Historical Posts
Matthew 09:37-38 Are You Motivated To Work As God’s Servant? – Audio
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Text: Matthew 9:37-38 (Reading by Steven Winland)
Introduction
- The word motive denotes that which influences, prompts, propels, pushes, or induces a specific action. It causes you to move in a direction, so you can receive a specific outcome. I like to describe it as the fire that gets under you to move you to action, or in God’s service. (exp) What will motivate you into service for God, because there’s plenty of work to do – Matthew 9:35-38?
- A servant or steward is a person that takes care of things that belongs to another (God owns everything – Psalms 24:1). A servant has responsibility to make sure the owner’s goods are well taken care of. This responsibility makes the servant accountable to the master, of the goods. The servant would receive a reward or punishment depending on how well he took care of the owner’s goods (Romans 14:12). This is why being motivated to serve God is important. To be motivated you must be excited about it.
- The thing that should excite us into God’s service is the Word of God – Hebrews 4:12. One of the best examples of the Word of God motivating one to a certain action is found in Acts 9:1-6; Acts 22:6-16.
Some Will Need Encouragement to Motivate Them to Serve God
- The word encourage, means to inspire with confidence, to urge forward one to start or continue in an action. What will motivate you, to work as a servant of God? People need different types of sources of motivation to get them going in the right direction. It was a little maid of the land of Israel that motivated Naaman to go to Elisha to be healed of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:2-9). Again it was one of Naaman’s servants that encouraged him to dip seven times in the Jordan river to be healed, instead of going away in a rage an being not healed (2 Kings 5:10-14). Sometimes it takes many encouragements to get us moving because we may be stubborn or lazy.
- When the Word of God is preached, it is for the express purpose of encouraging you and moving you to righteous actions – 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Consider the things we could do for the kingdom if we were motivated to do so!
- How many times have you been ready to quit, but someone encouraged you to continue on? Was not Elijah the prophet encouraged by God to continue on when he thought he was by himself alone serving God – (1 Kings 19:9-10, 15-18).
(Read the Story of Two Frogs)
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?” The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
Servants of God Must Be Motivated to Remain Faithful
- A key component, in being motivated to remain faithful, is to make sure your zeal for God, doesn’t grow cold – Galatians 5:7. Whenever the excitement for serving God diminishes you need to be careful because Satan will be near to turn you away from God – (1 Peter 5:8-9). That’s why it is important to focus on doing the Lord’s work. Remember what happened to Peter when he was walking on water and lost his focus off Jesus – Matthew 14:27-31.
- In 1 Corinthians 4:2, the Word of God, gives a requirement to those whom would be His servants/steward. It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
♦ What type of servant will the lord make ruler over his household? Matthew 24:45-47.
♦ There is also a warning to those servants whom fail to do his master will – Matthew 24:48-51.
- Therefore, let us not be lazy or slothful in doing the work of the Lord. Let us not make excuses. You and I have talents, so let us be motivated, to do the Lord’s work, because the fields are already white ready to be harvested – John 4:35-36.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.
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Church Growth
People may not have expected it, but God provided church growth when they were scattered.
“…they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).
One cannot help but admire the dedication of early Christians. Everywhere they went they preached, and where they preached they were persecuted. Yet, there was church growth as they continued to uphold Christ before the world.
Our circumstances are not nearly so difficult, yet our efforts are often meager in comparison. Perhaps it is because we lack the dedication, determination, and diligence which so often characterized first century Christians.
Their dedication is seen throughout Luke’s history of the church in Acts, from the first account of persecution in chapter 4 to the close of the book. Their faith was unshakable. They would gladly forfeit their freedom (Acts 4:1-3), their wealth (Acts 4:36-37), and even their lives (Acts 7:59) for Jesus.
Their determination was such that no matter what, they preached Christ crucified. When told not to preach anymore in his name, Peter and John responded, “We cannot help but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Those who fled from Jerusalem because of persecution “went everywhere preaching the word.” The story of Jesus could not be censored. Early Christians were determined to tell others of Him and church growth resulted as the lost came to Christ.
And, they were diligent. Theirs was not a once a week religion. “Daily in the temple and in every house they ceased not to preach Jesus” (Acts 5:42), and the church “increased in number daily” (Acts 16:5). Church growth was fast. The church grew and multiplied because early Christians worked diligently.
