You Decide | I am Enthusiastic
Friday, July 17th 2020
I am enthusiastic when I remember that God’s already won!
1 Corinthians 15:56-58 NLT
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Enthusiasm comes from the Greek word: enthousiasmos
I am enthusiastic when I remember that God’s already won!
1 Samuel 17:45-46 NLT
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!
When enthusiasm fills my heart I run to serve God!
1 Samuel 17:48-49,51 NLT
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground…Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.
When apathy and complacency fill my heart I stay to serve my comfort!
2 Samuel 11:1-2 NLT
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.
Psalm 51:10,12 NLT
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me…
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey yo
Sin is the thing that makes death so scary to us, because we fear what judgment we will get for our sinfulness in death. The law, which says that the penalty of sin is death is what gives sin that power to make us fearful!
So, Paul then says, but because of Jesus and his paying the penalty for our sin, not only is the power of sin broken, but the punishment for our sin is removed, and our fear of death can be overcome…all because of Jesus! (1 Corinthians 15:56-58)
So, instead of walking around worried about everything, intimidated by everyone, fearful of how things are going to turn out, remember that Jesus has already won!
So be strong, don’t back down, and enthusiastically live for God! Then he ends it with- oh by the way, don’t forget, that nothing you do for God is ever wasted, useless, or pointless. Everything you do for God makes a difference!
Paul gives us this passionate plea about how we as Christians are supposed to live and he uses a word that is often absent in most churches, enthusiasm
Enthusiasm comes from the Greek word enthousiasmos. Which was used as a negative, derogatory slam. Calling the person possessed by and/or inspired by a god. Or a religious fanatic!
But Paul says own that term. Be empowered by it. Because when you are filled with God you have the access to the power of God.
When we remember that God has already won, fear might still be present but we run to serve God in what He has called us to. (1 Samuel 17:45-46, 1 Samuel 17:48-49,51)
However, the opposite is true. When we allow ourselves to be filled is apathy and complacency we no longer run to serve God but instead stay to serve our own comfort. (2 Samuel 11:1-2)
David’s apathy and complacency opened up the door to disobedience by not leading his men. Then a wandering eye that caused him to lust, and then commit adultery. Which lead to an attempted cover up, then him assassinating Bathsheba’s husband, who also happened to be part of David’s personal security team. And as a result of his sinfulness the baby that Bathsheba conceived during their affair died, his own family rebelled against him, he even had one of his sons attempt to overthrow him!
All because instead of running to serve God, he stayed to serve himself! He became comfortable instead of committed!
So what do you do if you find yourself in the same place as David? Lukewarm, apathetic, complacent…Humbly approach God and ask him to light that fire again, to stoke the passion, to ignite your enthusiasm!