WEEK 1: You’re already pleasing God; more! 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Week 2: You already have joy; more! Philippians 1:26 TODAY: You already have zeal; more! 2 Corinthians 8:17, 22

Zeal: great energy or enthusiasm for something.

For Titus not only welcomed our appeal (to come visit you), but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 2 Corinthians 8:17 In addition, we are sending (you) Titus who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 2 Corinthians 8:22

Zeal: great energy or enthusiasm for something. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal (to come visit you), but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 2 Corinthians 8:17 In addition, we are sending (you) Titus who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 2 Corinthians 8:22 1)Zeal moves things from a “have to” to a “want to.”

Zeal: great energy or enthusiasm for something. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal (to come visit you), but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 2 Corinthians 8:17 In addition, we are sending (you) Titus who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 2 Corinthians 8:22 1)Zeal moves things from a “have to” to a “want to.” 2)Zeal increases our commitment to “stay the course.”

1)Zeal: great energy or enthusiasm for something. 2)Benefits of zeal: it moves things from the “have to” category to the “want to” category It gives us fortitude to stay the course 3)Soooo….how do we get (more) zeal?!

1)We can only a capacity to be zealous about a few things. No one can have energy and enthusiasm for every good thing.

2)God has specific things He wants you to do – and He will give you the zeal to do those things. God created us in Christ Jesus (He saved us) to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16

1)We can only a capacity to be zealous about a few things. No one can have energy and enthusiasm for every good thing. 2)God has specific things He wants you to do – and He will give you the zeal to do those things. 3)Our greatest impact will come through those things we are zealous about.

Our mission: First MB Church exists to lead as many people as possible into a growing relationship with Christ. Values: Real people who admit our brokenness Real faith as we boldly follow Jesus and live out His teaching Real impact by representing Christ wherever we are Our Strategy/Goals/Plan: (Short –term goals, long-terms goals, goals for a specific ministry, etc.)

So, how do we get zeal?! Ask God to give you zeal for one or two or three things. Experiment. Try new things. God will show you! God has specific things He wants you to do – and He will give you the zeal to do those things. Your greatest impact will come through those things you are zealous about.