Yes, it takes dedication, determination and diligence to do the Lord’s work. But, God promises success to those who are willing to give it everything they have. Are you working for Him? Are you a child of His?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Renewing Our Zeal
Thanks to Johnny O. Trail from the Sycamore Chapel Church of Christ for the content of this post.
Our zeal for Christ and His church should be seen.
It is easy for the people of God to become discouraged and lose their focus at times, lose their zeal. Scripture encourages Christians to maintain their zeal for serving God. Titus 2:11-15 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
We are to be “zealous for good works” as laborers in God’s vineyard. Zealous is defined as “ardently active, devoted, or diligent; full of, characterized by, or due to zeal.” Suffice it to say that we are to be “ardently active” in doing good things for the benefit of the kingdom of God. This being the case, there are several areas wherein we need to renew our zeal.
One area that the church seems to lack enthusiasm for is personal evangelism. God wants Christians to be zealous for winning souls to Christ. I Peter 2:9-10 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
All Christians are part of the “royal priesthood.” That is, we are intercessors on behalf of God to people who are outside of Christ. There is no such thing as a clergy and laity class in the church. All the people of God are priests who are expected to teach their fellow man about Jesus. Thus, we need to realize that God expects every single one of us to be teaching alien sinners about Jesus and have zeal in doing so.
The great commission was not just for the twelve apostles. God expects every one of His disciples to be working at converting people to Christ. John 4:35 says, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” Without reapers working with zeal, the harvest will turn to rot and ruin.
Christians need to renew their zeal for restoring erring Christians. Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Many congregations of the Lord’s people could increase attendance significantly if they were able to restore those who simply dropped out of service in the church. That being said, there must be an effort that is made to demonstrate that we are concerned about people who have become apostate.
God’s people need to renew their zeal for church attendance. We receive so many blessings from assembling with the saints in the presence of God. It is a tremendous source of encouragement to be around people who are in accord regarding their service toward God. In reality, we need to be present for every service of the church. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
As the aforementioned passage states, assembling allow us to “stir up one another to love and good works.” In congregational settings, we are made privy to situations with brethren and people in our communities who might need benevolent assistance. Sometimes we become aware of things that were previously unknown regarding our own brethren. A group of likeminded people with zeal can accomplish much good. Everybody needs a good “stirring up” ever once and a while.
We are admonished in scripture to be zealous for good works. As representatives of Christ, we must allow our enthusiasm, our zeal, for Christ and His church to be seen by those around us. If we show no passion and zeal for our Christianity, the world around us might very well assume that our devotion is hollow in its final summation.
Johnny O. Trail preaches at the Sycamore Chapel Church of Christ
2699 Old Clarksville Pike
Ashland City, TN 37015
615-746-8624
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Romans 10:01-10 – Is Your Zeal of God According to Knowledge? audio
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Scripture Reading: Numbers 25:1-13 KJV
Lesson Text: Romans 10:1-10
Introduction
A. If you are a Christian, you are happy, upbeat, enthusiastic, and excited because God has smiled on you and freed you from the bondage and penalty of sin through the blood of Jesus – John 8:31-32.
(1) It does not make a difference what predicament you find yourself in, you always need to rejoice in the Lord – Philippians 4:4.
B. For this reason Christians are enthusiastic about all the cause and initiatives of God and His statutes and commandments.
(1) We are most willing to defend the gospel and warn sinners about the destruction that will come to the children of disobedience.
(2) We need men and women to be zealous for God like John the baptizer, when he told King Herod it is not lawful for you to have your brother wife – Mark 6:18.
C. Zeal is defined as: Enthusiastic, diligent devotion in pursuit of a cause, ideal, or goal.
Body
I. Your Zeal for God Must Be According to Knowledge – Romans 10:1-3.
A. Before Paul became a Christian he was zealous of the traditions of the fathers – Galatians 1:14.
(1) This is why he persecuted the church – Acts 8:3.
(2) But his zeal was not according to knowledge, until he was taught correctly and baptized – Acts 22:16.
B. Your zeal for God must be motivated by the purity of the Word – Psalm 119:140.
(1) There is a great importance in valuing what God has said because without His Words we would not exist – Acts 17:28.
(2) The Word of God is more valuable than anything you can imagine.
(3) You need to be receptive and ready obey God – Psalm 19:7-11.
C. Anything in your life, in your household, and even in the church that is not in compliance with God should be removed as Jesus Christ was zealous and drove out those that were defiling the temple – John 2:13-17.
