Enthusiasm

There's more to enthusiasm then meets the eye!

Enthusiasm! It's like 180 degrees the opposite direction from meh; whereas meh is lukewarm…enthusiasm is scalding hot!!!  The book I'm reading; The Gospel according to Starbucks talks about how coffee from Starbucks is so experiential that they actually give you a thermal jacket to protect your hands from the scalding hot liquid. This comes out of the fact that McDonalds got sued after a woman's lap was scalded after it spilled on her. They chose then to down the heat, and paid out big bucks in damages and made apologies; whereas Starbucks chose to instead pass out thermal jackets holders and mark their cups with the notice…EXTREMELY HOT!  It's been said that nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm! Enthusiasm has kind of become cliché. It has way more to do with than just the jumping up and down, whooping and hollering kind of thing. There's nothing wrong with getting and being excited, but sometimes it has given enthusiasm a bad reputation; because even the best conditioned person cannot sustain excitement over an extended period of time unless there's something more. Enthusiasm is simply an outward expression of our feelings that we have inside. You don't have to be loud or boisterous, but you do have to have a willingness to show something on the outside that truly lives on the inside. Did you know that originally an enthusiast was a person possessed by a god? Several Protestant sects of the 16th and 17th centuries were called enthusiastic. During the 18th century, popular Methodists such as John Wesley and George Whitefield were accused of blind enthusiasm (or fanaticism). During the years immediately following the Glorious Revolution, "enthusiasm" was a derogatory term that was used for advocating any political or religious cause while in public. The Royal Society bylaws stipulated at that time that any person discussing religion or politics at a Society meeting was to be kicked out for being an "enthusiast." In our time, enthusiasm has obviously lost its religious significance. Enthusiasm now signifies instead a whole-hearted devotion to an ideal, cause, study or pursuit, or what I just spoke about earlier just being visibly excited about what one's doing.There's obviously more to it than that. Enthusiasm goes deeper; it's the energy, the fuel that brings about a visible result.  A famous writer once said that nothing great has ever happened without enthusiasm. If you want to accomplish great things; if you want to realize great goals; if you want to live a great life, then you absolutely must possess enthusiasm for what it is that you believe in and do. The reason it is so important: is that the difference between success and failure is often minute. Two people with virtually the same amount of skills and talents can differ greatly in the amount of success that they achieve; and it lies in their enthusiasm. It's said that enthusiasm changes a dead pan salesman into a producer; a pessimist into an optimist and a loafer into a go getter. Have you ever heard of Kirby vacuum cleaners? If you have never heard of them it's a company that sells vacuums door to door. These vacuums cost about $2,000 and they have been around for about 90 years and have a very interesting business model. They never advertise on T.V., in Newspapers, or anywhere… The only way to purchase a Kirby is from a door to door salesman. There's a saying at Kirby, "people don't buy the Kirby, they buy you". That couldn't be truer. Just like with marketing, or whatever it is that you do, you have to realize that people are first buying you. Paul definitely realized that when it came to people following Jesus… and that is why he wrote in Romans 12:11 never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. He knew that the biggest draw in people accepting Jesus was an enthusiasm that was planted firmly within each of their own hearts. That IF there was this fire burning within their own hearts; a driving force propelling them that people would "buy this message."It's because enthusiasm immediately captures the attention of others it pulls people in; those who are on the fringe of a group come closer and those walking by will be compelled to stop and take a second look. Luke 19:1-6 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax collecting business, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zaccheaus and called him by name. "Zaccheaus!" He said, "Quick, come down, for I must be a guest in your home today!" Zaccheaus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. Zacchaeus had enthusiasm AND JESUS noticed Zaccheaus didn't have a meh attitude – if he did he wouldn't have ran ahead and climb a sycamore tree! Enthusiasm is a magnet… it pulls God to us and it pulls people to us. If we have enthusiasm we should thank God for it and if we don't we should drop to our knees and ask God for it.  Because out of all the things that there is to be enthusiastic about – NOTHING is more exciting than the knowledge of having what He gives us.

·         Eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.

·         That Holy Spirit living inside of us….?? That fire burning within us… maybe what you should pray for is the Holy Spirit to live and be comfortable within your hearts.

·         The bible….what an amazing gift He's given us. He gave us a manual to read on how to live in an alien land and also a personal letter to remind us every day of how much He loves us.

·         When we accept Him as Savior – we become the sons and daughters of God – the one who created the heaven and earth.

·         He knows us by name. (Zacchaeus)

·         He listens to and answers our prayers. We actually communicate with Jesus Himself.

·         He protects us from the danger and harm that the devil wants to throw at us.

·         He provides for us daily.

·         We can expect great things for our lives when He is involved!

