QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“When I live out of discipline, I’m admired – When I live out of passion, I’m contagious.” Bill Johnson
MAIN TEXT: v. Acts 4:32 “ All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace (MEGA-GRACE) was so powerfully at work in them all34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
INTRODUCTION: Passion is when you put more energy into something than is required to do it. It is more than just enthusiasm or excitement; passion is ambition that is materialized into action to put as much heart, mind, body and soul into something as is possible.”
The word is often associated with zeal, emotion, or enthusiasm. Yet the word comes from the Latin (pati) meaning “to suffer.”
Years ago, when the movie The Passion of the Christ came out, I finally understood the concept of “passion”—the movie was all about suffering, pain, and agony. It was Jesus’ passion for humanity that got him through the pain.
If you don’t have passion you may lose your place. Not your standing with God but the position he placed you in. Your sphere of influence.
Not only does everyone have a gift, but you also have a position for the gift to be used.
What does the Bible say about talents and gifts?
In 1 Peter 4:10, we’re called to use our gifts to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace. … Those are supernatural abilities God gives each Christ-follower, but the general idea of blessing others also carries over to talents. God doesn’t give us anything just for our own benefit.
If I don’t have a passion to pastor, Pastor Karl will find someone else to fill this position.
If you no longer have a passion at your job, you could get replaced.
You don’t lose your position, you left it~ you abandon it by your lack of passion
REV. 2: 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
PASSION 5 Think about how far you have fallen! Repent[a] (The Greek word for “repent” is metanoia and means more than simply changing one’s mind. It means “to take another mind.” Every believer needs to turn from his or her error and take “another mind,” the mind of Christ.)
and do the works of love you did at first.[b] (That is, “Return to your passion for me that motivated you at the first.”) I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place of influence if you do not repent.
SHOCKER: You don’t pray to get it back-you practice to get it back. I can’t pray to get back on my bike. I get on my bike. If the passion was there in the beginning, it will come back.
Passion will bring you back from the pasture to the palace. Just ask David. Nobody watched him perform in the pasture. But when the position became ready, so was he.
Passion is what happens when nobody is watching. You have to practice your passion until you’re proficient at it. I practice my preaching all throughout the week because it is my passion. If I get a giggle from them I might get a laugh from you. If I can get a non-believer thinking about one point, I might get one from you as well.
Come on! I’m preaching with passion but I can use some participation. I WANT MY PASSION BACK! I am nothing like I used to be.
Repent and DO THE THINGS YOU DID AT FIRST.
TITLE: PLUGGING INTO THE POWER OF PASSION SLIDE Picture
∙ We are told that this congregation was of “one heart and one soul”. That is, they did not live for themselves, but they lived for those around them. These people were lost in the needs of other believers, v. 32, 34-37. And, they were consumed by the needs of the lost around them, v. 33.
The early church possessed a servant’s heart that was just like that of the Lord Jesus,
Phil. 2:3-5.” 3 Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. 4 Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. 5 And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation.”
∙ These people lived out the will of the Savior. While Jesus was here, He said this: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,” John 13:35.
Note: Not just when they agree with your dogma and doctrine
Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions. Bill Johnson
Jesus said that His people would be known for the love they possessed for
other believers around them. He went on to tell us what His will is for the church, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21.
So, when we love one another as we should, and when we walk in unity as we should, it lets the world around us know that our profession of faith is real and that we truly belong to Christ. No other testimony we give preaches so loud and so clear as our love one for another.
∙ We need to plug into the power of love! Not just love that talks. Not just love that says, “I love you.” We need to plug into a love that acts,
1 John 3:18. “18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Rather than telling someone, “Jesus Loves you” It’s the right message but the wrong method in these times. Try, “I have been praying for you” “God gave me a word for you if you’re interested.”
We must plug into a love that puts others ahead of self. We must plug into His kind of love; without that kind of love, everything we do is in vain, 1 Cor. 13:1-3. “ If I were to speak with eloquence in earth’s many languages, and in the heavenly tongues of angels,[a] yet I didn’t express myself with love,[b] my words would be reduced to the hollow sound of nothing more than a clanging cymbal”
Note A: The implication is that the angels speak a distinct language among themselves that is not known on earth. There is a Christian language as well. You can be educated with no influence!
