Text: Acts 22:3
What Is Zeal?
- “Eagerness & ardent interest in pursuit of something” (Merriam Webster)
- If we are zealous for something — we will make it a priority, it will affect our actions, we will speak about it, we will hold fast our convictions
Zeal Alone is Not Enough
- Zeal for God was one thing Paul had in common with the Jews (Acts 22:3)
- Yet they were his enemies (Acts 21:27-32; 22:22)
- Both were zealous for God, yet were on opposite sides of this conflict — Why?
Must Have Zeal According to Knowledge
- The Jews’ zeal was not according to knowledge (Romans 10:1-4)
- Example of Paul (Philippians 3:6) — zeal demonstrated in persecution of the church
- Many today have a zeal for God that is not in accordance with knowledge
Being Zealous for the Things of God
- Starts with knowledge (Ephesians 5:17)
- Zeal for God’s house (John 2:17) — today this is the church (1 Timothy 3:15)
- Zealous for good works (Titus 2:14)
If We Are Zealous for the Things of God…
- We will make them a priority (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:2)
- It will affect our actions (John 14:15)
- We will speak about it (Jeremiah 20:9)
- We will hold fast our convictions (2 Timothy 1:13)
- God will be with us (1 Peter 3:13-14; 4:19)
Read the article: Having a Zeal for God
