Shake It Off And Keep The Fire Burning
Acts Chapter 29 - Discovering God’s Blueprint for His Church
“Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it…whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.”(Matthew 16:18–19)
This series reveals how God builds His church and how we partner with Him to keep the fire burning.
“When Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, a viper came out of the heat and fastened on his hand…And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm.” (Acts 28:3–5)
Whenever you build a spiritual fire, the enemy shows up—because he can’t stand the heat you’re applying to him!
SATAN IS REAL, AND HE HAS A KINGDOM
It is a Kingdom of Darkness.
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness…” (Colossians 1:13)
The kingdom of darkness opposes everything in God’s kingdom:
Darkness ✖ Light
Deception ✖ Truth
Bondage ✖ Freedom
Fear ✖ Faith
Sickness ✖ Healing
Death ✖ Life
Pride ✖ Humility
Destruction ✖ Restoration
It is an Influential Kingdom
Satan showed Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world…” (Luke 4:5–6)
Satan’s reach is real—but temporary and subordinate to God’s authority.
It is a Counterfeit Kingdom
“He is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
The devil mimics God’s structure—false prophets, false churches, and counterfeit miracles—to steal worship. But his power is imitation, not creation.
It is a Limited Kingdom
“The strong man is defeated when the Stronger One comes!” (Luke 11:21–22)
Satan’s power is on a leash—restricted by God.
At Calvary, Jesus stripped him of authority and took the keys of death and hell. “You’re trespassing on property that belongs to Jesus!”
SHAKE IT OFF AND KEEP BUILDING THE FIRE
When the Serpent Strikes
When Satan fastens himself to your life, here’s what to do:
1. Ignore Him.
Don’t give him attention. Don’t discuss the viper—keep building the fire!
“Answer him not a word.”
The devil is a talker—don’t argue or justify yourself. Silence is strength.
2. Shake Him Off.
Praise is your best weapon!
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Shake off the enemy through worship, prayer, and speaking the Word.
3. Stay by the Fire.
The same fire that exposes the viper destroys it.
Stay faithful to:
The house of God
Bible study
New life discipleship
Faithfulness keeps the fire burning and the serpent powerless.
4. Throw Him in the Fire.
“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard.” (Isaiah 59:19)
What came out of the fire must die in the fire—turn up the heat!
5. Continue Your Ministry.
Paul’s deliverance became revival. What the enemy means to destroy, God turns into opportunity.
PRAY THE PROMISES
“God is no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:34)
What He did for the early church, He’ll do today!
When Israel faced Goliath, they waited on God—but God waited on David.
God moves when we move!
Pray the Word until it becomes reality.
Why Pray the Word?
It gives us the right language. God’s Word is the answer to every prayer.
It unites the church. Agreement in prayer releases power.
It aligns us with God’s will. Praying Scripture ensures we’re praying His priorities.
It invites the Spirit’s presence. The Spirit “shall teach you all things…” (John 14:26)
THE BOOK OF ACTS IS UNFINISHED
Acts doesn’t end with “Amen” because the Holy Ghost is still writing the story—through us!
The same Spirit that fell in Acts 2 is alive in the Church today.
We are living in Acts 29—the next chapter of revival and power.
“I would hate for our chapter to be pale in comparison to the first 28.”
If they turned the world upside down, we should be turning ours right side up!
Let’s live boldly, pray passionately, and let Heaven say: “The Acts of the Holy Ghost are still being written.”