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Follow With Zeal

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Follow With Zeal

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Follow With Zeal

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Have a real zeal for God, His laws, and His people.

Transcript

Well, good afternoon. Good Sabbath to you all. I'm used to saying 'good morning' in Tulsa. It's good to be here. I had an uneventful trip; it's good to come up here, I enjoy it, seeing all these friendly faces here. How many of you remember "The Chariots of Fire" movie? Have you ever seen that? It doesn't look like any have. It's one of my favorite movies, probably in the top ten. It's about a couple of gold medal athletes from the 1924 Olympics; one was Harold Abrahams, a Jewish guy who won the gold medal in the 100 and Eric Liddel who won the gold medal in the 400 meter and he was called the 'flying Scotsman'. It's a two part thing because it's a story about the Olympics and stories before that and about hard work, about winning; but more about Eric Liddel because he was the most popular athlete Scotland had ever produced …according to public voting for the first inductees into the "Scottish Sports Hall of Fame" in 2002. Two years in a row, from 1924 to 1925 he not only won the Olympics; he won the 100, 220 and 440 in the Scottish Amateur Athletics Union. Nobody had ever done that. The real story is that of his faith and zeal for God and believing that he should keep Sunday as the Sabbath to God; he would not run or participate in any athletic events on Sunday. He had to withdraw from the 100-meter dash in the Olympics in 1924, his best event; and wouldn't run in the four by 400 meter relay because he would not run in the semi-final qualifications on Sunday. I looked this up in the Encyclopedia to see if the movie was true and it was true. These are actual events that happened. He was so important to the team that in the Olympics the British four by 400 Relay team came in third to the Americans, of course the Americans used to win all the time. That was one reason the British made this story "The Chariots of Fire", because Harold Abrahams won the 100 and Liddel won the 400 and beat the Americans in those events. After the Olympics, they had an international meet where Liddel did run in the four by 400 meter relay team and they were so good that instead of getting third, they actually beat the American team, that's how good he was. He was used as a poster boy because of his convictions and zeal for what he thought were God's ways. He was used to preach all over Scotland, Britain and other places even at the Olympics. He was always holding some kind of prayer meeting or something.

The year after the 1924 Olympics and after the 1925 international meet, he went to China as a missionary and he was there for twenty years, until 1945 where he died at the age of 43 from an inoperable brain tumor. He only returned home two times in those twenty years. At one point he was asked if he ever regretted leaving behind the fame and glory of athletics. Liddel responded, "It is natural for a chap to think over all that sometimes, but I'm glad I'm engaged in the work I am now. A fellas life counts far more at this than the other." He felt his calling, his preaching about Jesus Christ, was more important than athletics; which is a wonderful example for us. Now, he was misguided, but he was very sincere in what he believed and what he taught. I just imagine a person like that in the world tomorrow will be excited about God's truth, the real truth that will be given to all people.

Paul talks about this kind of zeal. Romans 10:1-5 "Brethren my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved." Verse 2 "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." This is what this man had; he had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. But he did apply what he thought was the Sabbath day and he wouldn't run, he wouldn't do things… he wouldn't work on it, he wouldn't do a lot of things, he wouldn't go about his normal business. Verse 3" For they being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." Verse 4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes." In other words, He shows how to live the law. Verse 5 "For Moses writes about the righteousness which of the law, the man who does these things shall live by them." We should have zeal, but we should do it by God's law, we should live by them and put them foremost in our lives.

That's what I want to talk about today. Just as Eric Liddel did it on a physical plane and somewhat spiritual plane, we need to do it on a physical and spiritual plane. The weak and the base are called. We don't have a natural zeal for God or for the righteous things; we are to be zealous for God, though. That's what my SPS is "we are to be zealous for God", but we will have to do it through God's Spirit and God's power that He gives us to do it and develop it.

