Next Chapter: Living With Passion
Copyright: South Bay Community Church Sermon Reflections
Title: Next Chapter: Living With Passion
Date: 6 October 2024
Speaker: Lead Pastor Tammy Long
Sermon Text: John 10:6-10
Title: Next Chapter: Living With Passion
Date: 6 October 2024
Speaker: Lead Pastor Tammy Long
Sermon Text: John 10:6-10
Sermon Quick Summary
Passion is the resonance of rightness in your soul and a deep sense of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. Last week, we began a mini-sermon series called Next Chapter focused on Discovering Your Purpose. The topic for this week, Living With Passion, energizes us to live into our purpose from a deeper place. John 10:6-10 emphasizes and declares that Jesus is the shepherd and the gate for the sheep. Jesus also speaks of thieves and robbers as anyone or anything that distorts God’s truth and why Jesus came. Jesus offers you a choice for an abundant life. The first area of passion God invites us to experience is Passion for the Lord. Following are ways to nurture passion for the Lord: spend time in God’s presence is the best place to start, embrace worship as a lifestyle, and remember God’s faithfulness. Following are ways to nurture Passion for the Loved: serve with humility, build community, and love through difficulty. Passion for the loved includes those who are spiritually lost meaning those who do not yet know the love and hope found in Jesus. Praying for the lost softens your hearts, deepens your passion, and aligns you with God’s mission to seek and save the lost. Following are ways to nurture passion for the lost: pray for the lost, build relationships, and be bold in your witness. Jesus offers passion for life. Following are ways to nurture passion for life: embrace joy, delight in the ordinary, pause and enjoy the present with God, pursue what makes your heart sing. Apply living with passion principles to communion and benediction.
Passion is the resonance of rightness in your soul and a deep sense of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment
Can you think about an experience that you could say, “This is what I was made for?” Maybe it was creating something with your hands, serving someone in need, or participating in something that filled you with immense joy. It may have even felt like a spiritual experience. Maybe it was hard to put into words, but in the moment of that experience, there was the resonance of rightness in your soul and a deep sense of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. This is passion.
Last week, we began a mini-sermon series called Next Chapter focused on Discovering Your Purpose
Last week we began the series with “Next Chapter: Living Your Purpose.” We considered how our purpose comes from our identity in Christ as God’s masterpiece created to do good works. We live into our purpose as we seek God through prayer and scripture, follow our God-given gifts, and trust what God is doing in every season of our lives. Our Purpose gives us direction, focus, and helps us set priorities.
We are in a mini-sermon series called Next Chapter. It’s a theme in conjunction with the changing season to autumn. There is an invitation to turn the page, to reset, and to start fresh as God leads us into what is next. Many of you are in a season of transition, a season of embarking on a new chapter. Even if you’re not in a transition, this is still a good time to do some personal assessment and reflection with God. As we enter the last quarter of this year, prayerfully consider where God might be inviting you to reset in some area of your life. Then begin a new chapter.
The topic for this week, Living With Passion, energizes us to live into our purpose from a deeper place
Passion is the fuel that energizes and enlivens us to live into your purpose. Passion is what moves and motivates you even during hard times. Where does that passion come from? The fallen world system may say passion comes from what excites or entertains you. However, followers of Jesus know that true and lasting passion is a gift of God’s grace that actually comes from a deeper place.
John 10:6-10 emphasizes that Jesus is the shepherd and the gate for the sheep
Jesus refers to himself as the gate for the sheep. “6Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.7So He said to them again, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
9I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.’” In pastoral societies shepherds are familiar figures and commonly used in metaphors. Jesus’ listeners missed what Jesus was trying to explain to them. It went over their heads, so our text tells us Jesus says it again. Repetition suggests Jesus was sharing something important. Jesus wanted His hearers to understand, which means it’s important for us to also understand.
In ancient times, in the evening, shepherds would gather the sheep into a pen for protection. The pen was often a stone enclosure gate that was the only point of entry and exit. This was the spot where the shepherd could best guard and care for the sheep. In some cases, the shepherd would literally lie down at the opening and become the "door," ensuring that no sheep could leave and no predator could enter without going through him. When Jesus says, "I am the gate,” He is making that analogy. Jesus is saying that no one comes into the safety of God’s fold (God’s family) except through Jesus. Jesus is saying that He is the only way to experience salvation, security, and the fullness of life God offers. Jesus, the shepherd is not one of many gates; Jesus is THE gate.
