Zealous Faith
ZEALOUS FAITH
Text: Hebrews 11.35-38
Introduction:
A. Religi n that thrives is promoted by zealous faith.
1. T' is the case whether the religion is true or false.
2. In ed, cultists often manifest greater zeal than many pre ent-day Christians.
B. To be ealous is to promote a cause to the point of perso sacrifice.
C. One be zealous for a wrong cause.
1. Th revolutionaries, or guerilla bands, that often te orize people and nations.
2. Pr sently, the terrorists of some of the Middle East co tries come to mind.
D. Our h ro for this study is the Apostle Paul.
PAUL W ZEALOUS IN THE JEWS' RELIGION.
A. He en ouraged the stoning of Stephen, Acts 7:58; 8:1.
B. Hem 8:3.
C. He sai to do Naz
D. He w injuri
II. AFTERHI CHRIST.
A. He be an to preach Christ immediately after his conve ion, Acts 9:20,29.
B. Antioc sent him out as a missionary, Acts 13:1-3.
C. He ze ously sought the salvation of his own people, Rom s 10:1; 9:1-3.
D. To Ki Agrippa, he said, "I was not disobedient to the he venly vision," Acts 26:19.
III. PAUL WA ZEALOUS FOR THE FAITH WHEREVER HE WENT
A. He w the first to carry the gospel to the continent . of Eu pe, Acts 16:12.
1. Th re he was beaten and jailed, Acts 16:22-24.
2. Bu he won his jailor to Christ, Acts 16:30-34.
I. e havoc of the church in Jerusalem, Acts , "I verily thought with myself, that I ought any things contrary to the name of Jesus of th," Acts 26:9. , "A blasphemer, and a persecutor, and s," I Timothy 1:12-14.
CONVERSION, PAUL WASZEALOUS FOR
- 86 -
B. e preached to the idolaters about the od," Acts 17:22-31.
C. He proclai ed Christ to Felix, but the governor would wait for "Aconvenient season; Acts 24:25.
D. He present d the claims of Christ so forcefully that King Agrip a was "almost persuaded" to become a Christian, cts 26:28.
IV. PAUL WASZ OUS FOR THE FAITH IN SPITE OF PERSECUTIO
A. The Jews ought to slay him in Damascus, Acts 9:29.
B. He was sto ed at Lystra, Acts 14:19.
C.· He was ublicly whipped and then jailed in Philippi, A· ts 16:23.
D. He was sh pwrecked, and snake bitten on Malta, Acts 28:3-5
E. A brief ummary in Paul's own words, n Corinthi 11:24-27.
V. PAUL WAS OUS FOR THE FAITH TO THE END.
A. He spoke f his gratitude to God for salvation, I Timothy 1:12.
B. He condu ted his life by the grace of God, I Corinthi s 15:10.
C. He comple ed the divine assignment, nTimothy 4:6- 8.
D. Surely he ould say with the psalmist, "Myzeal hath consumed e [worn me out, or used me up]," Psalm 119:139.
VI. PAUL'S Z FAITH ENABLED IllM TO ANTICIPATE HEAVENLYREWARD.
A. To the Phi ippians, he wrote:
1. "For t me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," Philippi s 1:21.
2. He des ed to be with Christ, "Whichis far better," Philipp s 1:23.
B. To Timot ,he wrote:
1. "Henceorth there is laid up for me a crown of righteo ness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall gi e me at that day," II Timothy 4:8.
2. And," nto all them also that love his appearing," II Timoth 4:8.
- 87 -
Conclusion:
A. Paul ad no regrets, and made no apologies, for being ealous for the faith, nor do any who are truly edicated to serving Christ.
B. Faith I Christ provided Paul grace to live by, and grace die by.