Let's see what God says to the Laodicean Church. I know most of us probably know these scriptures, but it's really important what God says to Laodicea. These are Christ's very own words. Rev. 3:14-18 "And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things say the Amen, the faithful, and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:' Verse 15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I could wish that you were cold or hot." Verse 16 "So then because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth." Verse 17 "Because you have said, "I am rich and have become wealthy and have need of nothing," and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, blind, and naked," He is saying that sometime we get the attitude that we just go to church and we know it's God's Sabbath and Holy Days and understand… but He is saying you need to be zealous, you need to be hardworking in God's way, you need to put it first above all things. That's what He is saying here. Verse 18 "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in fire, that you may be rich, and white garments that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness be not revealed; anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." Verse 19 "As many as I love I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent." We are to be zealous for God's way; don't take it for granted; don't be nonchalant about it. Lukewarm can mean nonchalant, taking it for granted… not really studying or praying or fasting, not doing the things we need to do… seeking God with all our hearts and minds and souls. We need to learn from these instructions given to the Laodicean church that is neither hot nor cold but lukewarm… something God does not like. Jesus Christ set the ultimate example to be zealous. His whole life was about God, God's way, about God's people, about showing how to live. Totally, right down the line, He kept God's law in every way; but He totally had the love and compassion that you are supposed to have to live by those laws… how you love God, how you treat people, how you love other people, how you live, how you are forgiving and have a balanced way of life. He even says to forgive your enemies. That's a tremendous thing if you think about how Christ set the example.

John 2:13-17 "Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." Verse 14 "Then He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business." Verse 15 "When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple with the sheep and oxen; and poured out the moneychangers money, and overturned their tables;" Verse 16 "and He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of merchandising."" Verse 17 "Then his disciples remembered that it was written, 'ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE HAS EATEN ME UP'. He went and cleared out the temple; this was early in his ministry. We are the temple of God, too. We are to clear our houses out and leave room for God in there and put God in there. He said not to make his Father's temple a house of merchandise; we also need to have a clean temple ourselves… a temple full of God's Spirit. This first time Christ threw the moneychangers out is kind of like the Days of Unleavened Bread… you come out of sin. The first part of his ministry, right before Passover, He threw the moneychangers out, meaning to put sin out and put righteousness in.

Another example of when Christ threw the moneychangers out is in Matthew 21:12-14 (This is right before the last Passover right before He was sacrificed. He is doing the same thing which means you don't put sin out just when you first become converted and start your life out as a Christian, you do it at the end of your life, too. You do it forever. That is also pointed out as we follow the Days of Unleavened Bread, that we put sin completely out and keep it out. Christ set that example here and He set the example of having zeal for God.) Matt. 21:12-14 "Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables and the seats of those who sold doves." Verse 13 "And He said to them, "It is written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER', but you have made it a den of thieves."' Verse 14 "Then the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and He healed them." He did three things here: He had zeal, He talked about coming before God and making God's house clean; He respected God and had zeal for God and honored Him. He taught and lived God's law based on the Ten Commandments and in a strong and absolute way He loved compassion. He was compassionate to God's people. He had a zeal for God's people. He was compassionate and caring for all people; He treated them with kindness and respect, even those who opposed him when He put them in their place. Here He healed people because He loved them. The blind and lame came to the temple and He healed them. That's what Christ set: the perfect example of having a zeal for God, for his ways, for his laws, for his people. We need to do the same thing.

David was a man after God's own heart. Acts 13:22 "And when He had removed him, he raised up for them David as king of whom He also gave testament, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart who will do all my will.'" Now, David did make some mistakes, but overall he sought God's will. When he did make mistakes, he really repented. That is seeking God's will because we all have human nature. We all have to battle this human nature until the day we die. If you don't believe so, read what Paul said. He said, 'My spirit wants to do what's right, but my flesh wants to fight that.' We have to realize that. I learned that lesson recently in talking to people who give care giving for hospice. They said they see a lot of people whose spirit is willing to die and go away, but their flesh fights it. It's true our flesh fights our spirit. We need to realize that and that's why we need that zeal, the Spirit of God to fight against our human nature and against our bodies that want to do wrong. Read the Psalms and how David talks about God and how he loves him and how he loves his law and how he doesn't want him to take his Spirit from him. There are just so many tremendous words of encouragement in Psalms. Psalm 69:9 "Zeal for your house has eaten me up," David was very zealous for God's ways. I know we all know this story, but another lesson we can learn out of this story is about David's zeal for God and that David's life was full of zeal. He showed it continually; one of the most notable times is when he met and slayed the giant, Goliath. David had gone to bring supplies to his older brothers in the army, where they had been confronted by Goliath, a nine-foot giant who was armored from head to toe. Have you seen the knights on movies and TV where they have all this metal armor? He had a shield, he had a spear, and he had a sword. I mean he was decked out. He was taunting Saul and the army of Israel about sending someone to meet him and the winner takes all. I've been to Israel and I've stood on that hill. There are a couple of hills with a creek and a valley between them. I imagine neither army wanted to go down into the valley to challenge the other because it would put them at a disadvantage. So, here Goliath challenges them to send someone against him and if he wins, Israel has to surrender and be the Philistine's slaves; but if Goliath were beat, the Philistines would surrender and be Israel's slaves. I've also picked up round smooth stones in that brook where David did. To see something like that is quite inspiring; it makes the Bible come to life, when you really see the place this happened.