Jesus also speaks of thieves and robbers as anyone or anything that distorts God’s truth and why Jesus came
Jesus also speaks of thieves and robbers who come to steal, kill, and destroy. Who is Jesus talking about? Jesus is referring to false religious leaders and teachers who distort God’s truth for their own gain and lead people away from God. In the same way for us today, thieves and robbers would be anything or anyone that diverts us from the truth of Jesus and why Jesus came. This could be false teachings, harmful ideologies, or even the pursuit of worldly desires that promise satisfaction but ultimately lead to empty promises, disappointment, and disillusionment robbing us of the fulfilling and abundant life Jesus offers to all. Jesus promises that by entering the Kingdom of God through Him, we will experience a life that is safe and secure forever. It is also a life overflowing with the beauty and joy of green pastures in this world and the next. It is not that everything will be trouble free in this world, but it is the promise of the love and care of the shepherd who will never leave us alone.
Jesus offers you a choice for an abundant life
Jesus articulates an implied invitational choice when Jesus declares, “10The thief, meaning the evil one in this world, comes only to steal and kill and destroy. But I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” Jesus isn’t talking about a life that merely surviving. Jesus is offering a fullness of life that overflows with purpose, joy, and passion. This abundant life (as it is called in many translations) is not about having more material things or prosperity but experiencing life in such a way that our hearts are engaged, fulfilled, and fully alive for every chapter of the story God is writing in our lives. This abundant life that Jesus offers is to be lived out through three key passions: Passion for the Lord, Passion for the Loved (including Passion for the Lost), and Passion for Life. As you consider where God may be inviting you to experience abundant life, listen for what stirs in your heart to notice where God may draw your attention inviting you to reset with passion as you turn the page for the next chapter.
The first area of passion God invites us to experience is Passion for the Lord
Passion for the Lord begins with understanding God’s passionate love for us. Passion for the Lord is not just about being excited about God; it is about responding to God’s deep, abiding love for us. God has been passionate about humanity from the very beginning. God’s love is so great that God sent the Son to die for us so that we might live and thrive! When we truly begin to grasp the truth of God’s love, passion for the Lord naturally flows.
Passion for the Lord is not based on emotions alone; feelings come and go. Some days, we might not feel like worshiping, praying, or reading the Bible, but passion for the Lord isn’t sustained by feelings. It is sustained by our covenant relationship with God. Think about a fire that needs constant tending; you can’t just light it once and expect it to keep burning without care. Passion for the Lord works the same way in requiring us to tend to the relationship regularly. As we do, God’s love will fuel our passion for God even more. How do we nurture passion for the Lord?
Spend time in God’s presence is the best place to start. The more time we spend with God, reading God’s Word, learning about who God is, and getting to know God, the more our hearts are set on fire for God. Psalm 63:1 says, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you.” This is passion, and it’s the kind of passion that grows as we draw near to God.
Embrace worship as a lifestyle. Passion for the Lord isn’t just about singing songs on Sunday. It is about living a life of worship and seeing everything we do as an act of devotion to God. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” When we love God with our whole lives as a lifestyle of worship, we are mindful of God and honoring God. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Matthew 22:36-37, Mark 12:28-30, Luke 10:25-28).
Remember God’s faithfulness. When we reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of God in our lives, it stirs up passion in us. Passion for the Lord is fueled by gratitude for all God has done and continues to do. Testimonies are so important because they remind us of what God has done. We have short memories, but once we start recounting the goodness of God, our spirits begin to swell with gratitude and passion for the loving God we serve.
Jesus invites us to share Passion for the Loved
Passion for the loved means loving all people because the Bible tells us God so loved the world (John 3:16a). The Lord is passionate about people, and if we are truly passionate about the Lord, we will also be passionate about people. Passion for the loved includes those neighbors in our daily lives and those who have not yet come to know Christ and are lost from God’s family. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). This love extends to everyone around us, both those near and far from God. Loving our neighbors means caring for the people we encounter regularly such as our family, friends, coworkers, and fellow believers. Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the Good Samaritan, showing that “neighbor” isn’t just the person who lives next door but anyone in need of our kindness and care (See Luke 10:29-37). God calls us to be passionate about loving our neighbors as Christ loved us.
What does that look like? You will notice how God is calling you to reset for your next chapter in God’s calling for you to love anyone to nurture passion for the loved.
Serve with humility. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4). This Philippians scripture calls us to put others first, seeking to serve rather than be served. Passion for our neighbors is expressed in practical ways, like meeting needs, offering encouragement, or simply being present to listen and demonstrate care.
