Zeal for God's knowledge

Introduction: Today we turn our attention to a profound truth expressed by the Apostle Paul in Romans 10:2. He observes the fervent zeal of the Israelites towards God, but he also highlights a crucial deficiency: their zeal is not accompanied by the knowledge necessary for salvation. This passage invites us to reflect on the nature of our own faith and the importance of knowledge in our relational journey with God.

Romans 10:2 “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.”

1.    The Nature of Zeal: Zeal can be an admirable trait—it's about passion, enthusiasm, and commitment. Many of us may have experienced moments of zealous devotion. Perhaps we have been excited to serve in our church, to evangelize, or to engage in worship. However, zeal alone, if not rooted in understanding, can lead us astray. Paul's reference underscores that while zeal is commendable, it must be directed by truth.

2.    The Danger of Misguided Zeal: The Israelites had a deep passion for God, but they misunderstood His ways. Paul notes that their zeal was based on their traditions and interpretations rather than the true revelation of God. This is a cautionary tale for us all. Sometimes, we can be so passionate about our practices, our rituals, or our interpretations of Scripture that we miss the very heart of what God desires from us. Misguided zeal can lead to legalism, hypocrisy, and division within the church.

3.    The problem with our churches now days is that we have developed a victim based theology:

a.    Ohhh! The devil made me do it theology

b.    It is not my fault theology

c.    Because of what they did to me theology

d.    Theology that suggested that everything that is wrong with our lives causeed by someone else

What we must recognize that sometimes the worst thing in our lives is us!

-       We do not have the zeal that understand that our salvation comes from Jesus

-       We don’t understand how God’s Grace works in our lives

-       We don’t have zeal for God to keep the breastplate of righteousness on at all time.

-       We don’t have the zeal to total trust God

-       We don’t pray, we don’t read our bible, we continue to use, we continue to engage in sinful relationships

-       We continue to come to chapel or church expecting words from a sinner  like me and think that life will be better this week.

-       What do you expect?

-       “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result.”

-       What I am asking you here: are you ready to get in and stay in the word of God

-       Know understand that your situation don’t change the word but the word change your situation

 

4.    The Call for Knowledge: Paul emphasizes the necessity of knowledge that aligns with God’s will. Knowledge here transcends mere intellectual understanding; it involves a relational and experiential aspect of knowing God. It means immersing ourselves in Scripture, being open to the Holy Spirit's leading, and seeking wisdom through prayer and community. True knowledge of God shapes our zeal, directing it toward love, grace, and truth. Knowledge of God is to have a personal relationship and let Jesus live out in us as it is no longer ourselves but Jesus in us.

5.    Balancing Zeal and Knowledge: How do we cultivate a passionate faith tempered with understanding? It begins with humility—a willingness to learn and grow. We can ask ourselves:

• Are we engaging with God's Word daily?
• Are we part of a community that challenges and helps us grow in understanding?
• Are we open to correction from God and fellow believers? Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.
• Are we humbling ourselves to serve God and also our neighbors? 1 Peter 4:10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

By actively seeking a deeper understanding, we can ensure that our zeal for God is informed and genuine.

Conclusion: As we close, let us reflect on our own spiritual journeys.

-       Are we embodying a zeal for God that is rooted in knowledge and understanding?

-       Are we embodying a zeal for God’s knowledge that can change our situation

-       Are we embodying a zeal for God’s knowledge to follow Jesus that will not turn back

-       Are we embodying a zeal of God’s knowledge to take up our cross and follow him

-       Are we embodying a zeal for God’s knowledge to devotionally read the scripture daily  

Here’s the Practical’s, Set yourself Goals:

1.    Goal Setting: Pray and dedicate yourself to the will of God: Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Your Goal MUST embodied these values:

Setting SMART Goals:

a.    Specific: Define your goals clearly and precisely.

b.    Measurable: Set goals that can be tracked and measured.

c.    Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic and attainable.

d.    Relevant: Make sure your goals align with your overall objectives.

e.    Time-Bound: Set deadlines for achieving your goals

 

Your Goal MUST embodied these values:

f.     Serving Others: God's will often involves serving others, loving them, and showing compassion, as seen in various passages in the Bible. 

g.   Giving Your Time and Talents: Dedication can involve using your gifts and skills to serve God and His people. 

h.   Living a Life of Integrity: Walking in obedience to God's word and seeking to live a life that honors Him. 

i.      Praying for God's Will: Asking God to reveal His will for your life and to guide your decisions. 

j.      Trusting in God's Timing: Understanding that God reveals His will gradually and trusting in His plan for your life. 

2.    Create Layers of focus:

a.    Focus on the Immediate needs

                                              i.     Food & Shelter

b.    Focus on the long-term Stability

                                              i.     Employment & upskills

c.    Focus on the road to success

                                              i.     Career   

                                             ii.     Give back

3.    Eliminate Distraction:

a.    Proverb 4:25 ⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. ²⁶ Give careful thought to the^[a] paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. ²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

May we aspire to be believers who not only love God with passion but also know Him deeply. Let us commit to seeking truth, embracing both our zeal and our need for God’s knowledge, so that we may grow closer to the heart of God.

