It Will Take Passion
Remember this: NOTHING GREAT HAPPENS WITHOUT PASSION.
Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” In response he summarized the whole Bible in two sentences…
Mark 12:30-31, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. (NIV)
These verses are about passion—not loving in a wimpy way, but loving passionately, all the way. Give it all you’ve got.
Romans 12:11 says, “Never lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor.” Spiritual passion is not automatic. It must be maintained. Today, we will look at 7 passion killer.
1. AN UNCLEAR PURPOSE
Life seems futile without a purpose—why get out of bed?
Isaiah 49:4, I have labored to no purpose. I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. (NIV) Great Purpose = Great Passion
2. AN UNEMPLOYED TALENT
God has given your gifts and talents, and if they are not being utilized, your passion quotient will go down.
1 Corinthians 7:17, Each of you should live his life with the gifts the Lord has given him. (Phillips)
3. AN UNBALANCED SCHEDULE
To be overworked or underworked will caused a decline in passion.
1 Timothy 4:7, Take the time and the trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit.
4. AN UNCONFESSED SIN
Few things rob our joy and steal our passion faster than unconfessed sin. You can’t have enthusiasm and guilt at the same time.
Psalm 38:4-6, My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear…I am bowed down and brought low. (NIV)
5. AN UNRESOLVED CONFLICT
6. AN UNSUPPORTED LIFESTYLE
You lose your passion because of loneliness.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Two are better than one because if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him. (NIV)
7. AN UNDERNOURISHED SPIRIT
At its root, passion is a spiritual issue and if our spirit is ignored, our heart will shrink and grow cold.
Colossians 2:6-7, Just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each days problems: live in vital union with Him. Let our roots grow down deep into Him and draw you nourishment from Him…and become strong and vigorous. (LB)
The greatest sin of a Christian is lukewarmness (Rev. 3:15, 16).
The way to get back on track and restore your passion:
Revelation 2:4-5, You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen.
Repent and do the things you did at the first.
1. Remember— Recall the days of your passion for Jesus.
2. Repent— Reset your priorities.
3. Redo — Renew your spirit.
