Handout for Sermon: ENTHUSIASM FOR GOD & HIS WORK. June 25th, 2023, Manchester, TN. 9:30 a.m.
Introduction: I think we all know that “attitude is everything!” Our attitude and disposition make a world of difference in how we think, act, and interact with others as well as how we worship and serve God. It should not surprise us that God makes mention of the human heart over and over in His word. Scripture: Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 4:23 & 15:13, Psalm 51:10, Philippians 4:7. Today I want us to explore the idea of enthusiasm that comes from believing in and knowing God more intimately.
Lesson: 1.DEFINE THE WORD ENTHUSIASM. Definition: Intense and eager enjoyment, a great desire to become involved in, eagerness, fervor, high energy, keenness, optimism, and zeal. History of the word, enthusiasm: The Greek word is a blend of two words: “EN” which means “in” and the other is “THEOS” meaning “God.” So this word originally meant “having God within us!”
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Corinthians 9:8 Scripture clearly speaks of an eagerness and enthusiasm in our relationship with God and His work in us.
2.AN EXAMPLE OF ENTHUSIASM. Open your Bibles to Luke 24:13-25 Two followers of Jesus on the dusty road home to Emmaus at the end of a long perplexing and disappointing day. Scripture: Matthew 28:11-15, Luke 19:28-44, 23:26-54.
Application: Our lives are busy, complicated, and messy. We often ignore Jesus presence in our lives even though He is always with us, loving each one of us deeply. How do we miss seeing Him? How do we not recognize Him? It is because we get so caught up in our own pain, anger or guilt, that we miss seeing Him! The two disciples, recognizing that “burning in their hearts” (enthusiasm), set out at once despite the dangers of travel at night. They went out spreading the good news they had failed to see earlier!
Enthusiasm enables us to overcome disappointments and setbacks so we can be positive, optimistic and keep up our interest and zeal, even when things are tough and harsh! Enthusiasm is the fuel that empowers the Christian in their work and service to Christ.
3.OPPOSITES OF ENTHUSIASM. Apathy, indifference and laziness are all of the devil. Apathy is thinking that greatness and hope is all past! Apathy destroys passion and devotion. When we grow weary there is no effort to impact others thus we will stagnate, the church will also stagnate and eventually die! Laziness is the fear of change because it requires one to grow beyond his or her comfort level. Resisting change becomes the prerequisite of an unwilling and unyielding heart to the Lord. All you are left with are excuses! The disease of apathy breeds gossip, pride, legalism, slander and much more, all of which destroy energy and enthusiasm. Spiritual enthusiasm will enable us to overcome and be victorious. You can overcome disappointments and setbacks. It also moves your mind to being positive, optimistic, and keeping up your interest, attitude, and zeal even when things are harsh or difficult. Scripture: Matthew 5:16, Philippians 4;11-13, Romans 12:11-13, Galatians 6:9, Colossians 3:23-24
4.OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD – INVOLVES ENTHUSIASM. We are taught in scripture that “in Him we live and move and have our very being,” Acts 17:28 We may think we are close with God, but if there is not eagerness for Him, energy and joy we are not as “plunged into God” as we should be. We can even deceive ourselves with this. The scriptures clearly teach the God is “in us” and we are to be “in Him!” Scripture: Colossians 1:27-28, Ephesians 2:19-22, Romans 8:9-11, Romans 5:1-5, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 13:5-6, Galatians 2:20, 1 John 4:15-1
5.GOD’S ADMONITION CONCERNING ENTHUSAISM. Scripture about growing weary: Isaiah 41:10. Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 12:12-13, Revelation 3:2 Scripture about quench not: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, Ephesians 4:30
Scripture about energy & enthusiasm: Ecclesiastes 9:10, Romans 12:11-12, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, Philippians 1:18. Colossians 3;23-24, 2 Timothy 2:15.
Christians and churches can lose their enthusiasm. Revelation 3:1-3, Revelation 2:1-5