Build community. We were created for relationships, so passion for our neighbors means fostering a sense of community. Whether through church, friendships, or our local neighborhood, building relationships in community reflects the love of Christ as we care for one another.
Love through difficulty. Relationships aren’t always easy, and loving our neighbors can sometimes be challenging. God calls us to love as Christ loves us even in the hard times. When we choose to extend grace, forgiveness, or patience, we are demonstrating the love that Jesus modeled for us (See 1 John 4:19). We are allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us to manifest passion for those Jesus loves.
Passion for the loved includes those who are spiritually lost meaning those who do not yet know the love and hope found in Jesus.
Jesus made it clear through His ministry that His heart is for the lost. In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus shows the lengths to which He will go to rescue just one person who is far from God. (See Matthew 18: 12-14 and Luke 15: 1-7). Our passion for the lost reflects that same desire to see people come to know Jesus. What are some ways to live into passion for the lost?
Praying for the lost softens your heart, deepens your passion, and aligns you with God’s mission to seek and save the lost. Pray for the lost. God opens your eyes to opportunities to share God’s love with others. When was the last time you prayed for someone to meet Jesus? Maybe this is a good time to reset. In the B.L.E.S.S. model of evangelism, B stands for begin with prayer.
Build relationships. In the B.L.E.S.S., model, L is listening with care. E is eating together. The first S is serving with love. Just as Jesus formed meaningful relationships with those who didn’t yet know Him, you too are called to engage with the people around you in authentic ways. These relationships provide a space where you can show the love of Christ, build trust, and open doors for deeper conversations about faith.
Be bold in your witness. Bold in witness does not mean beating people up with Jesus talk. The last S in the BLESS model is to share your story. God’s calling of passion for the lost compels you to share the good news of Jesus as the Holy Spirit opens the door to share. Sharing your faith is part of living out your passion for the lost. You trust that God will use your words and actions to draw people closer to God to help people discover the abundant life Jesus offers.
Passion for the loved means having a heart for both your neighbors and the lost. Whether you are building relationships with those in our community or sharing the gospel with those who don’t yet know Christ, your passion for the loved reflects the heart of God. The divine God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit calls you to care deeply, serve sacrificially, and love as God loves, making God’s love known to all. You turn the page for the next chapter of your story, and reset. Jesus offers an abundant life of passion that includes passion for the Lord and passion for those Loved by God meaning all people.
Jesus offers passion for life
Passion for life is about more than surviving and the attitude of just getting by. Passion about life is about thriving in the deep joy and delight that God offers in each moment. God is the giver of every good gift as it says in James 1:17. God’s love gives us blessings not just for our needs but also for our joy, to enjoy, and for our hearts to sing. Jesus says in John 10:9, “I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.” Jesus is painting a picture of what abundant life looks like. There’s freedom; there is joy; there is safety; there is playfulness; there is exploring green pasture because the Shepherd is present to watch over us. God created each of us with unique desires, talents, and things that bring us joy. Joy may be time spent with loved ones, a creative pursuit, or simply moments in nature that make our hearts swell with awe. As any loving parent delights in seeing their child enjoy a gift; our God delights in seeing us enjoy the blessings God gives us. How do we nurture passion for life to enjoy what God has given us?
Embrace joy and delight in the ordinary. Gifts from God are all around us often in the little things that we may take for granted. Whether it’s a beautiful sunset, laughter shared with friends, or the satisfaction of a job well done, God invites us to pause, to take it in, and to embrace the gift of delight that God has so graciously given. Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” When we embrace joy and delight with the Lord, we can experience fullness of joy both in God’s presence, and in what God gives us.
Pause and enjoy the present with God. So often we rush through life, always focused on the next task or worry. But God wants us to slow down and experience the richness of the present moment with God. God is with us in the here and now. When we pause to enjoy the present, we honor God’s presence and God’s gifts. Every breath, every moment of laughter or stillness, is an opportunity to experience God’s goodness.
Pursue what makes our hearts sing. God has placed passions for life within each of us. Those passions can make our hearts come alive and bring us energy and excitement. Passions from God are not distractions that draw us away from God. When we pursue these passions, we glorify God by living fully into the person God created us to be. Perhaps a hobby, a talent, or an activity that fills you with joy is not a distraction. Rather they are gifts from God to be enjoyed. When we do, God receives joy too. You are invited to watch this clip from the movie “Chariots of Fire.”
