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You Need to Get Enthusiastic
2 Corinthians 9:2
"For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many."
When Paul talked about the church of Corinth, he pointed out the zeal of this church. He pointed out that the zeal, or enthusiasm, of this church excited others when he said, "...your zeal hath provoked very many." If you attended a service at this church, you would have noticed their excitement during the services. The services of this church were not like a funeral service, but they were exciting. Their services were so exciting that when people came to church it caused them to get excited as well.
One of the weaknesses I have noticed about our present day churches is the lack of enthusiasm during the services. The average church service has no fervor during the congregational singing. The average church service has no "Amen's" during the preaching time. When you attend the average church today, there is no excitement.
However, you can go to any college sports game and see the enthusiasm in their stadiums. When you watch sporting events on television, you will see the fans are very enthusiastic about a ballgame that has no impact anyone's life. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching sporting events, but it is a crying shame when people are more enthusiastic about sporting events than they are about the work of the LORD.
Christian, there is nothing spiritual about being a dead Christian. There are Christian colleges that discourage their students from being enthusiastic during the preaching services. When Paul was speaking to this church at Corinth, he commended them for their zeal. When you read about Heaven, you will find that there is excitement about God and His truths. For anyone to think that no "Amen's" or excitement in the church services is a sign of Christian maturity is simply false. If anything, not having enthusiasm is a sign of a backslidden heart.
Moreover, when you are enthusiastic about the LORD's work, it will cause others to become enthusiastic. Notice that the zeal of this church "provoked very many." Likewise, if you would get enthusiastic about the LORD's work, you would be surprised how others will want to be involved with that work. One of the reasons we are losing the youth in Christianity is because of the lack of enthusiasm in church services. Youth want no part of something that is dead. Now, this is no excuse to leave the church, but it is a fact that youth want to be part of something enthusiastic. If you will start becoming enthusiastic about serving the LORD and the preaching of the Word of God, you will find that it will begin to spread to others.
If you are going to get an infectious zeal for God, then you must believe in what you are doing. You will never be enthusiastic about the LORD's work if you don't wholeheartedly believe in what you are doing. You must believe that the LORD's way of life is the best way of life. You must believe that the truths of the Word of God will change lives. You must also get rid of sin if you want to have a true zeal for the LORD. Sin and worldliness will always dampen your excitement for the LORD.
Let me ask you, does anybody want to serve the LORD because of your zeal? Has your zeal provoked anyone else? When you fall in love with the LORD and His work, you will find enthusiasm will come with it. I beg you, don't let others curb your enthusiasm for God. Don't let their dead Christianity kill yours. Get enthusiastic about the preaching of God's Word and what you are doing for the LORD, and you will find that your enthusiasm will spread to others.