Being a People of Passion Whatever you do

Being a People of Passion “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ” (Colossians 3: 23 -24)

Being a People of Passion

“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. ” ~Jack London

Have you discovered the inner spark provided by the Holy Spirit that ignites you to live out your Godgiven purpose?

• Do you know why you are here on Earth? “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ” (Ephesians 2: 10) • Do you want to know how to make a difference? • Do you want to change your church? • Do you want to change your world?

How Do I Become a Person of Passion? Discern * Discover * Depend * Direct * Duplicate * Demonstrate * Do

1. Discern God’s Presence in Your Life: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ” (Matthew 28: 20) Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Where have I been? See how God has been at work in your life, fulfilling His purposes. 2. Where am I going? Develop a mission statement to clarify your future direction. 3. How will I get there? Ask God to empower you with the resources you need to finish the race. 4. Is He Lord of my life? Surrender to God your future and your dreams so He can help you discover His unique call on your life.

2. Discover the Secret of His Passion: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ” (Matthew 22: 37) Do I love God with all of my being?

3. Depend on His Presence and Power: “I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. ” (Luke 24: 49) Am I calling on Him in prayer?

4. Direct the Focus of His Passion: “Love your neighbor as yourself. ” (Matt. 22: 39) Do I love others the way He did?

5. Duplicate the Power of His Passion: “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. ” (Acts 6: 15) Do those around me know He lives in me?

6. Demonstrate His Passion in Your Actions: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. . And the Lord added to their number daily. ” (Acts 2: 42 -47) Am I actively involved in discipleship, worship, fellowship, service, evangelism, and prayer?

7. Do What He Commanded Us to Do: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. ” (Matthew 28: 1920) Am I involved in making any disciples? Has anyone been added to The Kingdom because of me?

Renewing Your PASSION

What Can Rekindling the Passion Do for My Life?

§ You will discover why God created you. § You will discover how to make an eternal difference. § You will hear one day the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. ” § You will reflect Him. You will do His will. § You will discover the abundant life Jesus came to give.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ” (John 10: 10)

What Can Rekindling the Passion Do for My Church?

§ Your small church will grow as God works through you. § Your big church will reach more lives for Him. § Your struggling church will rediscover its purpose. § Your brand new start-up church will grow strong. § Your church will grasp its God-given purpose. § Your church will be exciting, alive, and on fire for Him!

“Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ” (Acts 2: 43)

What Can Rekindling the Passion Do for My Community and World?

§ We will show others His love. § We will reach more lives for Jesus. § We can give someone eternal hope!

“He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ” (II Peter 3: 9)

We Can Make an Eternal Difference!

How Does My Church Begin to Rekindle the Passion?

Step One: Pray. Seek God’s face. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven. ” (II Chronicles 7: 14)

Step Two: Pledge to God that you will do whatever He asks, even if it means being uncomfortable. “. . . let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ” (Hebrews 12: 1)

Step Three: Pursue the Unchurched. Ask yourself: 1. 2. 3. 4. Who are our neighbors? What’s on their minds? By what means can they be reached? What are their interests? Decide to do what it takes to reach these unchurched.

Step Four: Be a people-oriented church, loving one another. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. ” (John 13: 34 -35)

Step Five: Be a purpose-driven church. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. ” (Matthew 28: 19 -20)

Step Six: Pray! “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field. ” (Matthew 9: 38)

Returning to Our Denominational Roots in Our Passion for People: Souls for Christ—Our Goal

“Souls have been the goal of the church. These have been second only to love for Christ. The church has never been with us an end, but always a means to an end, namely, souls. To this end every department of the church must operate, together with all institutions. Church buildings, schools, departmental organizations, revivals, preaching, budgets, must all be directed to the salvation of souls. Let this conviction deepen, that our one business is to cooperate with God in saving souls. ” ~ General Superintendents’ Quadrennial Address to the 10 th General Assembly

Will you make the difference? Will your church make the difference?