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hOgJCZLykKXt2JIFJ358Yfz6Cnl4gySA/view
One of the storylines in this movie is the tension Eric Liddell, a Christian, feels between his faith in service to God and his passion for running. In this scene, he says, ‘When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.’ This is such a powerful reminder. When we live in alignment with God’s will, we pursue what God has placed on our hearts as a passion and experience the joy of knowing we are doing what God created us to do. We experience God’s delight. God is pleased when we find joy in what God has given us. When we feel God’s pleasure in serving others or engaging in other activities, it is all for the glory of God.
Our passion for life comes to us from God. Living with passion for life means recognizing and embracing the blessings God has poured into our lives. Passion for life is about seeing God’s hand in the things that bring us joy and delight, knowing that what makes our hearts sing can also makes God smile. God desires for us to enjoy God’s gifts, to pause in the present, and experience the abundant life God has promised us through living fully in God.
Apply living with passion principles to communion and benediction
Go now with the passion of Christ filling your heart: Passion for the Lord, Passion for the loved, and Passion for the gift of life itself. Passion is a mirror reflection of the passion God first had for us. God demonstrated passion because God first loved us. As we prepare to take communion, let’s return to our text and look at the next verse. In John 10:11, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This is the ultimate expression of passion. Jesus went through death and resurrection for us. As we take the bread and the cup, we remember that Jesus’ passion for us is what led Him to the cross. His love is what sustains our passion to live fully, to love deeply, and to follow Him with all our hearts. May you live in the abundance Jesus offers, and may you feel His pleasure as you walk in His purpose for your life in the next chapter.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Quick Summary
-For further explanation of any statement in the Quick Review Summary, review the discussion and questions under the heading for that statement.
Passion is the resonance of rightness in your soul and a deep sense of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment
-What experience had you thinking, this is what you were made for? In what ways do you think of that passion as a calling from God on your life, not just a job?
Last week, we began a mini-sermon series called Next Chapter focused on Discovering Your Purpose
-What seasons of transition have you had in your life? Even if you are not in a season of transition, why is it still a good time to reset in some area of your life and chapter in your calling from God?
The topic for this week, Living With Passion, energizes us to live into our purpose from a deeper place
-Where does your passion to live into your purpose come from? In what ways can you distinguish passion from God even in hard times as compared to passion from the fallen world system? For you what is the deeper place that God transforms in living with passion?
John 10:6-10 emphasizes that Jesus is the shepherd and the gate for the sheep
-When Jesus refers to himself as the gate and shepherd for the sheep, what important message did the original hearers miss about shepherds as the gate door? How is Jesus the gate door for you?
Jesus also speaks of thieves and robbers as anyone or anything that distorts God’s truth and why Jesus came
-What experiences from thieves and robbers have you had to face in your life?
Jesus offers you a choice for an abundant life
-What is the difference for you between an abundant life you choose based on your relationship with God and material prosperity?
The first area of passion God invites us to experience is Passion for the Lord
-In what ways is passion for the Lord about responding to God’s love for you?
Spend time in God’s presence is the best place to start.
-In what ways can you spend more time in God’s presence for passion in your life to be on fire for God?
Embrace worship as a lifestyle -How can you best embrace worship in your life as more than just a Sunday morning activity?
Remember God’s faithfulness -What has been your experience in God faithfully blessing you? Why is your testimony sharing your experience with others so important?
Share Passion for the Loved -In what ways do you reflect God’s passion about loving all people?
Serve with humility -In what practical ways have you experienced serving with humility?
Build Community -How can you reflect Christ in caring for others and building a sense of community?
Love through difficulty
-When have you been able to love others in following Jesus’ model? How difficult is this challenge for you?
Passion for the loved includes those who are spiritually lost meaning those who do not yet know the love and hope found in Jesus. Pray for the lost.
-In our model of evangelism, we use B.L.E.S.S. The B stands for begin with prayer. Why is this important?
Build relationships
-Why can you build relationships with the lost by listening with care, eating together, lovingly serving?
Be bold in your witness –Why is it so important to share truth with patience in evangelism?
Jesus offers passion for life: Embrace joy and delight in the ordinary – In God’s presence and the calling of God on our life, what joys from God are available for you to embrace?
Pause and enjoy the present with God –Why is it so important to pause and enjoy God’s presence?
Pursue what makes our hearts sing – How can you distinguish passions as God transforms your heart and distractions that draw you away from God?
Apply living with passion principles to communion and benediction – What should be your passionate response to the passion of Jesus on the cross?