David was a keeper of sheep for Saul; it's amazing how God works things out. David was working for Saul because Saul had lost God's Spirit and the spirit of Satan was bothering him a lot. One of his subordinates said, 'Why don't you get a man who can play the harp, good music, someone good looking, someone who has real courage.' David fit all those things, so he came to play the harp for him and tend his sheep. Then, he was sent out once in a while because three of his brothers were in the army under Saul. He was sent out to take them supplies and so he heard about Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:23 "Then as he (David) talked with them, there was the champion of the Philistines of Gath, Goliath by name coming up from the armies of the Philistines and he spoke according to the same words; and David heard him." Verse 24 "And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man fled from him and were dreadfully afraid." You know, when you sin, you tend to be faithless. These people were not living God's way and they were afraid. What does God say about his Holy Spirit? There's no fear if you have God's Holy Spirit and you're following God. Verse 25 "So, the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And it shall be that the man who kills him, the king will enrich him with great riches and will give him his daughter and his father's house exemption from taxes in Israel."" Verse 26 "Then David spoke to the men who stood by him saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach of Israel? For who (here's David's zeal) is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"" He had a respect and zeal for God. He asked who this guy is who defies GOD? He didn't like it much did he? Verse 34 "But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock," Verse 35 "I went up after it and struck it and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I caught it by its beard and struck him and killed him." Verse 36 "Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing that he has defied the armies of the living God."' Verse 37 "Moreover David said, "The Lord who delivered me" (David didn't take credit for it, he killed the lion and the bear, but he gives God the credit) "from the paw of a lion and the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and may the Lord be with you."" It's important to read the rest of this. Verse 38 "So Saul clothed David and put a bronze helmet on his head, he also clothed him with a coat of mail." Verse 39 "David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them." So David took them off." It's a good lesson, he hadn't been tested in those physical things like most of the army had and he didn't trust them. He had been tested with God, tested with following God and letting God deliver him; that's Who he had confidence in. He had a real zeal for God and believed God would deliver him, just like God had before. He didn't want those physical things. Verse 40 "Then he took his staff in his hand and he chose for him five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag, the pouch which he had, and the sling was in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistine." Verse 45 "Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied."" Verse 46 "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel," Verse 47 "then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword or spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands."" Verse 48 "So it was when the Philistine rose and came near to meet David, David hurried and ran to meet the army to meet the Philistine." Verse 49 "Then David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead. So, the stone sank into his forehead and he fell on his face to the earth." Now, I used to have a slingshot, but I never could throw one like that. God did that, but it was because David believed God and he had a zeal for God and his ways. He couldn't believe this guy was defying God! This is a wonderful example about how God can take care of anything and He wants to take care of stuff for us; we just have to submit to him and have a relationship with him and have that zeal we're talking about here.

