Sermon – “Enthusiasm For The Lord”

33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.” 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease [i]among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were [j]weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. Jesus Warns of Offenses 6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of [a]offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into [b]hell fire. 10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For[c] the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be [c]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

2 “To the [a]angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your [b]patience, and that you cannot [c]bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

9 1-2 If I wrote any more on this relief offering for the poor Christians, I’d be repeating myself. I know you’re on board and ready to go. I’ve been bragging about you all through Macedonia province, telling them, “Achaia province has been ready to go on this since last year.” Your enthusiasm by now has spread to most of them.

This morning as I was on the way to church. I was reminded of a. Sermon illustration that I used probably nearly 20 years ago I was filling in for Pastor Cynthia fry at the Fairview Avenue United Methodist Church in south United Methodist Church and this illustration just came into my mind I guess with the weather and the things the way or they are today and you know share with John I wish it would have just been either everything covered with ice and snow or nice so would make the decision easy instead of this what do we do what do we do what do we do so this illustration there was this pastor was a very upbeat Pastor very enthusiastic enthusiasm for the Lord today then he was always upbeat new was a grumpy old fellow or grumpy old fart in his church that it does irritated him that the pastor was always so upbeat enthusiastic so there was one Sabbath it was just a nasty day just blistery cold and this miserable he thought boy I betcha he won’t be so enthusiastic today so he goes up to the patches What do you think of the weather he says well just praise the lord it’s not like this every day. Just praise the Lord that we do have springtime a come in you not think about when we know this springs are coming right we know there’s better days ahead so be joyful be enthusiastic for life be enthusiastic for the Lord amen let’s begin with prayer Heavenly Father we do praise you and magnify you we thank you for the opportunity to come into your house into worship you but Father we thank you that we can worship you every day everywhere that we are we can be thankful that we can worship you that we can have our of our minds can be thinking about about you and listening to what your spirit has to say by that we pray that your spirit your manifest presence be here today to speak to our hearts store God this to lift us up and and would help us to receive what you have forced today and it we would use it for your glory for your honor in Jesus’ name amen enthusiasm for the Lord and I hope that we do have great enthusiasm for the Lord our God is going to have a couple scriptures to begin with there’s a small beginning with Mark Chapter 9 versus 33 through 37 Then he came to Capernaum and he was when he was in the house he asked them what was it you were disputing among yourselves on the road but they kept silent you know when you think of that he asked them a question that they really didn’t want to answer because they knew that they weren’t supposed to be disputing about what they were disputing about so you know if you were younger you did something wrong your parents sit down they want to talk to you about it I envision the disciples hanging their heads down probably couldn’t even look him in the eye because they didn’t want to answer they were shamed of what they were disputing about on the road but Jesus was not about to scold them this was a great teaching moment for him to teach them something very valuable and something valuable for us. But they kept silent for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest and he set down called the 12 and said to them If anyone desires to be 1st he shall be the last of all and servant of all then he took a little child and set him in the midst of them and when he had taken him in his arms he said to them whoever receives one of these little children in my name receives made and whoever receives may receives not me but him who sent me so whoever receives Christ receives the father also a man and then I want to turn to Matthew Chapter 18 verses one through 11 and you’re going to see is very similar but a little bit different. At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven then Jesus called the little child to him said to him in the midst of them and said assuredly I say to you unless you are converted and become as little children you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven whoever receives one little child like this in my name receives made whoever calls one of these little ones who believes in me to sin it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea woad to the world because of offenses for offenses must come but wont of the man by whom the offenses come for if your hand or foot causes you to sin cut it off and cast it from you it was it is better for you to enter into life maimed lame or maimed rather than having 2 hands or 2 feet to be cast into everlasting fire and if your eye