Passion is the resonance of rightness in your soul and a deep sense of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. Last week, we began a mini-sermon series called Next Chapter focused on Discovering Your Purpose. The topic for this week, Living With Passion, energizes us to live into our purpose from a deeper place. John 10:6-10 emphasizes and declares that Jesus is the shepherd and the gate for the sheep. Jesus also speaks of thieves and robbers as anyone or anything that distorts God’s truth and why Jesus came. Jesus offers you a choice for an abundant life. The first area of passion God invites us to experience is Passion for the Lord. Following are ways to nurture passion for the Lord: spend time in God’s presence is the best place to start, embrace worship as a lifestyle, and remember God’s faithfulness. Following are ways to nurture Passion for the Loved: serve with humility, build community, and love through difficulty. Passion for the loved includes those who are spiritually lost meaning those who do not yet know the love and hope found in Jesus. Praying for the lost softens your hearts, deepens your passion, and aligns you with God’s mission to seek and save the lost. Following are ways to nurture passion for the lost: pray for the lost, build relationships, and be bold in your witness. Jesus offers passion for life. Following are ways to nurture passion for life: embrace joy, delight in the ordinary, pause and enjoy the present with God, pursue what makes your heart sing. Apply living with passion principles to communion and benediction.
Passion is the resonance of rightness in your soul and a deep sense of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment
Can you think about an experience that you could say, “This is what I was made for?” Maybe it was creating something with your hands, serving someone in need, or participating in something that filled you with immense joy. It may have even felt like a spiritual experience. Maybe it was hard to put into words, but in the moment of that experience, there was the resonance of rightness in your soul and a deep sense of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. This is passion.
Last week, we began a mini-sermon series called Next Chapter focused on Discovering Your Purpose
Last week we began the series with “Next Chapter: Living Your Purpose.” We considered how our purpose comes from our identity in Christ as God’s masterpiece created to do good works. We live into our purpose as we seek God through prayer and scripture, follow our God-given gifts, and trust what God is doing in every season of our lives. Our Purpose gives us direction, focus, and helps us set priorities.
We are in a mini-sermon series called Next Chapter. It’s a theme in conjunction with the changing season to autumn. There is an invitation to turn the page, to reset, and to start fresh as God leads us into what is next. Many of you are in a season of transition, a season of embarking on a new chapter. Even if you’re not in a transition, this is still a good time to do some personal assessment and reflection with God. As we enter the last quarter of this year, prayerfully consider where God might be inviting you to reset in some area of your life. Then begin a new chapter.
The topic for this week, Living With Passion, energizes us to live into our purpose from a deeper place
Passion is the fuel that energizes and enlivens us to live into your purpose. Passion is what moves and motivates you even during hard times. Where does that passion come from? The fallen world system may say passion comes from what excites or entertains you. However, followers of Jesus know that true and lasting passion is a gift of God’s grace that actually comes from a deeper place.
John 10:6-10 emphasizes that Jesus is the shepherd and the gate for the sheep
Jesus refers to himself as the gate for the sheep. “6Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.7So He said to them again, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
9I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.’” In pastoral societies shepherds are familiar figures and commonly used in metaphors. Jesus’ listeners missed what Jesus was trying to explain to them. It went over their heads, so our text tells us Jesus says it again. Repetition suggests Jesus was sharing something important. Jesus wanted His hearers to understand, which means it’s important for us to also understand.
In ancient times, in the evening, shepherds would gather the sheep into a pen for protection. The pen was often a stone enclosure gate that was the only point of entry and exit. This was the spot where the shepherd could best guard and care for the sheep. In some cases, the shepherd would literally lie down at the opening and become the "door," ensuring that no sheep could leave and no predator could enter without going through him. When Jesus says, "I am the gate,” He is making that analogy. Jesus is saying that no one comes into the safety of God’s fold (God’s family) except through Jesus. Jesus is saying that He is the only way to experience salvation, security, and the fullness of life God offers. Jesus, the shepherd is not one of many gates; Jesus is THE gate.
Jesus also speaks of thieves and robbers as anyone or anything that distorts God’s truth and why Jesus came
Jesus also speaks of thieves and robbers who come to steal, kill, and destroy. Who is Jesus talking about? Jesus is referring to false religious leaders and teachers who distort God’s truth for their own gain and lead people away from God. In the same way for us today, thieves and robbers would be anything or anyone that diverts us from the truth of Jesus and why Jesus came. This could be false teachings, harmful ideologies, or even the pursuit of worldly desires that promise satisfaction but ultimately lead to empty promises, disappointment, and disillusionment robbing us of the fulfilling and abundant life Jesus offers to all. Jesus promises that by entering the Kingdom of God through Him, we will experience a life that is safe and secure forever. It is also a life overflowing with the beauty and joy of green pastures in this world and the next. It is not that everything will be trouble free in this world, but it is the promise of the love and care of the shepherd who will never leave us alone.
