[Biblemat] sermon on "being on Fire" or "zealous"

[Dan Henderson]

Here is a sermon I did a few years ago. It has worked well in several 
different congregations.
Dan

Zeal
Lk 24:13-35
Introduction:
A.	Luke 24:32 These men were inspired by the things Jesus spoke to them
B.	Jesus Told Why He Came to Earth - To die for all men Lk 24:25-27
C.	His words gave them a different outlook on Christian living and a 
burning desire (zeal) to tell others
Discussion:
I.	Are We Zealous in Our Work as Christians?
A.	1st reaction probably yes, inspection reveals no. Many have lost zeal
B.	Still love and claim faith in Lord
C.	Have knowledge needed to accompany zeal Rom 10:1-3
1.	Zeal without knowledge is dangerous Acts 18:24-28
a.	Apollos had zeal vs 25 but knew only John's baptism
b.	Converted many Jews vs 28, how many lost without teaching (knowledge) 
of Aquilla and Priscilla; Zeal relies on knowledge
2.	Knowledge without zeal is hated by God
a.	Ephesians left first love remove candlestick Rev 2:1-5
b.	Laodiceans lukewarm will spew out of mouth Rev 3:14-22
3.	Knowledge necessary but zeal just as important
D.	Zeal defined
1.	Enthusiastic and diligent devotion in pursuit of a cause, ideal, or 
goal;  a fervent adherence or service.  American Heritage
2.	zelos {dzay'-los}; fervent mind  1) excitement of mind, ardour, 
fervour of spirit, 1a) zeal, ardour in embracing, pursuing, defending 
anything, 1a1) zeal in behalf of, for a person or thing 1a2) the 
fierceness of indignation, punitive zeal 1b) an envious and contentious 
rivalry, jealousy Thayer's
3.	Can we honestly say we are fervently adhering to God's law
II.	Do We Show A Complete Devotion to God's Law
A.	Personal evangelism Mt 28:19-20; Acts 10:42
1.	Little or not at all; Our time should be spent telling others of Christ
B.	Attendance Heb 10:23-27
1.	Wednesday night below Sunday morning
2.	Many miss bible class and evening services
a.	Choose jobs we know will keep us away from services
b.	Start projects too late to finish before services
c.	Work and/or school activities which keep us from services
d.	Can't sit more than 45 minutes for Bible instruction
1)	Fish, Hunt, Football/Basketball/Baseball bleachers
e.	Do these attitudes show a zeal for God and hearing his word?
3.	Fervent adherence means attending whenever service planned
C.	Giving 1Cor 16:1-2
1.	Give as prospered or what we bring home
2.	Just give Lord from what is left after we satisfy our own wants
D.	Singing Eph 5:19-20; Col 3:16-17
1.	Large part of edifying one another in worship; must be from heart
2.	Sing other than at services James 5:13  Merry sing psalms
E.	Allow members to live in sin only gossiping of it
1.	Do we talk to those doing wrong or just talk about them
2.	If someone is doing wrong we need to talk to them not anyone else. 
If we don't listen gossip cannot spread
F.	Elders, deacons, preachers needed yet churches do not train young men
1.	Congregation here is self-supporting
a.	Are working to remain that way?
b.	Working towards supporting other men in preaching gospel
2.	Fervent adherence means doing best possible in all aspects
III.	Heart of All These Problems is A Lack of Zeal, Desire, Enthusiasm, 
and Burning Passion to do All That is Right in God's Sight
A.	How do we regain that zeal
1.	Had it as babes, wanted to tell everyone, do all we could for the Lord
2.	Two on the road to Emmaus regained
a.	Christ reminded why he came, died, and rose again. Lk 24:27
b.	Left for Jerusalem same hour to tell others Jesus was risen
c.	Jerusalem 6-8 miles away   Made trip once that day already
B.	Will not Christ's story give us zeal again also
C.	We retain zeal by constant remembrance of why Christ died
1.	Suffered for us; Died that we might be free Isaiah 53:5-7
2.	Christ is that fountain Zech 13:1
3.	Suffered these for us Mt 27:24-54
4.	Peter taught Pentecost why Christ died & who crucified Acts 2:22-40
D.	Christ died for our sins
1.	Arose and broke bonds of death that through him we might have 
salvation from death  (separation from God)
2.	Left heaven came to earth, die one of cruelest deaths known to man
a.	Suspended above the ground on a wooden cross
b.	Rough spikes were driven through his hands and feet
c.	Gravity pulled at him causing great pain
d.	Suffered most because alone while on the cross
E.	Death, burial, and resurrection we have salvation Rom 6:3-4
1.	Buried in baptism as Christ was buried in tomb
2.	Raised to walk in newness of life as Christ arose
Conclusion:
A.	To receive this salvation we must
1.	Hear Rom 10:14-17
2.	Believe Mark 16:16 and baptized-saved   believe not-damned
3.	Repent of sins (change way of life) Acts 17:30
4.	Confess Jesus is the Christ Rom 10:9-10
5.	Be buried in baptism for remission of sins and rise to newness of 
life 1Pet 3:21; Acts 2:38
6.	Live a life faithful unto Christ even through death 2Pet 2:20-21
7.	If we stray from this pattern we must
a.	Repent of our sins  Simon the sorcerer Acts 8:18-22
b.	If public sin must repent and ask forgiveness publicly
B.	Hope all study more about importance of zealously serving Lord
C.	Lack of zeal in service will cause to be eternally lost 1Cor 15:57-58
Daniel Lee Henderson   Jasper   2004/09

Dan Henderson
18 Rosewood Dr
Jasper, TX 75951
409-382-0093
dleehend at gmail.com
http://milamstcoc.org
http://straitway.org