LOOK AT THE SYMPTONS? IS YOUR PASSION SHOWING?
ARE WE SEARCHING FOR A PASTTIME? OR A GREAT PASSION?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
INTRODUCTION: Why are many talking about a young boy named TIM TEBOW?
Tim has a great passion...
I. CAN WE HEAR THE CRY OF THE WORLD?
DOES THE CRY OF THE CHURCH DIFFER VERY MUCH FROM THE CRY OF THE WORLD?
A. HEAR THE CRY TO AMUSEMENT?
WE WANT TO PLAY GAMES? We want to have fun...
B. FREE OR CHEAP ENTERTAINMENT?
KJV
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
[9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
NIV
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
[8] Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
[9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout
the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
PEOPLE are looking for a way of amusement, a PASS TIME? ENTERTAINMENT?
Amuse: TO DIVERT ATTENTION, to occupy, to entertain in a light, playful, pleasant matter.
To appeal to the sense of humor or pleasure.
II. THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS HAS SOME VERY IMPORTANT LESSONS TO STUDY...
THE LESSONS OF THE 7 CHURCHES IS POWERFUL... 6 CHURCHES HAVE SOME GOOD
POINTS... THE 7TH CHURCH DOES NOT... EACH OF THE SEVEN HAVE SPIRITUAL SYMPTOMS...
1. The church of EPHESUS was an ACTIVE church, she was sound in DOCTRINE...
but the church of EPHESUS was LACKING IN LOVE... Rev. 2:1
2. The church of SMYRNA was filled with poor people, but God saw her as a RICH CHURCH.
Rev. 2:8-11
3. The church at PERGAMOS was full of FALSE DOCTRINE and DISAVOWED TRUTH.
Rev. 2:12
4. The church at THYATIRA was so hungry for spiritual things and signs, the church
fell for false dreams, lying messages, itching ears, the swallowed fish line and sinker
for THE PROPHETESS SPIRITS. Rev. 2:18-27
5. The church at SARDIS was so sad, it was a dying church bond by traditions, formalism...
HALF-HEARTEDNESS. Rev. 3:1-6
6. The church of PHILADELPHIA... THE LOYAL CHURCH... She loved Jesus Christ, tried
to stay pure, ... Rev. 3: 7-13
7. THEN WE COME TO THE 7TH CHURCH, THE CHURCH OF THE LAST DAYS...
THE LAODICEANS... the no zeal, no passion, back slidden, SELF-SATISFIED,
LUKE-WARM... (Rev. 3: 14-17)
III. 2 OF THE 7 CHURCHES REALLY SPEAK OF THE LAST DAYS...
BOTH CHURCHES OCCUR IN THE LAST DAYS AGE FRAME...
A. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF THREE KINDS OF LOVE:
1. EROS: pleasure, eye appeal, desire, 5 senses...
2. PHILEO: brotherly, family, kindness
3. AGAPEO: deep, everlasting, wide open,
B. Church #6 is PHILADELPHIA...
Rev. 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
[7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he
that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth,
and no man openeth;
[8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou
hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Rev. 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour
of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
[11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
III. PASS TIME OR PASSION CHURCH...
THE LAST CHURCH OF THE AGE IS THE WORSE CHURCH, NOTHING GOOD IS
SAID ABOUT THE LAODICEAN CHURCH... IT IS COLD, INDIFFERENT AND FULL
OF SPIRITUAL APATHY... GOD CALLS THEM TO RETURN TO ZEAL...
A. THE I HAVE IT ALL AGE: master Card, Visa, American Express.
B. 3 Bedrooms and 2 baths, nice car...
C. THE NORM IN THE CHURCH WILL BE LUKEWARM
Rev. 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
[14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the
faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
[16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and
knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
[18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine
eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
IV. HOW DOES OUR ENEMY SNEAK INTO THE HOMES AND THE CHURCHES AND STEAL...
OUR ENEMY IS TURNING THE CHURCH INTO A PASS TIME AND OUR PASSIONS ARE IGNITED
IN MANY OTHER DANGEROUS AREA...
A. THE PASSION/PASS TIME STORY IS HIDDEN IN MANY BIBLE STORIES:
1. Prodigal son
2. 10 Virgins, 5 wise, 5 foolish...
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
B. We have a rejection of truth, IF THIS IS WRONG I DON'T WANT TO BE RIGHT...
C. Rejection quits giving and BECOMES SELFISH and DEMANDING.
V. CAN PEOPLE SEE YOUR PASSION?
PASSION: The night of sufferings of Christ between the Last Supper and His death.
Emotions as distinguished from reasoning... ATTACHMENT, DEVOTION
Intense, driving, overmastering feeling or conviction...
Ardent affection... object of desire... WARM, STEADY...
Romans 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
VI. THE CHANGE? THE CHANGE WAS NOT NEW PEOPLE?
THE CHANGE WAS A NEW ATTITUDE...
Vince Lombardi played a defensive guard for Fordham University, 25 consecutive wins.
Vince Lombardi is known as one of the greatest coaches of all times, 1959-1967.
He won the first SUPER BOWL and the SECOND SUPER BOWL.
PLEDGE: WE WILL WIN...
Vince Lombardi was a new coach of the Green Bay Packers.
His starting quarter back was BARR STARR.
His first year as coach his team had 2 WINS, 8 LOST games.
Lombardi said: WINNING IS NOT A SOMETIME THING, IT IS AN ALL THE TIME THING.
You don't win once in a while,you don't do things right once in a while,
You must do them right all the time.
WINNING IS A HABIT, unfortunately, so is losing.
Lombardi said:
Every time a player hits the field, he has to play from the ground up...
From the soles of his feet right up to his head... Every part of him must want to play.
Some play with their head, but it is important you MUST PLAY WITH YOUR HEART.
And in truth, I have never known a man worth his salt who in the long run,
deep down in his heart, didn't appreciate the grind, the discipline.
There is something in good men that yearns for discipline...
Lombardi pledged:
WE WILL WIN, losers straighten up...
THIS IS A FOOTBALL ---
YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO...
WITH THE SAME PLAYERS AND THE SAME TEAM THEIR SECOND YEAR THE
PACKERS WENT 8---2. the change? ATTITUDE...
LOMBARDI KNEW YOU HAD TO HAVE A GOAL...
AND YOU HAVE TO START WITH THE BASICS...
DO WHAT WAS RIGHT--- HAVE FAITH ---- RELY ON GOD ---
LIVE LIFE WITH FERVOR... ( Feeling, intense, enthusian, passion)
John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written,
The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
KJV
Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
NIV
Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
NLT
Romans 12:11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
RED HOT PRAYERS?
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Pass it on?