Jesus offers you a choice for an abundant life
Jesus articulates an implied invitational choice when Jesus declares, “10The thief, meaning the evil one in this world, comes only to steal and kill and destroy. But I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” Jesus isn’t talking about a life that merely surviving. Jesus is offering a fullness of life that overflows with purpose, joy, and passion. This abundant life (as it is called in many translations) is not about having more material things or prosperity but experiencing life in such a way that our hearts are engaged, fulfilled, and fully alive for every chapter of the story God is writing in our lives. This abundant life that Jesus offers is to be lived out through three key passions: Passion for the Lord, Passion for the Loved (including Passion for the Lost), and Passion for Life. As you consider where God may be inviting you to experience abundant life, listen for what stirs in your heart to notice where God may draw your attention inviting you to reset with passion as you turn the page for the next chapter.
The first area of passion God invites us to experience is Passion for the Lord
Passion for the Lord begins with understanding God’s passionate love for us. Passion for the Lord is not just about being excited about God; it is about responding to God’s deep, abiding love for us. God has been passionate about humanity from the very beginning. God’s love is so great that God sent the Son to die for us so that we might live and thrive! When we truly begin to grasp the truth of God’s love, passion for the Lord naturally flows.
Passion for the Lord is not based on emotions alone; feelings come and go. Some days, we might not feel like worshiping, praying, or reading the Bible, but passion for the Lord isn’t sustained by feelings. It is sustained by our covenant relationship with God. Think about a fire that needs constant tending; you can’t just light it once and expect it to keep burning without care. Passion for the Lord works the same way in requiring us to tend to the relationship regularly. As we do, God’s love will fuel our passion for God even more. How do we nurture passion for the Lord?
Spend time in God’s presence is the best place to start. The more time we spend with God, reading God’s Word, learning about who God is, and getting to know God, the more our hearts are set on fire for God. Psalm 63:1 says, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you.” This is passion, and it’s the kind of passion that grows as we draw near to God.
Embrace worship as a lifestyle. Passion for the Lord isn’t just about singing songs on Sunday. It is about living a life of worship and seeing everything we do as an act of devotion to God. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” When we love God with our whole lives as a lifestyle of worship, we are mindful of God and honoring God. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Matthew 22:36-37, Mark 12:28-30, Luke 10:25-28).
Remember God’s faithfulness. When we reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of God in our lives, it stirs up passion in us. Passion for the Lord is fueled by gratitude for all God has done and continues to do. Testimonies are so important because they remind us of what God has done. We have short memories, but once we start recounting the goodness of God, our spirits begin to swell with gratitude and passion for the loving God we serve.
Jesus invites us to share Passion for the Loved
Passion for the loved means loving all people because the Bible tells us God so loved the world (John 3:16a). The Lord is passionate about people, and if we are truly passionate about the Lord, we will also be passionate about people. Passion for the loved includes those neighbors in our daily lives and those who have not yet come to know Christ and are lost from God’s family. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). This love extends to everyone around us, both those near and far from God. Loving our neighbors means caring for the people we encounter regularly such as our family, friends, coworkers, and fellow believers. Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the Good Samaritan, showing that “neighbor” isn’t just the person who lives next door but anyone in need of our kindness and care (See Luke 10:29-37). God calls us to be passionate about loving our neighbors as Christ loved us.
What does that look like? You will notice how God is calling you to reset for your next chapter in God’s calling for you to love anyone to nurture passion for the loved.
Serve with humility. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4). This Philippians scripture calls us to put others first, seeking to serve rather than be served. Passion for our neighbors is expressed in practical ways, like meeting needs, offering encouragement, or simply being present to listen and demonstrate care.
Build community. We were created for relationships, so passion for our neighbors means fostering a sense of community. Whether through church, friendships, or our local neighborhood, building relationships in community reflects the love of Christ as we care for one another.
Love through difficulty. Relationships aren’t always easy, and loving our neighbors can sometimes be challenging. God calls us to love as Christ loves us even in the hard times. When we choose to extend grace, forgiveness, or patience, we are demonstrating the love that Jesus modeled for us (See 1 John 4:19). We are allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us to manifest passion for those Jesus loves.
Passion for the loved includes those who are spiritually lost meaning those who do not yet know the love and hope found in Jesus.