Stephen was a deacon in the early New Testament Church. He was zealous and a person of faith. This is occurring soon after the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out. Acts 6:3 "Therefore, brethren seek out seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." Verse 4 "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word." They were talking about people who could serve others so the ministers could preach more and teach more. Verse 5 "And the saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch," Verse 6 "whom they set before the apostles, and when they prayed, they laid hands on them." In other words, they laid hands on them and ordained them. Verse 7 "Then the word of God spread and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith." Verse 8 "And Stephen, full of faith and power did great wonders and signs among the people." Verse 8 "Then there arose some from what was called the 'Synagogue of the Freedmen', Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia who were disputing with Stephen." Verse 10 "And they were not able to respect the wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke." He was full of God's Spirit and power; he had that real zeal for God and he wasn't afraid to speak up and tell. Stephen was called before the Jewish factions a couple of times and the leaders in Jerusalem for what he had been preaching about Christ is a very zealous way. His preaching was converting many to Christianity and influencing many others. They wanted to make him quit doing it and brought him before them to question him and make him stop in no uncertain terms. Stephen went on to tell them how they and their ancestry had not followed God's laws so were not of God or Abraham's seed; which they really did not like at all. They didn't like him and turned on him. Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you." Verse 52 "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold of the coming of the Just One. The One of whom you have become the betrayers and murderers;" Verse 53 "who have received the law by the direction of angels and not kept it." Verse 54 "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart and they gnashed at him with their teeth." Verse 55 "But he being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Verse 56 "And said, 'Look I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Verse 57 "Then they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and ran at him with one accord." Verse 58 "And they cast him out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul." Verse 59 "And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God saying, 'Lord Jesus receive my spirit." Verse 60 "And he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord do not charge them with this sin' and when he had said this, he fell asleep." He truly had a zeal for God. He wanted people to know about God; he taught about God, he was strong about God's laws and he cared for the people. He actually said forgive these people, he cared for God's people. He also cared for people who were against him and said for God to forgive them… what a wonderful example of zeal for God.

Let's look at several examples of zeal for God, his laws and his people in the New Testament as the rest of the part of this sermon this afternoon. Paul had a zeal against God's ways and was actually there when some converted people, members of the church were killed for it. But he changed to where he became just as zealous or more zealous for God's way. He was willing to give his life; he got beatings; he went to jail; he went to prison; he gave his life for God; he turned out to be more zealous for God than he was against God. 2 Cor. 7:1-7 (This is Paul speaking.) Verse 1 "Therefore having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Verse 2 "Open your hearts to us; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one." Verse 3 "I do not say this to condemn, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together." Verse 4 "Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with comfort, I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulations." Verse 5 "For indeed, when we came to Macedonia our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side, outside were conflicts, inside were fears." Verse 6 "Nevertheless, God who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus;" Verse 7 "and not only this by his coming, but also by the consolation which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more." He was thanking them for having a zeal for him, for God's people and how we encourage one another. Part of our zeal that he is talking about here is that we are encouraged by one another. If you see that someone is doing something and being strong and trying to live the right way, it encourages us to do the same thing. Just as bad people encourage bad things; good people encourage good things. One person can encourage an awful lot.

I remember a story I was told about. If you've ever been to a cave; you can go in a cave and turn out all the lights… I guarantee you it's pitch black, you can't see a thing. You can light one little match and it's amazing, you can see it everywhere. One little light can do a lot of good. Have a zeal for God's work, have a zeal for God's people and show it.

Now, more words from Paul… 2 Cor. 9:1-2 "Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;" Verse 2 "for I know your willingness, of which I boast of you to the Macedonians that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal has stirred up the majority." He was talking to them about their zeal stirring up people. It's very infectious to have a zeal; it's very infectious to stir up other people, very inspiring. We need to be zealous for one another and stir one another up to good works and to God's way.

This is about Epaphras who showed a great zeal for the brethren at Colossae and for others he ministered to. Col. 4:12-13 "Epaphras, who is one of you, and bondservant of Christ, greets you; always laboring for you, fervent in prayers that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." Verse 13 "For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you and for those who are in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis." He had a great zeal for them and showed it. One way he did it was by laboring fervently in prayers. We can all do that; we can all serve one another fervently in prayers and God does answer prayer. He really does, it's in his time, but He really does answer them. I always remember Revelations and God talking about all the prayers of the saints.

