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En Theos

[Enthusiasm]

Ps. 122:1

Introduction: Webster’s Dictionary says the meaning of enthusiasm / excitement is "to be stirred or thrilled."  Some would say they have enthusiasm at times, it depends on what they are doing...what they are ‘into’ at the moment.

Enthusiasm comes from 2 Greek words meaning in…God.  “Theos” is where we get the word ‘theology’, the doctrine of God.  So, are you into God?  Is He in you?  If so, you’ll have enthusiasm about it!

Many get excited at ball games or golf or other events. Some will be thrilled at the getting of a new dress or suit, or at the sight of a taco bar!  I believe it is time we got excited over the things that will last for all eternity.

We fight for front seat at concert / sporting event…how about for church?  We ‘hop to’ in telling a joke, or sharing some good news, but how about the gospel?

A.W. Tozer:  “If we evangelicals had one-third the enthusiasm of some of the cults we could take the continent.”

Lk. 14:34  "Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its savour, how shall it be seasoned?"

Charles Schwabb, the American Industrialist who rose from poverty and later formed the US Steel Corporation, said: 'You can succeed at almost anything for which you have unlimited enthusiasm.'

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: 'Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.'

Norman Vincent Peale: 'Years wrinkle the skin, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.'

Henry David Thoreau: 'None are so old as those whom have outlived enthusiasm.'

Verses about enthusiasm:

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might;

Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.  [dozens like this!]

Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

1 Corinthians 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

JESUS CAUSED EXCITEMENT TO HAPPEN

1-His triumphal entry into Jerusalem

Mark 11

And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

2-His birth

Luke 2

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

3-Everywhere He went

The enthusiasm was contagious.

When the Spirit of God indwells you, it will transform you from a lukewarm bump on a log, to a fiery Christian.

THE PEOPLE GOT EXCITED ABOUT JESUS

1-the maniac of Gadara

Mark 5

20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

2-the woman at the well

John 4

28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

3-the blind boy in John 9

17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

4- the lame man at the gate in Acts 3

[asked for alms and got legs!]

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

 

I think it is time we joined these in getting
excited / enthused…be the first to lead in clapping during that song, or shouting glory to a wonderful truth…even if you’re the only one!  Be a thermostat, not a thermometer!  Set the temperature, don’t just register the temp of those around you.

WE SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT BEING SAVED
1-greatest thing that ever happened to me
2-nothing could ever take the place of knowing you have a right standing with the Lord.
3-burden of sin gone-joy and peace, contentment in heart

4-new purpose to live for  [even if no heaven, I’d still want to be a Christian for this life!]

Matt. 10:39

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it

5-can sleep like a baby at night

WE SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT SEEING OTHERS SAVED
1-remember how it felt, when someone you had been praying for finally got saved?
2- we need to be stirred and thrilled about seeing others saved

WE SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT OUR CHURCH
1-Look how the Lord has blessed us [go around room]
2-Look at our buildings he has blessed us with
3-think of where we came from and where we are now-ought to make us shout "GLORY"

We should be excited about the future!

[don’t be one of the surprised ones, but one of the expecting ones!]

slide:       [“cross our fingers” attitude] We’ll see what happens, could it really be that God is in this?

Ill.-- In some countries you have to watch your P's and Q's. In Mexico, however, when you take a bath or shower, better watch your H's and C's as well. An "H" on the faucet means Helado -- cold. A "C" means caliente -- hot. For the unsuspecting, the result can be a bit surprising. 

        Be Positive!  We all find what we look for!

Phil. 4:8-- Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I Thess. 5:16—rejoice evermore…

Phil. 4:4—Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.

POSITIVE THINKING

Plaque on the wall of Golfer Arnold Palmer's office:

If you think you are beaten, you are.

If you think you dare not, you don't.

If you'd like to win but think you can't,

It's almost certain you won't.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man,

But sooner or later, the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can.

A young psychology student serving in the Army decided to test a theory. Drawing kitchen duty, he was given the job of passing out apricots at the end of the chow line. He asked the first few soldiers that came by, "You don't want any apricots, do you?" Ninety percent said "No." Then he tried the positive approach: "You do want apricots, don't you?" About half answered, "Uh, yeah. I'll take some." Then he tried a third test, based on the fundamental either/or selling technique. This time he asked, "One dish of apricots or two?" And in spite of the fact that soldiers don't like Army apricots, 40 percent took two dishes and 50 percent took one!  [means 90% took some!]

Expectation creates Enthusiasm:

An interesting cartoon shows a fourth-grade boy standing toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose with his teacher. Behind them stares a blackboard covered with math problems the boy hasn't finished. With rare perception the boy says, "I'm not an underachiever, you're an over-expecter!"  

“Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God”

God’s vision for this place goes beyond anything we’ve imagined / experienced in the past / thought possible!

If enthusiasm means “In God”, then we should consider...

Mr 10:27 -

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

        This church’s future is so bright that we should put big sunglasses out front on the steeple!

Ps. 122:1—We should be glad, enthused, excited, when we come into the house of the Lord…if we are, we’ll come more often…we’ll find ourselves wanting to be here more, not just 3 times a week [tho’ it takes 3 to thrive!], but on other days, wanting to do all we can for our God, our church, because of our exciting salvation!

Remember, it’s contagious.  Be a thermostat that sets the temperature, not a thermometer that simply registers the temp around you.