Jesus made it clear through His ministry that His heart is for the lost. In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus shows the lengths to which He will go to rescue just one person who is far from God. (See Matthew 18: 12-14 and Luke 15: 1-7). Our passion for the lost reflects that same desire to see people come to know Jesus. What are some ways to live into passion for the lost?
Praying for the lost softens your heart, deepens your passion, and aligns you with God’s mission to seek and save the lost. Pray for the lost. God opens your eyes to opportunities to share God’s love with others. When was the last time you prayed for someone to meet Jesus? Maybe this is a good time to reset. In the B.L.E.S.S. model of evangelism, B stands for begin with prayer.
Build relationships. In the B.L.E.S.S., model, L is listening with care. E is eating together. The first S is serving with love. Just as Jesus formed meaningful relationships with those who didn’t yet know Him, you too are called to engage with the people around you in authentic ways. These relationships provide a space where you can show the love of Christ, build trust, and open doors for deeper conversations about faith.
Be bold in your witness. Bold in witness does not mean beating people up with Jesus talk. The last S in the BLESS model is to share your story. God’s calling of passion for the lost compels you to share the good news of Jesus as the Holy Spirit opens the door to share. Sharing your faith is part of living out your passion for the lost. You trust that God will use your words and actions to draw people closer to God to help people discover the abundant life Jesus offers.
Passion for the loved means having a heart for both your neighbors and the lost. Whether you are building relationships with those in our community or sharing the gospel with those who don’t yet know Christ, your passion for the loved reflects the heart of God. The divine God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit calls you to care deeply, serve sacrificially, and love as God loves, making God’s love known to all. You turn the page for the next chapter of your story, and reset. Jesus offers an abundant life of passion that includes passion for the Lord and passion for those Loved by God meaning all people.
Jesus offers passion for life
Passion for life is about more than surviving and the attitude of just getting by. Passion about life is about thriving in the deep joy and delight that God offers in each moment. God is the giver of every good gift as it says in James 1:17. God’s love gives us blessings not just for our needs but also for our joy, to enjoy, and for our hearts to sing. Jesus says in John 10:9, “I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.” Jesus is painting a picture of what abundant life looks like. There’s freedom; there is joy; there is safety; there is playfulness; there is exploring green pasture because the Shepherd is present to watch over us. God created each of us with unique desires, talents, and things that bring us joy. Joy may be time spent with loved ones, a creative pursuit, or simply moments in nature that make our hearts swell with awe. As any loving parent delights in seeing their child enjoy a gift; our God delights in seeing us enjoy the blessings God gives us. How do we nurture passion for life to enjoy what God has given us?
Embrace joy and delight in the ordinary. Gifts from God are all around us often in the little things that we may take for granted. Whether it’s a beautiful sunset, laughter shared with friends, or the satisfaction of a job well done, God invites us to pause, to take it in, and to embrace the gift of delight that God has so graciously given. Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” When we embrace joy and delight with the Lord, we can experience fullness of joy both in God’s presence, and in what God gives us.
Pause and enjoy the present with God. So often we rush through life, always focused on the next task or worry. But God wants us to slow down and experience the richness of the present moment with God. God is with us in the here and now. When we pause to enjoy the present, we honor God’s presence and God’s gifts. Every breath, every moment of laughter or stillness, is an opportunity to experience God’s goodness.
Pursue what makes our hearts sing. God has placed passions for life within each of us. Those passions can make our hearts come alive and bring us energy and excitement. Passions from God are not distractions that draw us away from God. When we pursue these passions, we glorify God by living fully into the person God created us to be. Perhaps a hobby, a talent, or an activity that fills you with joy is not a distraction. Rather they are gifts from God to be enjoyed. When we do, God receives joy too. You are invited to watch this clip from the movie “Chariots of Fire.”
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hOgJCZLykKXt2JIFJ358Yfz6Cnl4gySA/view
One of the storylines in this movie is the tension Eric Liddell, a Christian, feels between his faith in service to God and his passion for running. In this scene, he says, ‘When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.’ This is such a powerful reminder. When we live in alignment with God’s will, we pursue what God has placed on our hearts as a passion and experience the joy of knowing we are doing what God created us to do. We experience God’s delight. God is pleased when we find joy in what God has given us. When we feel God’s pleasure in serving others or engaging in other activities, it is all for the glory of God.
Our passion for life comes to us from God. Living with passion for life means recognizing and embracing the blessings God has poured into our lives. Passion for life is about seeing God’s hand in the things that bring us joy and delight, knowing that what makes our hearts sing can also makes God smile. God desires for us to enjoy God’s gifts, to pause in the present, and experience the abundant life God has promised us through living fully in God.