Let us pray for wisdom and understanding as we seek to serve Him passionately and accurately. Amen.

 

Scripture noted: Isaiah 59:17; Romans 12:11; Titus 2:14; Galatians 4:18; Galatians 6:1-2; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Proverbs 27:17; Roman 14:12;

Inspiring Short Stories

 

Self Appraisal

One winter morning, a little boy came across a telephone booth. He found a carton nearby to climb on so he could reach the phone and make a call. A nearby observer curiously listened to the boy’s conversation.

The little boy spoke into the phone, “Madam, I am poor, can you give me the job of cutting in your grass?”

The woman on the other end of the phone line replied, “Sorry, I already have someone who cuts my lawn.”

The little boy offered to cut her lawn for half the price of what she is paying now.

The woman replied, “I’m already satisfied with the person who cuts my lawn. He is doing a good job.”

With perseverance, the little boy said, “Madam, I’ll even sweep your sidewalk, so you will have the prettiest lawn on the block.”

The woman declined.

When the call was over, the observer walked over to the boy and said, “Son… I like your attitude and your positive spirit and would like to offer you a job.”

The boy politely declined.

The man said, “But you were pleading for a job when you were talking to the lady on the phone.”

The little boy replied, “No Sir, I was just checking my performance at the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to.”

 

The Moral

This inspiring story encourages seeking feedback to prepare oneself to work constructively on self-improvement. This feedback will help you take corrective action before trouble arises.

 

 

The Baby Camel and His Mother

 

Once there was a baby camel who lived with her mother. She asked her mom one day, “Why do camels have humps?”

The mother camel smiled and replied, “As desert animals, we need to store water so we can survive for long periods of time without drinking.” The baby camel thought for a moment and then asked, “Okay, why are our legs long and we have large, round, soft feet?”

The mother replied, “Our long legs keep our bodies further away from the hot ground and our large soft feet prevent us from sinking into the sand. This way we can move around the desert better than anyone else can!”

The baby camel then asked, “Mom, why do we have long eyelashes?”

The mother camel responded, “Your long thick eyelashes protect your eyes from the desert sand when it blows in the wind.”

The baby replied, “I see. So the hump is to store water when we are in the desert, the legs are for walking through the desert and these eyelashes protect my eyes from the desert.”

The mom agreed.

Confused, the baby camel asked, “If God has given us so many talents to live in deserts, then why are we in the Zoo?”

 

This left the mother speechless.

The Moral

The story of the baby camel teaches the importance of living and working in an environment where you can best use your natural strengths. Your skills, knowledge, talents, abilities and experiences are only beneficial if you are in the right place where you can use them appropriately.

 

You cannot grow or excel in an environment that limits your potential. This story can help teach children the importance of finding their strengths and passions and using them in ways that are beneficial.

 

A Group of Frogs

 

A group of frogs was traveling through a forest looking for a pond. While on their journey, two frogs fall into a deep hole. As they are trying to escape, the other frogs gather around and proclaim how impossible it will be to escape.

The two frogs pay no attention to the other frogs and keep trying to jump out of the hole. Eventually, one of the frogs gives up, but the other keeps jumping as hard as it can.

After a big struggle, the frog makes it out of the hole alive. Surprised, the other frogs asked how it managed to make it out of the hole even though they were telling him to give up. The frog explained that it is deaf and he had just assumed that everyone was cheering him on.

 

The Moral

People’s words can make a big impact on our attitude and behavior. It is important to ignore naysayers in life and focus on the positive support you have around you.

The Egg, Potato, and Coffee Bean

 

One day, a little boy named James was crying to his father about all of his problems in life. James’s father patiently listened and then brought over a bowl with a potato, an egg, and some coffee beans in it.

He asked James to touch and feel the ingredients in the bowl, and talk about what they felt like. James described how each ingredient felt.

His father then smiled and asked James to put them all in different bowls and pour water on them. His father then let each bowl boil for a few minutes. Once cooled, James’s father asked him to touch the ingredients once again and feel the egg, potato, and coffee beans.

James described them differently this time. He said the potato’s skin was easy to peel, the egg had hardened, and there was a fresh coffee smell coming from the beans. Listening to James, his father smiled and told him how the potato, egg, and coffee beans each reacted to an adverse situation differently.

The potato became soft, the egg turned strong, and the coffee beans changed their form completely during their time in the boiling water.

 

The Moral

We will all face adversity and problems in life. What is important is how we react to those problems and how we let them change us. It is important to be strong during tough times and to learn to be resilient in the face of adversity.

