Luke 24:28–34 (NLT) — 28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! 32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

Revelation 3:21 (NLT) - “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 

We’ve all seen zeal:

1. Athletic zeal 
   1. Fans in the cold rain without shirts on
   2. Get in a plane and fly somewhere
2. Hobby zeal
   1. Golf - Ball-worshippers
3. Consumer zeal
   1. PS5 came out... At 2 am the line was a mile long, most people didn’t get one. 
4. Love zeal
   1. Stay up on the phone for 7 hours
   2. Write a lengthy letter
5. Religious zeal
   1. I’ve been to the city of Jerusalem and seen the people that don’t leave the temple wall
   2. I’ve seen the people who continually live wearing a certain wardrobe, or following a diet, or abstaining from good things in life
6. Zeal defined - great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

God has zeal for us!

1. His love for us is not cold, but it is HOT
2. James 4:5 (ESV) — 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
3. AHA moment - we get the word zealous from the word jealous
4. God longs for your love, your worship, a relationship.

A human problem

1. WE LOSE OUR PASSION ~ for everything! 
   1. Our marriages - an old couple bickering about everything
   2. Our jobs - when we first got it, we were elated, now it’s horrible
   3. Our toys - Christmas toys for kids, but cars for adults
   4. Our hobbies - I just threw away my golf clubs
2. With Christ, we CANNOT lose our passion
   1. Like the 5 foolish virgins that didn’t bring enough oil.
   2. Like the church of ephesus that “lost their first love, and didn’t love Him or others like they did”
   3. We are commanded to ABIDE in Him, and His love! 

How do we regain our love:

Revelation 3:15–21 (NLT) — 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

Passage breakdown:

• You are neither hot nor cold - indifferent! Meh
• Spit you out of my mouth - reference to the water in Laodicea
  • Like lukewarm coffee, who likes it! 
• You say: I’m rich - I’m totally good
• But you are ~ wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked

Steps to returning to zeal

1. Acknowledge your state before God
2. A return to FAITH - Buy gold
   • True riches is a faith that is unshakable
   • Spiritual wealth is measured in faith
   • 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT) — 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
3. A return to GOOD DEEDS - Buy white garments 
   • Garments in the new testament have to do with action
   • In romans it “clothe yourself with the garments of right living”
   • Revelation 19:8 (NLT) — 8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
   • Titus 2:14 (ESV) — 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
4. A return to LIFE IN THE SPIRIT - Buy ointment 
   • Fellowship with the Holy Spirit; relying on the Holy Spirit; walking with the Holy Spirit
   • Acts 9:17 (NLT) — 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
5. A return to FELLOWSHIP - Open the door and share a meal with Christ 
   • Christ wants to reveal his word to you
   • A meal in the Jewish culture was a three hour occasion
     • They snacked for breakfast and lunch, but dinner was an occasion.
   • When you read the Word, it’s not what you’re reading, but who you are reading it with! Jesus explained the Scriptures to them.  
   • I want you to remember what it was like to sit with Jesus when you first were saved

The road to Emmaus

1. They were disappointed and not filled with zeal
2. They invited Jesus in for fellowship and their hearts burned within them

I want to pray that God breathes on embers, that you return to the works you once did