Zeal

Zeal is not a word that we use very much.  However, on this very day as I write, zeal will be on display all day long.  Hopefully, it will culminate tonight about 9:00 as the Kentucky Wildcats will become the first team in college basketball history to win 2,000 games!  This night has all the makings of an early Christmas present for Wildcat fans.

 There is no telling what will happen all day long as people prepare for the big game.  Finals are over so whatever students are still in town can spend an unencumbered day psyching up.  The Erupption Zone just may erupt even before the ball is tipped.  Certainly, that student section will be on high intensity level once the game finally gets going.

And, what will happen after the final horn sounds?  Kentucky ought to win the game and then what?  Can fans rush the hallowed floor of Rupp Arena?  Would the ghosts of coaches past welcome those bold enough to try?  Or, would the men of power present welcome them to leave, possibly to visit a jail cell?

In other words, there is a possibility that zeal just might get out of hand tonight.  I’m sure you know exactly what I am talking about.  How many times have you witnessed celebrations going way too far?  I have seen cars overturned, fires started, and even policemen attacked.  They can say whatever they want, but that is not zeal.  That is a riot!

Paul wrote about his people, the Israelites, and said to them in Romans 10:2, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”  Zeal is not some mindless, free-flowing, ecstatic emotion that must be granted permission to run wherever it desires.  Sure, zeal is an intense emotion.  It wants to run wild through the woods, throwing off constraint.  But, that is riotous living, not zealous living.

To live the life of zeal, one must respect the boundaries of Holy Scripture.  Zeal is controlled by God Almighty.  He will not sanction just whatever anyone offers up under the guise of zeal.  Zeal is the intensity behind our faith and our faith comes from hearing the word (Romans 10:17).

• Remain true to God's Word - 2 Timothy 2:15
• Grow in love and unity - 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
• Find greater joy in praising God - Psalms 117:1-2

If we love one another as a family, and serve each other with the spirit of peace, there are no limits to what we can do for the Lord.

May God bless each of us in His service.

The Elders
Richmond Congregation

Paul Alexander
Owen Barnes
Jack Hall
Joe Koger
John Mathis
Paul Sowards

Sermon Topics

A.M.  Romans 10:1-4

Words to Live by:  Zeal

Zeal is the intensity behind the faith that we put into practice.

P.M.  Hebrews 5:12-14

Speaker:  Austin Johnson