REIGNITE YOUR PASSION FOR JESUS 1TIMOTHY 4:9-16
9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labour and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe.
11Command and teach these things. 12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Nothing great happens in life without passion
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Mt.22:37).
But there are reasons we end up half-hearted
1) Passion for Salvation
Without Jesus our situation is hopeless.
“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).
If we’re really passionate about our Saviour – people will notice (v15)!
It’s time for a heart to heart with Jesus – to get back to your first love.
2)Passion for Life
If we’re passionate about our Saviour it’ll impact:
(i) The words that we utter
“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be”.(James 4:10)
(ii)Your lifestyle and purity
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
(iii)Your love
(iv)How you live by faith
3)Passion for God’s word.
4)Passion for serving
Every Christian has gifts, and we all have a work that God has planned for us to do.
“…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).
- What am I really good at?
- Try things out.
- Listen when people suggest ministry opportunities.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:6-8)
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I want to know more:
- What is Christianity? 321 The Story of God, the World and You
- Who is Jesus? Roger Carswell – available for free in the foyer.
- Read more on reigniting your spiritual passion: Rick Warren
- More on 1Timothy. The best readable commentary is “The Message of 1Timothy and Titus” by John Stott (Bible Speaks Today)