| How to Build and
Maintain a Spiritual Fire for the Lord -A. We recently noted that Titus 2
forms a bridge between God’s grace and the zeal of God’s people.B. Zeal is
defined as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or
objective.”C. In the Bible, zeal (zelos) is presented as a burning
desire to please and glorify God.D. Our question is a very practical one:
How? How do we build and maintain a spiritual fire for the Lord?I.
Significant Instances of Fire in the BibleA. Exo 24:17 – “The appearance
of the of the LORD was like a devouring fire.”B. Num 11:1 – “[The
LORD’s] anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among
them.”C. Song of Solomon 8:6 – “[Jealousy’s] flashes are flashes of
fire, the very flame of the LORD.”D. Luke 24:32 – IIDid not our burn
within us while he talked to us on the road?”E. Heb 12:29- IIForourGod
is a consuming fire.”II. Why Does a Spiritual Fire Even Matter?A. For
thousands of years, fire has provided two vital blessings for mankind:1. (1
John 1:5-6; 2 Cor 4:4-6; CoI1:13-14; Psa 119:105; 1 John 1:7).2. (John 18:18;
Matt 24:10-12; Rev 2:4).B. In the absence of these blessings, we find
ourselves walking in the footsteps of Ephesians 2:12.III. How to Build and
Maintain a Spiritual Fire in Your Heart for the LordA. For a fire to ignite,
three elements are needed: heat, fuel, and oxygen .. B. In the same way, zeal
depends upon bringing together:1. – the right source of heat (Rom 5:6-8).2.
Christ-like – the right kind of fuel (2 Cor 5:14-15).a. Courage – without it,
zeal becomes paralyzed.b. Energy – without it, zeal becomes worthless.c.
Purity – without it, zeal becomes hypocritical.d. Diligence – without it,
zeal becomes disappointing.e. Wisdom – without it, zeal becomes deadly.f.
Loving service – without it, zeal becomes selfish.3. Walking by the – the
right kind of atmosphere (Ga/5:16-26; Heb 10:23-25).C. Bring those three
elements together and zeal ignites. To what effect?1. is produced! (Matt
5:14-16a)2. The of kingdom impact is felt! (1 Thes 1:6-8)3. God is ! (Matt
5:16b)D. Remove any of those elements and zeal diminishes. |