cause you to sin pluck it out and cast it from you it is better for you to enter into life with one eye rather than having 2 eyes to be cast into hell fire take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones for us say to you that in heaven there angels always see the face of my father who is in heaven for the Son of Man has come to save that which is lost May God had His blessings to the here and in the reading of His Holy Word when you read those 2 scriptures of course just the part that I shared from Mark you might think well but there are a lot different do they contradict themselves they really do not if you would read further and Mark you would see that they were very similar actually because Mark also has if you’re paying causes you to sin cut it off but between the passage with the foot in the child before them there’s also a little brief passage where the disciples were. The jesus says we found one that was casting out demons in your name should we rebuke him Jesus no he is for us he can’t be against us so Mark does add a little bit more and then further on was the additional stuff that without the Matthew So some people might take just that little bit and try to say well the Bible contradicts itself when really it doesn’t you just have to read additional chapter of the verses to find more information so my main focus is going to be what did Jesus mean when he told the disciples you must become as little children verse 3 assuredly I say to you unless you are converted and become as little children you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven now we must be very cautious that we do not take that passage out of context Jesus is not instructing the disciples to become childish Izzie we’re not to be childish in our faith in our walk with him you know there are some childlike characteristics that I am absolutely positive that Jesus is not meaning he’s not intended us to be like that because you know you ever had a child that threw a little temper tantrum there we all did right we’ve seen those kids throw themselves on the floor and just banged the floor with their hands intervene why because they didn’t get their way and they were tired or they were just cranky whatever so Jesus does not want us to be throwing temper tantrums Now I know that there are some adults that tend to throw a little temper tantrum but we are to overcome that were to repent and turn from that and then what else do little ones do when they don’t get their way they’ll wind the wind because they do not get their way their wine and tried to wear their parents down so that they’ll get their way is that what they’re trying to do. And I would tell you that if you allow that child to win if by their whining you give in to what that child wants whether it’s if they don’t want to sleep in the room bed they want to sleep with mommy and daddy were or they want this thing or that thing if they want and they get it the thinkable Wow That worked pretty good I’ll use that again the next time and sooner or later that child will rule that house if you allow their wanting to win and again we as mature Christians we’re not to whine when we don’t get our way we’re to make sure he has. What you want and over and corner but we’re not to why we’re not to become childish we’re to be mature so they were disputing about who’s going to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven again that was kind of a childish thing for them to be doing wasn’t it who’s going to be closer to Him in heaven if you remember there’s another passage where the mother of one of the disciples came to Jesus and then requested that one disciple said on his right in the other on the left he says that’s not for me to decide but the father but Jesus point is we are to have the faith of a child a child is completely dependent upon adults upon their parents for their safety for their sustenance for their knowledge to teach them and that’s faith of a child simply trust how many examples that you heard of a child just praying and just believing and it happening Well of course I knew it was going to be OK I prayed I knew that mommy was going to be OK because I prayed or I knew that this was going to work out because I prayed they just have complete and absolute trust they trust that their parents are going to take care of I’m going to supply their needs for them and watch over them but they simply trust God and have the simple faith to know that God is going to do what they requested that’s what he wants us to have that kind of faith that kind of trusting God. Faith that God looks for is 1st humble also the disciples were focused on what they viewed as greatness but they was looking at it from the worldly point of view who’s going to be the greatest who’s going to be the closest to him so you know looking at it from the world’s point of view we think we’re OK well who would you think would be the 1st who would be number one well would it be Peter I mean we know that Peter was one of the main disciples you got the main 3 Peter James and John right so who’s going to be number one what you think will Peter’s off these want to get out of the boat walk to Jesus right but then you think well there is John that when they were having dinner he rested his head on Jesus test he was very close to Jesus you think after the resurrection of Mary when told to disciples that Jesus has resurrected a Peter and John ran to the tomb with John got there 1st so maybe he should be 1st but he wasn’t brave enough then or