Rev. David Holwick  ZH
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
October 3, 1993
                                                           Acts 19:23-32
                         
                           GET ALL EXCITED


  I. Religious enthusiasm.
      A. "Enthusiasm" literally means having God inside you.
          1) Religion makes people different.
          2) This is not always a good thing.

          Ervil LeBaron was very religious.
             He grew up Mormon and accepted many of their teachings.
          In time he split with the Mormon church, gathered a polygamous
             cult around him and declared himself God.
          One Mormon teaching he accepted is called "blood atonement."
             It means sinners should shed their blood to save their souls.
             (Partial reason why Utah sometimes executes by firing squad.)

          LeBaron added his own twist to blood atonement - traitors and
             children who did not obey him would be killed.
          Most victims were the leaders of rival polygamist sects.
             He also executed 2 brothers, 3 wives and a daughter.
          LeBaron ended up in prison and died in 1981, but his religious
             influence did not end.
          Six murders were ordered by him before he died.
             He called the death list the "Book of New Covenants."
          Since then, several of the murders have been carried out.
                                                                     #49

      B. Dedication to what you believe in is important, but there has
            to be more.

      C. Without a firm grounding in the truth, religious enthusiasm
            can be more destructive than helpful.

 II. Genuine Christianity brings about change.
      A. Jesus motivates people to turn their lives around.
          1) Ephesians were into occult, but believers repented.  19:19
          2) Thousands of dollars worth of material burned.
          3) Idols shunned, probably due to Paul's preaching.     19:26
          4) Even non-believers were stunned at the power of Jesus.

      B. The mark of a spiritual church remains its impact on people.
          1) Multitude of programs can mask spiritual emptiness.
          2) Key questions:
              a) Are people being saved?
              b) Is there evidence of repentance?
              c) Is selfishness being replaced by love and concern?

III. Change can be disturbing.
      A. Those who don't change, react.
          1) The Ephesians were worried about the potential loss of pride.
              a) They worshipped a lumpy meteorite which reminded them
                    of their fertility goddess.                   19:35
              b) Her temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world.
          2) But note that Paul was not attacking Artemis.       (19:37)
              a) He provided a positive alternative.
          3) Change bothers those around you.
              a) They are threatened because they want to stay the same.
              b) Young Christians often face a dilemma - by moving closer
                    to Jesus, they will drift from their old friends.
              c) If your old friends are an evil influence, start paddling.

      B. An outside challenge can reveal our real motivations.
          1) The Ephesians were more concerned about money than God.  19:25
              a) Money is important in religious faith.
                  1> Paul was always appealing for it.
                  2> Money represents time and effort.
              b) But money can become all-consuming.
                  1> Money is the real religion of the silversmiths.  19:25
                  2> It must be the means to an end, or it will corrupt.
          2) Paul's challenge was countered with raw emotion.
              a) When in doubt, shout.

 IV. The place of emotions.
      A. Emotions are God's gift to us.
          1) They are part of what it means to be human.
          2) To have no emotions is to be a machine.     (psychopaths)

      B. Emotions are an important part of faith.
          1) When we become saved, our emotions are transformed just as
                our mind is.
          2) Emphasis in Bible on joy.
          3) King David got so excited he danced before the Lord (nearly)
                naked.
          4) Jesus himself was zealous - and it did him in.      John 2:17

      C. It is a drawback to be too rational.
          1) Baptists emphasize knowledge too much, to guard against
                over-emotionalism.
          2) Four-Spiritual-Laws error.                   #796
              a) Emotions the caboose?
              b) Better to see them as coal car, and "works" as caboose.
          3) Spirituality is more than being good at Bible drills.

      D. When God is at work, people get excited.
          1) Early Christians were well-known for their joy.
          2) They were happy even when persecuted.
          3) Real faith is something you can feel.

             In 1985 the Los Angeles Times ran a human-interest story.
             It happened a few days after the disastrous earthquake in
                Mexico City.
             A little Japanese-American boy was going door-to-door in
                Los Angeles selling picture postcards for 25› each.
             He was giving the profits for earthquake relief.

             One man bought some post cards from the little boy, and then
                asked the boy how much he hoped to raise.
             The youngster answered quickly, "One million dollars!"
             The man smiled and said, "Do you mean to tell me that you
                are trying to raise a million dollars to help the
                      earthquake victims all by yourself?"
             "Oh no, sir," replied the boy, "my little brother is helping
                 me!"
                                                                     #865
  V. Ignorant zeal or excited faith?
      A. Everyone wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
          1) Mass Nazi rallies at Nuremburg.

      B. Emotions can be manipulated.
          1) Note that many in the rally weren't quite sure why they
                were there.                                       19:32
          2) Emotionalism is suspect.  (fraud evangelists)

      C. Be excited, but know what you believe.


***************************   Notes  ***************************

  I. Christianity should be enthusiastic.
      A. Zeal for God's house tripped up Jesus.            John 2:17
      B. Paul zealous for God as a Pharisee.       Acts 22:3, Gal 1:14
          1) Zeal shown by persecution of church.          Phil 3:6
      C. Jews were zealous, but not based on knowledge.    Rom 10:2
      D. Never be lacking in zeal.                         Rom 12:11
      E. Human-oriented zeal to convert.                   Gal 4:17
      F. Zeal is good:  if consistent, and for good reason.  Gal 4:18


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