Fire! Fire!
Ephesians 4.2-4 ~no urgency these days
The fire represents urgency, the need to be on the move for God today.
All characters are lounging on chairs, “busy doing nothing”. There’s a great need in the outside world, and no-one is really bothered about outreach..
FIRE! FIRE!
Number 1: There’s a fire outside and the wind is blowing it this way!
Number 2: Flaming nuisance!
Number 3: Before we do anything, should we not confront this situation with a word of prayer. (Others moan ‘Saints preserve us’)
Number 4: Ah but we’ve not brought this matter before the committee (or the P.C.C.) We need directives from the top.
Number 5: But if we act, won’t all of this involve self-sacrifice and the giving of our time, talents and money to help fight the fire!
Number 6: There you go again, bring up the subject of money. Money, money, money that’s all we ever hear!
Number 7: Well I think this calls for action here and now. Perhaps this is the time to work all together as a team for a change.
Number 8: Who on earth does he think he is, some prophet, a modern day saint? Sit down and leave this to the experts.
Number 9: Well, being leader her, I can see how you all feel tense and disorientated as this terrible fire approaches. I know what should be done, and there’s bound to be problems, least of all how to get us all to work together. But please don’t feel I’m taking sides here. I don’t want to alienate anyone. I’ll just sit here on the fence and once everyone has come to a firm decision, I’ll gladly come to the fore.
Number 10: My it’s getting hot in here now. (All look uncomfortable).
Number 1: Well I’ve got a burning desire to share a song with you that's on my heart at the moment, a song the Lord gave me recently! I feel so much that this is the right song for this moment. I hope you all don’t mind. (Sings “Call the Fire Brigade”).
Number 2: Heard it! Heard it! Heard it all before!
Number 3: No, it was absolutely wonderful, and hasn't he got a beautiful voice?
Number 4: And boy does he know it? Will someone open a window please it is getting a bit hot in here.
Number 5: Well I’m not volunteering this time; it’s always me that gets landed with the dirty jobs.
Child: I’m going to call 999. Someone’s got to do something or we’ll all burn!
Number 6: Bit outspoken for a kid ain’t ya.
Number 7: Oooh my! Look I’m getting blisters and some third degree burns!
Number 8: Dangnab it, so am I (Ambulance sirens)
Number 9: So? What we gonna do? (no answer)
Number 10: I dunno, why don’t we see what’s on TV?
All: Yeah!!! Yihaa!
THE NEED TO REACH OUT TO A NEEDY WORLD WITH GOD’S MESSAGE OF LOVE, JUSTICE AND PEACE, TO PUT THAT LOVE INTO ACTION, AND TO CARE FOR THE WORLD GOD HAS CREATED, IS SO IMPORTANT, DON’T YOU THINK?
BUT LIKE A FIRE WHICH IS SPREADING ~ IS ANYONE TAKING IT ALL SERIOUSLY?
Same drama: (shorter version)
There’s a fire approaching
Evangelism is urgent, but like the fire in this drama-is anyone taking it seriously?
No 1) (hurries in proclaiming)
There's a fire! There's a fire !
And it's heading this way!
There are 'souls to be won!
There are jobs to be done!
Will you leave or will you stay? (freezes, hand in the air)
No 2
Well I hope you're not expecting
there'll be things for me to do!
My time is precious! And time can't wait.
I'll not be helping you! (turns around)
No 3
Well if she's not helping, then nor am I,
do you take me for a clown?
It's always me that does it all.
It really gets me down. (also turns his back)
No 4
Well before you go, I think
The situation calls for prayer!
And offer this dangerous fire to the Lord!
We can't just leave it there! (kneels in prayer)
No 5
Well whatever we decide to do,
we'll have to wait and see!
We need a firm decision!
Let’s consult the P.C.C. (gets diary out)
No 6
This is a 'kingdom' moment!
And I know it may be wrong!
But may I go and get my guitar
and share my latest song? (picks up guitar and sings:
‘Get the fire brigade,
before the building
really starts to burn)
No 7
That fire's a worry, it's getting near,
can't you all just see?
I only hope it doesn't interfere with
my programmes on T.V. (sits and watches into space)
No 8
We're really not getting anywhere
and the fire is fast approaching
Let's look lively or we all will burn,
do you want to take a roasting. (looks horrified)
No 1
All we really have to do,
is leave and be on our way.
THIS IS THE MOMENT
And we must grasp it today!