D. Your zeal for God and His Word should motivate and strengthen you to stand up for God and His ways – Jeremiah 6:16.
(1) Once you know God’s Word you must stand on it and defend it.
a. Daniel purpose in his heart not to defile himself with the kings meat – Daniel 1:8.
b. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego took a stand and would not bow down to the kings image that he had made – Daniel 3:16-18.
c. We too must stand on the Word of God – Ephesians 6:10-11.
II. They Have a Zeal for God, But Not According to Knowledge.
A. There are people in the world and in the church that appear on the surface of having a zeal of God – 1 John 4:1.
(1) But if you look closer, examine, test, and prove many – 1 Thessalonians 5:21. You will discover their zeal of God is not according to the Word of God. From these people we need to warn, rebuke, and turn away from.
B. Those who have a zeal for God, not according to knowledge, may do an excellent job of deceiving and making you think they’re holy and righteous on the outside, but on the inside they are full of evil – Matthew 15:7-9; Matthew 23:25-28.
Conclusion
A. Jesus Christ warns us to be aware of false prophets that come to us with sheep’s clothing on the outside, but wolves on the inside.
B. Jesus tells us we will know them by their fruits – Matthew 7:15-23.
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John 02:13-17 – Zeal for God – audio
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Text: John 2:13-17 (Reading by Don Treadway) and Mark 11:15-17
Introduction
As the Passover Feast drew near, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem. What He found caused Him to be angry! Instead of people reading the Law and praying, they were selling oxen, sheep, and doves! Thus, they made His Father’s house a “den of thieves.”
He quickly turned the tables on them, and drove them out. His disciples then remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” Jesus was obviously passionate about His Father’s house. They were not using it for its intended purpose!
All of His life, Jesus helped ensure God’s business was done properly in His own house. As He was growing up, He reminded His earthly parents that He must be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49). Where was He? He was in the same place, same time of year, but just a little earlier in life. He was then listening and asking questions regarding the Law. He knew what its purpose was! It was also His custom to read in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16).
Body
I. David’s zeal.
A. The disciples remember what David wrote in Psalm 69:9:
“Because zeal for Your house has eaten Me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.”
1) Just as Jesus was passionate about working in His Father’s house, David was passionate about sin and its effect on his relationship with God.
2) Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), and David longed to be back in His presence.
3) Later God would send Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, which Jesus would point out to the Jews that questioned Him regarding His actions in the temple (John 2:18-22).
4) Jesus had a zeal for the physical and spiritual well-being of God’s people; do we?
B. In Psalm 122:1, David said:
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.’”
1) Later in Psalm 122:9 he added, “Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek Your good.”
2) He had a zeal to be where God is; therefore, he wanted to do all he could for Him.
3) Are we the same way? Do we long to assemble with the saints on the first day of the week to worship God? Do we look forward to our midweek Bible study? Do we share that zeal with others and invite them? Do we proclaim the gospel of Christ?
II. The Psalmist’s zeal. Psalm 119:139-141:
“My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words. Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.”
A. Do we have the same zeal for the Word of God?
1) Do we read and study it as we should?
2) Do we teach it to others?
3) Do we live it every day?
III. Zeal for God’s temple.
A. King David wanted to build a house for God, but could not for he was a man of war and had shed blood (I Chronicles 22:8; 28:3).
B. Therefore, he assembled the people together and gave them instructions.
1) Solomon helped build it.
2) Everyone worked diligently. T
3) They all gave what they had zealously for God (1 Chronicles 29:1-6).
C. Do we do that today?
1) Are the elders zealously overseeing the Lord’s church (1 Peter 5:2)?
2) Are we as Christians giving zealously to God (2 Corinthians 9:7-13; 8:2-7)?
IV. Zeal for God’s tabernacle.
A. God’s message through Moses stirred the hearts of the Israelites. Many were willing to bring what they had (materials, skills, etc.) to aid in the construction of the tabernacle.
B. Do we have a zealous heart for God?
1) We should give our entire selves to the Lord (Romans 12:1) every day!
2) If we have a great zeal, it must also have knowledge (Romans 10:2).
3) If we do not have knowledge yet, God can supply it as He did to Paul (Acts 23:1).
Conclusion
A. Do we have a zeal for God?
B. Are we willing to carry on His will in our lives?
C. Others did, and so can we!
Content by Richard Dillon
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