 

A Butterfly’s Struggle

One day, a man sees a butterfly trying to emerge from its cocoon. As he watches the butterfly struggle to get out, he decides to help the butterfly by using scissors to cut the cocoon until it’s completely open.

The butterfly is then able to easily escape; however, it came out with a swollen body and undeveloped wings. The man watched as the butterfly struggled to fly or even just crawl around.

While he had tried to do a good deed for the butterfly, he realized he ended up hurting its chances of living a healthy life.

The Moral

Some struggles are important to go through in life because they shape us into strong people.

Nature designed the butterfly’s body to go through a struggle before it can fly.

The Value of Money

 

On the first day of school, a teacher holds up a $100 bill and asks his class who wants it.

Everyone raised their hand excitedly at the prospect of receiving the money. The teacher then says, “I will give this money to someone here, but first, let me do this…”

He takes the bill and crumples it up in his hands, and then asks, “Who still wants it?”

The students’ hands stay up.

The teacher then drops the bill on the floor, steps on it, and grinds it into the ground. He picks it back up. “Does anyone want it now?” he asks again.

The hands stay up.

“Class, It didn’t matter what I did to this $100 bill, you still wanted it because its value stayed the same. Even with its creases and dirtiness, it’s still worth $100.”

He continued to explain, “There will be similar times in your life when you’re dropped, crushed, and worn down. But no matter what happens, you never lose your value.”

 

The Moral

Life’s hardships are inevitable and we’ll all be put through the ringer at some point, often through no fault of our own.

Don’t let these challenges alter your feelings of self-worth. You’ll always have something unique and special to give and offer the world.

 

The Two Wolves

An old Indian chief sat down to teach his grandson about life.

“There’s a fight going on inside me,” he tells the boy, “a fight between two wolves.”

“One wolf is evil. It’s full of spite, hatred, cruelty, self-pity, and false pride. The other is good. It’s full of unity, love, joy, harmony, and humility.”

The grandson pondered this for a moment before asking, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?”

The old man smiled and replied, “The one you feed.”

The Moral

Good and evil exist within each of us. But it is our responsibility to do what we can to nurture the good. You can always be more positive in life and at work, which will replace any negativity and make your life more joyful.

 

 Big Dreams

Mary is a shy little girl who enjoys playing soccer. Her friends and classmates make fun of Mary for her love of soccer, but she is determined to pursue her passion and become a successful soccer player.

Every day after school, Mary finishes her homework and then practices soccer. Her mom supports her because she understands Mary’s love for the sport.

When Mary tries out for the soccer team at school, her classmates mock her again. But they are shocked when Mary performs well and the judges select her to be the captain of the team.

Mary never heard another negative comment from a classmate, because her commitment and hard work paid off.

The Moral

Determination, commitment, strong will, and focus can help you achieve your biggest goals, even if other people don’t have faith in you. Focus is a very powerful thing to maintain and it is worth it to try to increase your focus.

 

Life Is a Race

 

Once there was a boy who was a very good runner who lived in a small village. He was very competitive and winning meant everything to the boy.

One day, that boy participated in a running competition where the entire village cheered him and two other little boys throughout the race. The boy took the winning stride and came in first. The crowd cheered and the little boy felt proud and important.

However, there was one wise man in the crowd who remained calm and expressed no sentiment.

A second race was called with two new challengers who came forward to run against the little boy. Sure enough, the little boy finished first once again.

Again, the crowd was ecstatic, but the wise man remained still and calm, expressing no sentiment. The little boy was proud of himself again and pleaded for another race.

Seeing this, the wise old man presented the little boy with two new challengers–one was a frail, elderly lady, and the other was a blind man.

The little boy was confused. “This isn’t hard!”, he exclaimed.

The old wise man replied, “Then race!”

The boy was the only competitor to finish the race, leaving the other two challengers standing at the starting line.

The little boy was ecstatic, but to his surprise, no one from the crowd was cheering this time.

The boy asked, “What happened? Why are they not celebrating my success?”

The wise old man replied, “Race again!! But this time, you all must finish together.”

The little boy approached the starting line and stood between the frail old lady and the blind man. When the race began, he took both the challengers by the hand and started to walk slowly to the finishing line, crossing it with the other two competitors.

This time at the end of the race the crowd was delighted and cheered for the runners. The wise old man smiled, gently nodding his head.

The little boy felt proud but wanted to know why the crowd only cheered when the team finished the race together. He asked the old man, “Who is the crowd cheering for? Which one of us three?”

The wise old man replied softly, “In this race, you have won more than in any race you have ever run before, as you have won people’s respect. The crowd is not cheering for one winner. They’re cheering to show you respect for how you ran.”

 

The Moral

Is winning the only measurement of your success? If you always win, soon people will stop cheering for you.

Looking at your life, you should ask, “Who is running next to me in this race? If it wasn’t a fair match, did I help others succeed? Did we all finish together?”

It is not always important if you win; what’s important is how you run the race.