in was it was Peter that enter in so maybe it’s Peter I don’t know it’s kind of a toss up there who’s number one well Judas we can’t even count him in the 12 because he killed himself because he betrayed him but then there’s Thomas would he be number 11 because he he doubted then you have the other Simon I don’t know that so you know how would we list him who would be number one but see that’s the worldly way to think who’s grades who’s the best Matthew 556 Jesus said Blessitt are the meek the meek for they shall inherit the earth lesser of those who are humble you know a child a young child again I keep going back to children they are not given to hardiness and pride and neither should we be given to such things to haughtiness and pride most children. Are characteristically humble and teachable not say most Earth probably the exception to the role but most children or humble and they are very teachable Jesus sums up humbleness in Luke 147 through 11 so he told a parable to those who were invited when he noted how they chose the best places saint of them when you are invited to by anyone to a wedding feast do not sit down in the best place lest one more honorable than you be invited by him and he who invited you and him calm and say to you give place to this man and when you begin with shame to take the lowest place but when you are invited go and sit down in the lowest place so that when he who invited you invited you comes and I may say to you friend go up higher then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you for whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted the humble will be exalted the humble would be great in his kingdom not those that seek to be exalted we must humble ourselves and allow he who invited to be the one to invite us of higher faith is exhorted throughout the Bible and it is an absolute necessity a lapse of necessity in our relationship with God to have faith it is impossible to please God without faith Hebrews $116.00 says but without faith it is impossible to please Him for He who comes to God must be lead that he is. How else could you believe how could you come to God or no god to have a relationship with God If you did not believe that he is you must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him diligently earnestly seek him if he chooses to 89 says For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of years not of works lest anyone should boast so you see there is a humbleness there and if he joins that we can’t boast it’s because of God’s Gift God’s grace we cannot boast you know in Sabbath school we’ve been studying in Matthew for quite some time usually takes us a long time to get through a book of the Bible and last week we were discussing the passages I used this morning and Rosanna had an amazing illustration of the character of children and I said Man that is awesome or then are you like that’s it that’s good that a preacher says Oh you can have it so I’m using it with her permission today because she gave it to me she pointed out that children are usually very enthusiastic they have much enthusiasm about things that they they enjoy the things that interest them they are very enthusiastic in that we should be enthusiastic for the Lord as my title says and that is not true kids just get so excited about things that interest them things they want to do they get excited about dance they get excited about school don’t as kids now right but some do I was not so much excited about school. Kids get excited about going to Disney world don’t they yes. Most most kids get so excited about going to Disney World you know they they want to go to that the magical kingdom they want to go there and they want to ride all the rides that are there they want to see all the neat characters that’s walking around the park that you know they’ve seen them on T.V. on the Disney Channel and all that I can remember when we took our kids to Disney World and you can probably relate to this if you taking kids and if you drove to Disney World you know they are we there yet Dad No we’re only about 15 minutes closer than we were the last time you asked me you know they get so excited they’re bouncing off the wall want to go to Disney World they love it it’s so exciting and so much enthusiasm there in your character or they just they just can’t wait to get there and I remember the one time we went in one of my daughters she one of the ride Space Mountain and she was so enthusiastic about all Daddy I just want I want to ride and I want to run down like I don’t think I don’t think you’re going to like it yes I am I’m going to love it I want to go I want to go Anyone know a Space Mountain is a huge old roller coaster that’s inside and it’s pitch black you cannot see those curves come and you can’t see the dips in the in the none of that and so it just direction throws over the place so we get there and she’s all enthusiastic that we get in that seat nothing takes off then that enthusiasm turned to fear. She slid down in that seat non-war I’m trying to hold on 3rd she’s a scream and that was that doozy Asim turn to fear and this is the daughter over on that side. But it was great fun and they had so much fun enthusiasm their enthusiasm as does is defined as an intense and eager enjoyment do we have an intense and eager enjoyment in our service for the Lord. The SO not question out there the sit in the seminar for enthusiasm is eagerness keenness fervor and warmth and some of the synonyms for fervor are passion