Pastor A

Simon never had a problem getting excited about things. He was called a “zealot” meaning a Jew full of passion, enthusiasm and activity. Simon’s problem was one of direction. His energies were being channeled in the wrong way. But when he yielded to the Master, Jesus Christ, the rebel became a soldier of the Cross. The fiery patriot became a dedicated disciple. Simon’s hatred of social corruption was turned into hatred of moral corruption, sin.

His natural strengths and energies, when placed under the total control of Christ, were changed into channels of spiritual power. He hated sin with the same intensity he had hated corrupt government. He was as dedicated and loyal to his new Master as he had been to the Zealots. He abandoned himself totally to the cause of Christ, just as he had done for the cause of patriotism.

When you as a Christian allow Jesus Christ to master your abilities and enthusiasms, loving Him and His will above all else, you will begin to taste the same kind of spiritual victory and power in your life that Simon the Zealot knew in his. The choice really is yours and yours alone to make.

Galatians 2:20, ‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.“

They called themselves the Zealots and the name fit them well. This feisty little band of men somehow got the idea that they could take on the entire Roman army. Many of them died trying, but the Empire shook when they fell. Their lives burned with devotion to a cause they believed to be just.

One of these Zealots was called by Jesus to be one of the Twelve. His name was Simon, and the fiery passion which already gripped his heart was remarkably transformed. God changed his dreams for social change into an exciting vision for spiritual change. Simon was a “hot” disciple for Christ.

What kind of disciple are you? As you think about the question, consider something God said in Revelation 3:15-16, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.“

This forceful statement is bad news for the majority of professing Christians. Think about it: God says that if you are spiritually lukewarm you make Him vomit!

The church is not really making the impact on the world God intends. America has not experienced widespread revival in more than 100 years. In fact, most Christians do not believe such a spiritual awakening is even possible today. The God of Elijah can bring revival today just as He had done so many times in history. But where are the Elijahs of God? Where are the Christians who will become torches burning with the fire of the Holy Spirit? Will you be one? Will you do what Simon did?

Simon became a soldier for Jesus Christ. He had been a soldier of the Zealots, but he exchanged his uniform and weapons to fight in a more important battle. Paul instructed the Ephesians to “put on the whole armor of God.” He explained that Christians are to be real soldiers who fight in a real battle against a real enemy. The objective is spiritual victory.

Nobody likes to lose. It is just not a normal reaction. Neither is it normal to accept a loss complacently; yet the majority of Christians go down to spiritual defeat time after time without realizing it can be different. God wants to give us a victorious, consistent life.

Tomorrow we will look at what is really necessary for spiritual victory to take place in the life of the believer.