A Passionate Heart

One of the leaders in our church was sharing with me about a business book he was reading and the fact that it was filled with references to passion. Passion is a reoccuring theme in many books and lectures and teaching that have to do with success in the marketplace and in church life. It is passion that presses through when there is so much noise and calamity. Passion is the essential difference in both the secular and religious. When I think of passion, I first think of the Passion Week - the selfless trip Jesus made to the cross where He was passionate about you and me and providing us with salvation. The cross is all about passion and so should those who follow Jesus.

After Jesus was crucified and resurrected, in Acts 2, the power of God was poured out on the apostles and Peter preached the first gospel sermon!
To catch my points below, take a read of Acts 2:38-42.
Before the cross: church and kingdom were regarded as future. After the cross: they are regarded as present. In the rest of Acts the church carries out the will and instructions of Jesus with incredible passion. Their passion should be a model for us as LFC continues to grow and reach out to our community. We who have been at LFC for any length of time have a responsibility of assisting people with our church story – to know who and what LFC is passionate about and not just by hearing it but seeing it lived out before their eyes.

A danger we face is to do what the NT Christians did, but not be who the NT Christians were. We can follow the form of the church, without allowing God to transform us into the passionate people that we see in the early church. One of the elements that gave the church its influential power was passion. I must confess at how irritated I get over the things that people are passionate about. I know people who with passion, will spend time, money and energy on things but not have any room to be passionate about God. There are people who will spend 100’s of dollars on a ticket for a show or concert or sporting event, but won’t give 5 bucks for Hurricane Relief or World Missions.

THE PATTERN OF PASSION
The church models passion in their heart for worship. (2:42, 46-47). We should hunger to honor God in worship. When they met together they did not do so only to ‘get something out of it’. They ‘got something out of it’ because they came to give something to it. Whenever they gathered, they thought of the gift they could bring and the gift they could become. A smile, a prayer, a blessing, some love to share.
They were passionate for people (2:44-45). From the first they cared intensely for each other. They were willing to sacrifice for others and provide help in tangible ways. This kind of giving does not come from obligation, but from a passionate heart. Acts 4:32, 34-35. They could give with cheer and joy since their hearts were passionate about why they were giving and who they were giving too.

They had a passion for unity (4:32a). They were devoted to getting along. I know people who love to stir up trouble between people. But a passionate church is filled with people who are not passionate about always having their way or being right – but passionate about people and the fact that they matter to God. They are passionate about keeping the faith ‘in the spirit of unity.’ They are passionate about healthy relationships and do not allow unhealthiness to go underground and fester. They took the prayer of Jesus, in regards to unity, seriously (John 17:20-21).

They understood that how they treated one another made an impact on the community around them. A unified, loving, caring church would convince the world that the gospel was real. They chose not to be offended and see the ceasing of the miraculous… they had no room for bickering.

They were passionate for the lost.
You see, until Jesus means everything to us, He cannot mean anything to those around us.
In Acts 3 Peter and John go to the temple and preach to the lost. Acts 5:42. Even when persecuted they continued to preach! Sharing our faith, finding new and creative ways to preach the gospel, enhancements to our facilities (pray for us as we revise current plans and seek to find additional ways to accommodate our growth with current and future needs for space) must become our burning passion and over-riding goal to win the lost. In our community at work, school, play or wherever – we should be sharing the message because we are passionate and passion manifests itself as care. It wasn’t just the pastors or staff who were sharing the gospel. It is vital that every church member take on the burden of sharing the gospel. Acts 8:4.

A church in San Rafael, the BayMarin Community Church has as one of its values the following statement:
Passionate FaithWe believe the life of faith is an adventure, and we refuse to let it sink to the level of rules and regulations. We will be passionate in our pursuit of Christ -- relying on him passionately, serving him passionately, and seeking him passionately.

This is an incredible statement of value - I will write more about this in next week’s weekly update on the LFC website But in the meantime here are some things to consider:

• Are you passionate about God and His church?
  
• In what areas have you lost your passion?
  
• Are you allowing God to show you where you can give and serve? Does God have access to your schedule?
  
• Are you passionate about worship, the bible, prayer and caring for others in small group relationships (like Life Transformation Groups) or on servant teams?
  
• Are you passionate about the lost coming to know Jesus?
  

Let me know your thoughts by replying - thank you!