enthusiasm zeal meaning intense intense emotion compelling to action love that zeal meaning and emotion compelling to action when employers look at prospective candidates for a job beyond skills experience and training they look for those who demonstrate enthusiasm those they do they believe will complete at a Sat VO will complete assigned task in an upbeat and cooperative manner all other things being equal a candidate who demonstrates positive attitudes and eagerness to tackle the job will have an advantage over one who displays an attitude attitude viewed by the employer as negative or dissin arrested in fact many employers would rather provide jobs skills training to an A to Z. asked Dick but inexperience worker then hire someone with the perfect qualifications but less than a positive attitude manager sometimes worry that this type of person will not get along with supervisors coworkers will treat customers disrespectfully and not put much effort into his or her work on the other hand employees who are viewed as enthusiastic are known to provide good customer service resolve interpersonal conflict affectively and work productively with others don’t be that negative employee Don’t be that negative member Don’t be that negative person period. When it comes to our faith we should have zeal a zeal that is so intense that it compels us to action Colossians $323.00 says and whatever you do do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men do it for the Lord and to him not worried about what that one sees or is going to think but do it unto the Lord who can a den of FISONs zealous persons in the Bible form a new Paul be the 1st. Paul was very zealous Peter was very zealous I mean he was Ella’s to defend the Lord man who cut that guy’s ear off quick there. SIMON It was there are very many enthusiastic people in the Bible but of course Paul one of the most admirable caught qualities of the possible was his zeal his zeal was present though even before he became a Christian in fact that same zeal was partly responsible for is destructive work of the early church he put many believers in Christ to death Paul said as much in the lation as $114.00 he says and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers he was very zealous in all that he did Paul gave it his all before Christ but then after Christ that zeal transferred he was probably one of the most zealous evangelists ever for the Gospel of Jesus Christ the presence of zeal does not ensure that one’s actions will be admirable or morally right Paul is a perfect example that proof of that. However to have that zeal is commendable and it is important in fact it is required of all Christians if accompanied by the knowledge referred to by the Apostles that makes for a Christian who is strong in their faith active in their expression of that faith a Christian that is happy a Christian that is content with his place of servant hood in the Lord the Apostle Paul again serves an example of set seal company by knowledge when we look at his life we see that zeal Paul said Philip Ians 3 1st in chapter 3 verses 12 to 14 Not that I have already attained or am already perfected but I press on that I may lay hold of that which for Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me brother and I do not count myself to have apprehended but one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward so those things which are ahead I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus God wants us to have enthusiasm in our faith in our walk with Him He wants us to be excited about serving Him serving His Kingdom as a child of God He wants us to be as excited about our future entrance into the kingdom of God as a kid is when entering into the magical kingdom of Disney World we should be that excited because it’s not just for a temporary stay it’s not just make believe but it’s for eternity we should be excited about that in his book The crisis in the university Sir Walter Mobley cites the failure of evangelicals to penetrate university campuses with the gospel to those who claim to follow Christ he says if 110th of what you believe is true you ought to be 10 times as excited as you are. We ought to be excited some might say well you know. I’ve been a Christian for so long and I’m getting older man it’s so hard to keep that excitement gone you know as you’re getting older you know when people are young they have so much 6 things so many things to look forward to so many things to get excited about you know this very sings in your life you know I can think back as a teenager I couldn’t wait I was so excited that I was getting close to 16 because I wanted to drive in the worst way love to drive and it does it brings that independence you can be good when you want to go or when your parents let you go but it brings out freedom so I was so excited about getting my license Isabel’s laugh and I don’t think she has that enthusiasm but get her license but I was if I would have studied for everything in school the way I studied to make sure I passed that drivers exam on the very 1st try I probably had straight A’s all the way through school because I made sure that I passed that the 1st time and I was very enthusiastic about practicing and practicing and parking to make sure I’d pass the driving part to 1st time I was very enthusiastic about getting my license and you know maybe you were too there’s other things we get excited about more younger you know we have our life ahead of us were excited about getting