Turn to Acts 4, I'm going to take some excerpts out of it about Peter and John preaching Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the dead. The Jewish leaders didn't like it and they put them in jail and brought them before them and threatened them and were trying to make them quit doing it, but they didn't quit. Acts 4:8 "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said to the rulers of the people and the elders of Israel," Verse 9 "If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man by what means he has been made well," Verse 10 "let it be known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-- by Him this man stands here before you all."" The man had been healed and the Jewish leaders didn't like it that Peter was healing people. Verse 11 "This is the STONE REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE." Verse 12 "Nor is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men by whom we must be saved." Verse 13 "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled, and realized that they had been with Jesus." They saw the boldness, they saw the zealousness and they thought they were untrained and uneducated; but what they didn't realize was they were trained and educated by Jesus Christ, by God. That's what we need, to have zeal and be educated by this Bible; through going to church, through reading and studying and praying and fasting. God teaches us that way. They threatened them and wanted to put them in jail, but they said they were going to speak anyhow. The Jewish leaders threatened them some more and then let them go. Verse 18 "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus." Verse 19 "But Peter and John said, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than God, you should judge;"" Verse 20 "we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard," They were saying,' Hey, we've been with Christ; we've seen and heard him; that's what we're going to preach, we're not going to listen to you. You need to judge that as well.' Verse 23 "And being let go, they went to their companions and reported all the chief priests and elders had said to them." Verse 24 "So when they heard that they raised their voices to God in one accord and said, 'Lord, you are God who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them," Verse 25 "who by the mouth of your servant, David has said, "WHY DID THE NATIONS RAGE AND THE PEOPLE PLOT VAIN THINGS?" Verse 26 "THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TAKE THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD, AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST." Verse 27 "For truly against your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together." Verse 28 "To do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done." Verse 29 "Now, Lord look on their threats and grant your servants with all boldness that with all boldness they may speak your word." They are seeking God to have the boldness and to have that zeal. Verse 30 "By stretching out Your hand to heal, that the signs and wonders may be done through the holy name of Thy holy servant Jesus." Verse 31 "And when they had prayed, the place where they had assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." There is more of that boldness that comes from zeal and God's Spirit. They were talking about praying for it and seeking it in the verse before. Verse 32 "Now the multitude who believed were one heart and one soul, neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common." Verse 33 "And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and great grace was upon them all." They were very strong and zealous in the word and zealous in God's ways and for his people and for his laws. These are tremendous examples that we need to think about and put them in our lives; listen to them and pray about them and study and live this way of life… have a zealousness for God.

Eric Liddel had a real zeal for God although misguided, but we can learn from that; we need to have that same zealousness… even more so for God's real way of life. If we look at it, it's a wonderful thing. Matthew 13:44-46 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and for joy over it he goes and sells all he has and buys that field." Verse 45 "Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls," Verse 46 "who when he had found one pearl of great price went and sold all that he had, and bought it." This is the pearl of great price; God has given that to us. He wants us to build a relationship with him; He wants us to obtain that pearl of great price. There's nothing greater that God could offer us or that we could receive than the pearl of great price of becoming a son of God, and be able to go into the world tomorrow and be able to help all this earth receive that pearl of great price. That's what we need to be zealous about. It's a wonderful thing to think about that and put that as our number one goal.

In closing, let's go back to Rev. 3:18, I am going to read the last few words He said to the Laodicean church, because they apply to us and we need to apply them to our lives. Rev. 3:18 "I COUNSEL YOU TO BUY GOLD FROM ME REFINED IN THE FIRE THAT YOU MAY BE RICH, AND WHITE GARMENTS THAT YOU MAY BE CLOTHED, THAT THE SHAME OF YOUR NAKEDNESS MAY NOT BE REVEALED; AND ANOINT YOUR EYES WITH EYESALVE THAT YOU MAY SEE. He is saying buy from me that Holy Spirit, that power, that righteousness I can give you… I counsel you to buy that from me, to seek it from me… I'll give it to you. Verse 19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent." Verse 20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and be with him." He says, 'I am here, I want you to come to Me." He's not just way off somewhere; he's there wanting you to come to him. Verse 21 "TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES, I WILL GRANT TO SIT WITH ME ON MY THRONE, AS I ALSO OVERCAME AND SAT DOWN WITH MY FATHER ON HIS THRONE." Verse 22 "He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Have a real zeal for God, his laws and his people.