Acts 3: 8-10, Acts 4: 3, Acts 3:10-11, Acts 17: 6

Glyn Barrett

Enthusiasm is the missing ingredient in many churches and youth groups. I want to stir you up to a dangerous and contagious level of enthusiasm that will definitely be caught by all who surround you.

In Acts 3 verse 8 we read how a man responds to God as a result of receiving his healing:

'He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them to the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.'

1. Enthusiasm Is For Church On Sunday

The first thing he does in his enthusiasm is take it into church. Notice that, 'he went with them into the temple courts.'

One of the greatest hypocrisies within Christianity today has to be the Christian who jumps around like crazy at a football game or in response to some good news at work, but sits sullenly in church on a Sunday, and rarely breaks into smile. Somehow, the church has become the holding station for 'all things dull and horrible.' Many people in society choose not to go to church on Sunday because the very mention of the word 'CHURCH' is enough to bring mind images of irrelevance, tedium and the smell of mothballs. But in this passage in Acts, enthusiasm went first into church.

Challenge: What do you think you could do to bring more enthusiasm into the life of your church and youth group?

2. Enthusiasm Catches Up With Your Face & The Body

Verse 8 says that he went to church "walking and jumping"

There are many Christians who don't show much "enthusiasm" in their worship or even in their Christian lifestyle. The comment may often be heard, "I am enthusiastic on the inside." If ever a lie was told, that is one! The reality about enthusiasm is that it catches up with your face and your body.

Picture school: you are in class, your teacher is the meanest in the whole school. You are not allowed to mess about in class because your teacher is liable to 'eat you' or some other ghastly thing. So what happens when your friend says something funny and you get the giggles? The more you try to suppress the laughter, the more it flows until you can't help but laugh out loud.

In Acts 3, the man is happy and enthusiastic on the inside and it shows on his face and in his movements. The point is simple: if you are happy on the inside, your face and body reflect it. Enthusiastic church worship is not displayed by solemn faces. There are times to be solemn, but there should always be times of overboard praise and worship.
(N.B. The dictionary defines enthusiasm, 'to rave to go into raptures and to go overboard')

Challenge: Try smiling today to show how great life is with God!

3. Enthusiasm Is The True Response Of A Worshipper

Verse 9 says "When all the people saw him walking and praising God."