- The Aramaic word for love is hooba, and it is a homonym that also means “to set on fire.” It is difficult to fully express the meaning of this word and translate it into English. You could say the Aramaic concept is “burning love” or “fiery love,”…
coming from the inner depths of the heart as an eternal energy, an active power of bonding hearts and lives in secure relationships. The Greek word is agapē, which describes the highest form of love. It is the love God has for his people. It is an intense affection that must be demonstrated. It is a loyal, endless, and unconditional commitment of love. Feelings are attached to this love. It is not abstract, but devoted to demonstrating the inward feelings of love toward another with acts of kindness and benevolence. Passion Translation Notes
2 And if I were to have the gift of prophecy (prophetic powers) with a profound understanding of God’s hidden secrets, and if I possessed unending supernatural knowledge, and if I had the greatest gift of faith that could move mountains,[d] but have never learned to love, then I am nothing.
When I love you like I should, I will forgive you for the times you hurt me, Eph. 4:32.
When I love you as I should, I will seek you best interests ahead of my own.
When I love you like I should, I will treat you like I should, 1 Cor. 13:4-8a.
∙ A revival of love in the church would produce among us the same kind of attitudes and power that existed in the early church.
Love makes us considerate of others – v. 32. Eph 4:32 But instead be kind[a] and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.”
⮚ Love makes people more important than possessions, v. 32.
⮚ Love enables Christians to put away their differences. (Ill. The early church was made up of people from all over the world. They were of different cultures and different backgrounds.)
Love gives us power. Without love, we will lack the power of God we need to be effective in this age. We need to plug into the power of a genuine, all-consuming passion for others.
When you plug into his power, you will get a passion for souls.
Matthew 28:19 “ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Go in the Greek it means, ‘Go and be constantly going’
Them refers to nations. The intention of Jesus was not just to baptise one but many.
Lo means behold. Means a person has a sense of amazement! You could also use the word, WOW!
This the promise that accompanies your passion. Jesus said, I will be with you to give you power until the end of time.
His promise was IF WE GO, HE WOULD GO TOO
Why did the early church explode with supernatural growth, signs, miracles and wonders? Because they went out.
What released the power of God? The preaching of the word
The Gospel of Power via the Apostle Paul ROMANS 1:16
16 I refuse to be ashamed of the wonderful message of God’s liberating power unleashed in us through Christ! For I am thrilled to preach that everyone who believes is saved—the Jew first,[a] and then people everywhere!
We have on average 38 people a week. If we led 1 person to Jesus in a year, we would have 72 in attendance. IF we did that every 6 months in a year, we would have 144.
What if we each person led 1 person to Jesus every 3 months, we would have 220 in attendance within a 12 month period of time.
Ashamed (Epaischunomai) means to be shamed, disgraced, embarrassed, red-faced.
Power (dunamis) the full force of an army
Salvation (sozo) deliverance on every level
The preaching of the gospel releases heaven’s power through a passionate believer. The baptism of the Holy Spirit gives you the power.
IN CLOSING
Matthew 9:35-36 “Workers for the Harvest Passion
35 Jesus walked throughout the region[a]with the joyful message of God’s kingdom realm. He taught in their meeting houses, and wherever he went he demonstrated God’s power by healing every kind of disease and illness.
36 When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus’ heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd.
NKJV 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary (harassed) and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Way too much time is spent arguing over dogma which becomes a dilemma that divides.
Way too much time is spent judging sins and trying to figure out who is in and who is out.
Mark Chapter 1:40
40 On one occasion, a leper came and threw himself down in front of Jesus, pleading for his healing, saying, “You have the power to heal me right now if only you really want to!” 41 Being deeply moved with tender compassion,[a] Jesus reached out and touched the skin of the leper and told him, “Of course I want you to be healed—so now, be cleansed!” 42 Instantly his leprous sores completely disappeared and his skin became smooth! 43 Jesus sent him away with a very stern warning,[b] 44 saying, “Don’t say anything to anyone about what just happened, but go find a priest and show him that you’ve been healed. Then bring the offering that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a living testimony to everyone.”[c]
45 But no sooner did the man leave than he began to proclaim his healing publicly[d] and tell the story everywhere.
Jesus’ growing fame prevented him from entering the villages openly, which forced him to remain in isolated places. Even so, a steady stream of people flocked to him from everywhere.
In closing this is a prime example of grace that is amazing, yet this story jeopardizes the way the current climate of Christianity is experienced because it will not be contained by our complacency.
This nameless man had lost his identity by his issues. So our issues have consumed our identity because that is what gets our attention and focus.
God knows what you need and is what you need. No one can fill the void but him. The clarion call of Christians in this current culture is to reach out and touch someone.
This man had been relegated, confined and quarantined to the outside in complete isolation. I think one of the biggest issues right now is isolation. There are tons of people right now that are experiencing a new form of leprosy.
The man with no name came to the name above all names.
Whatever name your issues has it is subject to the name above all names.
At the name of Jesus every knee (name) will bow