married and we found that perfect man or woman that we choose to marry you know and we have said zeal and enthusiasm and we’re seeking that person don’t we and when we give it our all it moves us to action as our faces and zeal should move us to action but you know we we go after that we date Depor and we buy them gifts we take them places we really you know live it up to try to gain that person’s love much excitement enthusiasm then we get excited whenever we’re going to have children and then many of us get really excited we’re going to be grandparents but there are others though that aren’t so excited about grandparent because it reminds them of their getting old. And as we get older we kind of maybe tend to lose a little bit excited because we think well we don’t have as many years ahead of us as we have behind us so we lose a little bit of that excitement but again we’re looking at it was worldly eyes because brothers and sisters we have eternity before us when we are in him let’s be excited about that again must be excited about inner into that Kingdom of God Let’s have that zeal and excitement in our walked out matter how we are I don’t care if we’re 87 let’s be excited for the Lord Amen we have plenty of life before us we have plenty to be enthused about we need to remember a new what God has done for us what God has prepared for us we need to remember that when we get there we’re not going to have all the hindrances that we have on this earth why are we so excited about this earth where we get colds and flus and we get bad backs and we get bad needs and we get all these other diseases a calm we should be way more excited about what he has prepared for us a place where there will be no more tears will be no more sickness no more disease it not exciting yes be enthused about it revelations 2 verses one through 5. And this is John’s letter to the church of emphasis says to the angel the Church of F.S.S. right these things say he who holds the 7 stars in his right hand who walks in the midst of the 7 gold lamb stands I know your works your labors your patients and that you cannot bear those there who are evil and you have tested those who say they are apostles in are not and have found them liars and you have persevered and have patience and have labored labor for my namesake and have not become weary What’s that mean they’ve remained enthusiastic they have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against you you have left your 1st love Remember therefore from where you have fallen repent and do the 1st works or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamb stand from its place unless you repent we need to remember that 1st love that’s one of the ways we keep that enthusiasm going on remember how on fire you were for the Lord when you 1st believed and keep it gone you know I want to be your cheerleader today be the one to encourage you to to remain enthusiastic in your faith because we are in Christ Jesus we are renewed we are born again we will have eternal life when he comes back be excited about that as sore Walter Moberly Moberly said we should be 10 times as excited as we are that includes myself. I’m not just preaching to you all we all need to be excited Colossians 3 verses one through 4 if then you were raised with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God set your mind on the things above not on the things of the earth for you died in your life is hidden with Christ in God When Christ who is our life appears then you also will appear with him in glory hallelujah doesn’t that get you a little bit excited I hope I hope keep up the enthusiasm no one keeps up the enthusiasm automatically it’s just not our nature is it enthusiasm must be nourished it must be fed it must be fed with new actions new aspirations new efforts new visions if we lose our enthusiasm it’s no one’s fault but our own we must feed it 2nd Corinthians $91.00 through 2 The Message Bible says if I wrote any more on this relief offering for the poor Christians I’d be repeating myself I know you I know you’re on board and ready to go I’ve been bragging about you all through Macedonia Providence province telling them occasion province has been ready to go on this since last year your enthusiasm by now has spread to most of them their enthusiasm spread to the other churches our enthusiasm should spread it should be contagious we should have that much enthusiasm I found an illustration from Charles Spurgeon someone asked him once why do so many people come to hear you preach he says Why I guess because I’m sets in the do the ask the preacher. And he says if he goes here’s what you ought to do he says go pour some kerosene over yourself and like yourself on fire we’ll come watch you burn Now that’s kind of a strange thing to say but we should be praised the Holy Spirit would set a fire in our hearts ignite us set us on fire and let him come and watch us burn burn for him amen I want to far I want that far deep down in here in my heart for Jesus Christ and I want to that enthusiasm to spread so I’m trying to be your cheerleader Montera leader today to be enthusiastic for the Lord have that childlike enthusiasm children you enthused this morning look at him they’re jumping up and down. Inside we need inside we need to have some enthusiasm for the Lord to be thankful to be grateful to be enthused about what he’s going to do in us and to our church and through his people be enthused about that which is to come set or minds on things above amen Amen.