🔥 Sermon: Grace Over Fire — When Zeal Needs Wisdom.

Text: Luke 9:54–56 (NKJV)

“And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’ But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’”

Introduction: When Grace Was New to Me

When I first came to Jesus, I was overwhelmed by His mercy. I was forgiven, washed, and free. But I hadn’t yet learned to give that same grace away. I wanted everyone to change overnight — like I thought I had. Truth is, I was still carrying an old man’s pride wrapped in new-believer fire.

I thought I was defending truth, when really I was guarding ego. I thought I was being bold, but I was being brash. And like those two disciples, I was ready to “call down fire” on anyone who didn’t see things my way. But the Lord said, “That’s not My Spirit.”

1. Zeal Without Grace Burns Instead of Warms

Fire can purify or destroy. Holy zeal is a gift when guided by the Spirit — but without love, it becomes a torch in the wrong hands. There’s a difference between standing firm and standing harshly. The Pharisees were firm, but they missed the heart of God. Jesus was firm too — but always redemptive. He came to restore, not scorch.

2. Grace Isn’t a Compromise — It’s Christ in Motion

Grace doesn’t excuse sin; it disarms it. It’s easy to love people who agree with us — but the real test of grace is loving those who don’t. The disciples thought “different” meant “dangerous.” Jesus taught them that “different” could be “developing.” Some people aren’t against God; they’re just not there yet. And that’s where grace over fire comes in.

3. The Spirit of Christ Saves — The Spirit of Pride Scorches

Every believer faces this moment — when our zeal for truth must bow to the humility of Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” That’s a heart check for every one of us. If my passion doesn’t point people to the Cross, then it’s just smoke without fire — sound without Spirit.

Conclusion: Hope Over Cope

Today, I thank God He didn’t give up on me when I was all fire and no grace. He tempered my flame with mercy. Now I know: it’s not about winning arguments — it’s about winning souls.

The Kingdom doesn’t grow through condemnation; it grows through compassion wrapped in conviction.That’s the Hope over Cope way — firm in truth, soft in heart, and on fire for the right reason.