Reasons why we must be careful not to dispose of zeal

Transcription

1 Sermon Series: Just Add Virtue Zeal Week Four Speaker: John Hopper, Executive Pastor August 12, 2012 Zeal (definition) Ardent ; fervent for a cause; a pursuit Reasons why we must be careful not to dispose of zeal God is (Isaiah 59:15b-19; John 2:14-17) God us to be full of zeal (Romans 12:11) What should we be zealous about? (Ezekiel 39:15) (Isaiah 9:7) (Luke 15:4-7) Five instructions about zeal Zeal is not about public displays or symbolism; it is about (Isaiah 1:13-17) If we are to be properly zealous for the Lord then we must ourselves that which proper zeal (Philippians 4:8) Go for it with your (Romans 12:6-8) Expect zeal to something (2 Corinthians 6:3-10) Zeal must be (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

2 Zeal Defini&on: Ardent affec&on; fervent eagerness for a cause; a wholehearted pursuit

3 Why Zeal? God is zealous

4 Isaiah The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no jus&ce. 16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salva&on for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salva&on on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.

5 Isaiah According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribu&on to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. 19 From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent- up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along.

6 John 2 14 In the temple courts he found men selling caule, sheep and doves, and others sivng at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and caule; he scauered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father s house into a market! 17 His disciples remembered that it is wriuen: Zeal for your house will consume me.

7 Why Zeal? God is zealous God directly calls us to be full of zeal

8 Romans Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

9 Romans 12 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves 12 Be joyful in hope, pa&ent in afflic&on, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God s people who are in need. 14 Prac&ce hospitality. 15 Bless those who persecute you; 16 bless and do not curse.

10 2 Chronicles 19 9 You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.

11 Objects of Zeal God s name

12 Objects of Zeal God s name Jus&ce and righteousness

13 Isaiah 9 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with jus&ce and righteousness from that &me on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

14 Objects of Zeal God s name Jus&ce and righteousness The souls of men and women

15 Luke 15 4 Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety- nine in the open country and go aher the lost sheep un&l he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.

16 Luke 15 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety- nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

17 Instructions about zeal Zeal is not about public displays or symbolism; it is about wholehearted commitment

18 Isaiah 1 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convoca&ons I cannot bear your evil assemblies. 14 Your New Moon fes&vals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

19 Isaiah 1 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek jus&ce, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

20 Instructions about zeal Zeal is not about public displays or symbolism; it is about wholehearted commitment If we are to be properly zealous for the Lord then we must feed ourselves that which fuels proper zeal

21 Instructions about zeal Go for it with your gihs

22 Romans 12 6 We have different gihs, according to the grace given us. If a man's gih is prophesying, let him use it in propor&on to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contribu&ng to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

23 Instructions about zeal Go for it with your gihs Expect zeal to cost something

24 Instructions about zeal Go for it with your gihs Expect zeal to cost something Zeal must be draped in love

25 I Corinthians 13 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gih of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.