Apply living with passion principles to communion and benediction
Go now with the passion of Christ filling your heart: Passion for the Lord, Passion for the loved, and Passion for the gift of life itself. Passion is a mirror reflection of the passion God first had for us. God demonstrated passion because God first loved us. As we prepare to take communion, let’s return to our text and look at the next verse. In John 10:11, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This is the ultimate expression of passion. Jesus went through death and resurrection for us. As we take the bread and the cup, we remember that Jesus’ passion for us is what led Him to the cross. His love is what sustains our passion to live fully, to love deeply, and to follow Him with all our hearts. May you live in the abundance Jesus offers, and may you feel His pleasure as you walk in His purpose for your life in the next chapter.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Quick Summary
-For further explanation of any statement in the Quick Review Summary, review the discussion and questions under the heading for that statement.
Passion is the resonance of rightness in your soul and a deep sense of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment
-What experience had you thinking, this is what you were made for? In what ways do you think of that passion as a calling from God on your life, not just a job?
Last week, we began a mini-sermon series called Next Chapter focused on Discovering Your Purpose
-What seasons of transition have you had in your life? Even if you are not in a season of transition, why is it still a good time to reset in some area of your life and chapter in your calling from God?
The topic for this week, Living With Passion, energizes us to live into our purpose from a deeper place
-Where does your passion to live into your purpose come from? In what ways can you distinguish passion from God even in hard times as compared to passion from the fallen world system? For you what is the deeper place that God transforms in living with passion?
John 10:6-10 emphasizes that Jesus is the shepherd and the gate for the sheep
-When Jesus refers to himself as the gate and shepherd for the sheep, what important message did the original hearers miss about shepherds as the gate door? How is Jesus the gate door for you?
Jesus also speaks of thieves and robbers as anyone or anything that distorts God’s truth and why Jesus came
-What experiences from thieves and robbers have you had to face in your life?
Jesus offers you a choice for an abundant life
-What is the difference for you between an abundant life you choose based on your relationship with God and material prosperity?
The first area of passion God invites us to experience is Passion for the Lord
-In what ways is passion for the Lord about responding to God’s love for you?
Spend time in God’s presence is the best place to start.
-In what ways can you spend more time in God’s presence for passion in your life to be on fire for God?
Embrace worship as a lifestyle -How can you best embrace worship in your life as more than just a Sunday morning activity?
Remember God’s faithfulness -What has been your experience in God faithfully blessing you? Why is your testimony sharing your experience with others so important?
Share Passion for the Loved -In what ways do you reflect God’s passion about loving all people?
Serve with humility -In what practical ways have you experienced serving with humility?
Build Community -How can you reflect Christ in caring for others and building a sense of community?
Love through difficulty
-When have you been able to love others in following Jesus’ model? How difficult is this challenge for you?
Passion for the loved includes those who are spiritually lost meaning those who do not yet know the love and hope found in Jesus. Pray for the lost.
-In our model of evangelism, we use B.L.E.S.S. The B stands for begin with prayer. Why is this important?
Build relationships
-Why can you build relationships with the lost by listening with care, eating together, lovingly serving?
Be bold in your witness –Why is it so important to share truth with patience in evangelism?
Jesus offers passion for life: Embrace joy and delight in the ordinary – In God’s presence and the calling of God on our life, what joys from God are available for you to embrace?
Pause and enjoy the present with God –Why is it so important to pause and enjoy God’s presence?
Pursue what makes our hearts sing – How can you distinguish passions as God transforms your heart and distractions that draw you away from God?
Apply living with passion principles to communion and benediction – What should be your passionate response to the passion of Jesus on the cross?
Sermon Resources
Posted in Next Chapter
Posted in Precision, passion, purpose, shepherd, gate, door, thieves and robbers, fullness, abundunt, God\\\'s presence, worship, faithfull, serve with humility, build community, love through difficulty, lost, pray for lost, build relationships, bold witness, passion for life, embrace joy, enjoy present, pursue herarts sing, John 10:6-10, John 6:11
Posted in Precision, passion, purpose, shepherd, gate, door, thieves and robbers, fullness, abundunt, God\\\'s presence, worship, faithfull, serve with humility, build community, love through difficulty, lost, pray for lost, build relationships, bold witness, passion for life, embrace joy, enjoy present, pursue herarts sing, John 10:6-10, John 6:11
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