Right? Expectation brings enthusiasm! Think about that if that isn't true… a good show that you go to will warm up the crowd and bring expectation of what is to come. It will have upbeat music, warm lighting, and great atmosphere.

What can people expect when they spend time with us as Christians leading them to Jesus?

·         Do we warm them up for the headliner (Jesus)?

·         Are we upbeat? Do we look as if we are forgiven and have a great future OR do we look as if         we are just "holding on and just trying to make it through…?

·         Do we put off good atmosphere?

Remember – just like those Kirby's – they first buy us!

The hostile world that we live in continually tries to squash us… just like it did to the disciples; the people threatened the followers by putting them in jail, beating them, stoning them and killing them. But it didn't work because their energy had a divine source. The Spirit of God lived inside of them. They had enthusiasm!

True followers of Christ will have to have the same things.

They will have enthusiasm to speak.

These disciples spoke – they didn't just sit at a church taking it all in – they were new to all this but they began to show enthusiasm. They truly valued the gift that they were given; they believed in their product and they understood that it's hard to sell something to someone that you yourself don't find value in.

They will have enthusiasm to act.

The world's full of people who can talk the talk – but can't walk the walk.

There are a lot of armchair quarterbacks. Those who know who should have been played in what position on the field and in what quarter. There are those politicians who have never run for office but know just how to run the country.

And there are many Christians who have NEVER gotten off their duffs to try to save anyone but love to tell people just how to do it.

We need to learn some lessons from David on this one…

1 Samuel 17:36 David tells King Saul that he himself a small boy will go and kill the Philistine giant because of the fact that he has defied the armies of the Living God! And then in 41-48 the story continues with – Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy faced boy. "Am I a dog, he roared at David that you come at me with a stick?"  And he cursed David by the names of his gods, "Come over here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals", Goliath yelled. David shouted in reply, "You come to me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty- the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled. Today the Lord will conquer you and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals and the whole world will know that there is a god in Israel. And everyone will know that the Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people. It is his battle not ours. The Lord will give you to us." As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.

David didn't just speak the words but he put them into action.

They will have enthusiasm to tell others.

We talked about speaking… but that doesn't necessarily cover witnessing. It is past time for the people of God to be telling others of what God has done for them. You don't have to make it difficult – just tell them of what God has done to personally change your life.

They will have enthusiasm for His Word.

When you begin to read and fall in love with His word; that's when it really begins to be sold on your face to others.

There is life here, hope here, comfort here, correction, help in all times and joy. And we also get to see that eventually it will all work out; Jesus wins.

They will have enthusiasm to change.

Changing every day and for the long haul and do it daily – think about your choices. Make corrections in your coordinates. A small correction in them might not seem like a big change if you're just crossing the street but when you are on a life journey you'll end up in an entirely different place.

It isn't and doesn't happen on its own. You have to do it. No one can hold your hand! Your family members cannot change you. And remember… what true repentance (change) actually means – it means that you turn 180 degrees from your old decisions which were leading you away from God… true repentance means that you are now going towards HIM.

They will have enthusiasm for prayer.

A person who loves God will want to communicate with Him on a daily basis. They will desire to become closer to Him. Listen to Him. Speak to Him. Cry out to Him. And because their faith is real – they believe and know that He hears their words and hearts.

They will have enthusiasm for the church.

When you realize that God lives in the heart of His true followers – we can see that the church is nothing more than a body of believers. It isn't a building; it isn't made of stone, wood and concrete – its flesh and blood and sinew.

And true believers and followers of God will desire to be among each other, helping each other out, working together to reach others and praising God together.

There will be an expectancy when you come because you've read in His word that when 2 or more of His followers are together – that He is there in their midst.

So do you have enthusiasm?

Do you have enthusiasm for the things that really matter?

Mark Twain: Let us endeavor to live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.

Enthusiasm is a draw to people… it pulls them to you; to those who hunger for God – people will hunger for Him more just by being in your presence. For those who aren't looking for Him – your enthusiasm will most likely make them angry…. BUT I beg of you please MAKE THEM ANGRY!!!!!

So you learned tonight that the word enthusiasm has much more to do about God than you realized. It's changed in our society….Remember what I told you earlier about what the definition today is of enthusiasm … a bunch of jumping up and down, whooping and hollering kind of thing. There are some of those who do a lot of that but they aren't truly doing the things that I just got done telling you. They don't have the enthusiasm to do the things that God desires.

Vince Lombardi: If you aren't fired with enthusiasm; you will be fired with enthusiasm. This leads me to:

Matthew 7:21-23 not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as Lord, but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they OBEY my Father in Heaven. On Judgment Day many will tell me, Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name, but I will reply – I never knew you. God away; the things you did were unauthorized.

I think it's going to take real enthusiasm!