Losing Your Soul Matt. 16:26

Losing Your Faith Luke 22:32

Losing Your Courage 2 Cor. 4:1

Losing Your Influence Matt. 5:13-16

Losing Your Zeal Rev. 2:4-5

Revelation 2:4–5 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Could diminish and be lost Losing Your Zeal Possible that One’s Zeal Enthusiasm Passion Fire Could diminish and be lost

Losing Your Zeal The Nature Rev. 2:4-5

The Nature What is Zeal? Zeal from Zelos Strong’s: “properly, heat, i.e. (figuratively) ‘zeal’ (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy…” Thayer: “excitement of mind, ardor, fervor of spirit” From root zeo: Strong’s: “to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), i.e. (figuratively) be fervid (earnest)” Thayer: “to boil with heat, be hot…metaphorically, used of ‘boiling’ anger, love, zeal for what is good or bad, etc.”

The Nature What is Zeal? Zeal from Zelos Opposite of Apathy Literally without (a) feeling (pathos) Indifference toward what should excite Absence or suppression of passion, emotion or excitement Lukewarm (Rev. 3:14-16) Love of some will wax cold (Matt. 24:11-12)

Which of these describes The Nature What is Zeal? Zeal from Zelos Opposite of Apathy Zeal is a burning desire to please God Far more than raw enthusiasm Focus is on longevity -vs- an outburst Which of these describes YOU?

The Nature What is Zeal? The Difference it Makes Creates desire 1 Cor. 14:12 2 Tim. 1:17 – diligently (KJV) – zealously (NKJV)

The Nature What is Zeal? The Difference it Makes Creates desire Produces action Such action as goes beyond what others do John 2:17 - 2 Cor. 7:11

The Nature What is Zeal? The Difference it Makes Creates desire Produces action Enriches worship Glad to go to house of Lord (Psa. 122:1) Put life & energy into praise (Col. 3:23) Pray with zeal (Col. 4:13) Singing with excitement (Psa. 95:1-ff) Giving liberally (Exo. 35; 36:4-7)

The Nature What is Zeal? The Difference it Makes Creates desire Produces action Enriches worship Stirs others to greater service 2 Cor. 9:2 Your zeal, fervent action – make others want to do the same!

The Nature What is Zeal? The Difference it Makes Creates desire Produces action Enriches worship Stirs others to greater service Promotes evangelism Early disciples could not be stopped (Acts 4:20; 31; 5:29-32) Zeal carries the gospel wherever you go (Acts 8:4)

Losing Your Zeal The Nature The Danger Rev. 2:4-5

The Church at Ephesus Revelation 2:4–5 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

The Danger Of Losing It First Love – left behind “Honeymoon is over” – Summers “Loyal but lacking” – Summers “In form, this was still a ‘sound church’ which fended off false doctrine, but the fire had gone out. There is more to serving God than adherence to mechanical, traditional routine” – Harkrider Their fire is gone! Love, enthusiasm, excitement – vanished!

The Danger Of Losing It Can be Lost in Spite of Good Great start & rich history (Acts 19:18-19) Good qualities – still present Works (v. 2) – an active congregation Labor (v. 2, “toil” ASV) – an aggressive group Patience (vv. 2, 3) - a determined church Doctrinally Correct (vv. 2, 6) Cannot bear evil men (v. 2) Exposed false apostles (v. 2) Hated the deeds & doc. of Nic. (vv. 6, 15)

The Danger Of Losing It Can be Lost in Spite of Good If it is Lost About the lose identity If don’t change – remove lampstand (v. 5) Soon – no longer be the “Lord’s church” It is decision time! Can’t stay in the this lull / rut.

Losing Your Zeal The Nature The Danger The Answer Rev. 2:4-5

The Answer Remember (v. 5) Repentance and change is prompted by memory. Remember what you used to be and do! God’s call to repentance appeals to remembrance of better times (Jer. 2:2)

The Answer Remember (v. 5) Repent (v. 5) Change of mind Determine you want to be what you used to be!

The Answer Remember (v. 5) Repent (v. 5) Return (v. 5) Do your first works Do what you used to do before lost your zeal! Fan the flame you have (2 Tim. 1:6)

2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV - Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ESV - For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, NASB - For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands Darby – For which cause I put thee in mind to rekindle the gift of god which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

“Stir Up” - “Fan Into Flame” RWP - “Present active infinitive of anazōpureō, old double compound (ana and zōpuron, live coal, zōos and pur, then the bellows for kindling), to rekindle, to stir into flame, to keep blazing (continuous action, present time), only here in N.T” Thayer - “to kindle up, inflame one’s mind, strength, zeal”

Losing Your Zeal The Nature The Danger The Answer The Result Rev. 2:4-5

When Change Takes Place The Result When Change Takes Place (2 Cor. 7:6-12) Paul tells of joy of the report Titus brought Background: 1 Corinthian letter Was a hard / severe letter (2 Cor. 10:10) Rebuked the church for several problems Fornication & lack of discipline (1 Cor. 5) Reaction Did withdraw (2 Cor. 2) He repented (2 Cor. 2)

When Change Takes Place The Result When Change Takes Place (2 Cor. 7:6-12) Paul tells of joy of the report Titus brought Background: Titus brings a good report Told of how received 1 Corinthian letter (v. 5) Letter produced repentance (vv. 6-12) Repentance produced: (v. 11)

Repentance produced: (v. 11) What diligence – action, prompt What clearing of self – get something out of heart & life What indignation – hatred toward sin What fear – awe, respect / afraid What vehement desire – longing to do right What zeal – enthusiasm, fire What vindication – prove clear of fault

When Change Takes Place The Result When Change Takes Place (2 Cor. 7:6-12) Paul tells of joy of the report Titus brought What Zeal! Church at Corinth – had made a change Concerning two matters – apathetic (without zeal) Fornication Discipline Apathy turned to zeal (2 Cor. 2:6-11) Thus, Paul declares – What Zeal!

Losing Your Zeal The Nature The Danger The Answer The Result Rev. 2:4-5