasing after Him, not the world or their approval.

What's He doing? What's He up to? Let Him get living in you and alive in you, stirring up who He's made you to be. There is nothing like that. If you're Christians, you'll meet my grandfather. He died in his 70s, and I remember as a small child fire coming out of his eyes.

He hadn't always been a nice man, but he was a pastor. The closer he got to Jesus, the more his eyes squinted and the brighter the fire that came out of that old man's eyes. He knew Jesus and he loved Jesus. Everyone that knew my grandfather knew that. What are you known for: being on fire for sin or for Him?

Second Timothy chapter one, verse six says: "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." The word stir up here means to rekindle. You say the fire's out and it's just ashes. A Christian fire never goes out. It looks dead, but if you stir in the embers, there are always embers.

If you're cold and don't care anymore and don't think about heaven, Jesus, or the Bible, then something's wrong. You climb in a closet and you say, "Lord, we need to look at my fire." Then you start putting things on the fire that will burn for Him, not for you. Feed the fire with His stuff, not your stuff.

In James chapter three, verse one, it says: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." Let me make an observation based on this scripture. If someone's mouth is out of control, there's a good chance their body is out of control. When you can control your mouth, your body is probably under control.

Indeed we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships, although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

When a fire goes, it can take out hundreds of thousands of acres, thousands of homes, and kill people. The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. You're either speaking God's words or hell words.

The tongue is untamable. I happen to know someone who can tame the tongue: Jesus. But you've got to have Him living on the inside and give Him permission to control what you say and don't say. In the flesh as human beings, we take people apart. Every kind of beast and bird and reptile and creature of the sea is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

But no one can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

Can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. It can't come out of the same place. You say but it does every day. That should be a problem. You should say this does not make sense. This is not right. So God help me with my tongue.

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. It's amazing how quiet it gets. One of the worst I ever hear is, "Well, I promise not to say anything, but we need to pray for sister so-and-so. Just don't tell anybody I told you, but this and that." We don't say it a certain way in my house, so I'll just go with keep your mouth shut.

You say, "How would I know if I'm really concerned about somebody or not?" You'll know, because the Holy Spirit will say to keep your mouth shut. You liked it when I was talking about sex, weed, and alcohol. This is everybody. Me included. And you can destroy a person; literally destroy an entire life.

Patrick and I have had conversations about this. Somewhere in his life, some woman accused him of something that didn't happen and would have destroyed him if his pastor hadn't stepped in and said that did not happen, and protected him. The problem is, there's plenty of stuff we're saying that is true.

God is working on me. I don't use words gratuitously or just to say something sensational. If you're going to use words, you better make sure it's God telling you to use those words. The only way that's going to happen is if He is living in you and through you and controlling your heart and your mind.

Everything that the Bible prophesies happens. The statistical probability of prophecies coming true are ridiculous. It's impossible, and yet they come true. If the things prophesied in the Old Testament have come to pass, the things in the New Testament foretold are going to happen too.

Second Peter chapter three, verse ten says: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." The earth and everything on it and in it will be consumed. You say that can't happen. It's right here.

God doesn't need a meteorite to take the earth out. He can drop fire from heaven. When it happens, you will believe that it's happening. And pray to God you're in heaven when it does. So the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

Enjoy your time while you're here, but build a house on the other side. Put your deposits on the other side. I may not die with much, but I'm going to live forever with Him. He's building me a house. I've kind of made a request that Rebecca live really close to me. Because we won't be married in heaven, but she's my best friend. That would be nice.

Guest (Male): Richard will be back in a moment to wrap up today's talk. But first, I want to share a couple thoughts with you. Let's be honest. Real life isn't about living some highlight reel for others to see. Most people have deep hurts, questions, and struggles. We get it, and want to help you in any way we can.

So let's keep this conversation going. Give us a call at 855-6-RICHARD or connect with us at our website, RichardEllis.com. You can even put in your prayer request right there on the prayer wall so others can pray for you as well. Call us at 855-6-RICHARD or online at RichardEllis.com. And now, let's get back to Richard with a final word on today's show.

Richard Ellis: How many of you ever had your house burn literally to the ground? Raise your hand. One. Anybody else? You know what's left when your house burns to the ground? Not really anything. Don't build down here. Don't give your life to this.

Ask God, if you're not a Christian, say, "God, I don't know what they're talking about, but I'm on fire for all the wrong things and they are destroying my life. I'd like a piece of this. I'd like to be on fire for You, for something that matters." And then you're not going around lighting fires that destroy people; you're lighting fires that bring people to life.

And maybe you are a Christian, and it's down to ashes and embers, and you would say, "Lord, I need to stir this up. I need to feed this. I need to get back to what I know works." I happen to know a really good firefighter. I don't care what your fire is, He can put it out.

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