Passion Killers for Christian Service!
(Phil 3:10 KJV) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Phil 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Phil 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13 KJV) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
In the service of Christ there are many things that can kill our passion for service to the King. That is why Jesus said in Luke 21: 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. I want to share 11 of these ‘passion killers’ that can hinder your ministry; work and Christian walk with the Lord.
I. We can have undue worry about the ‘Cares of Life’. Jesus said in
(Mat 6:33 KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
A. If we put Him first every day we will not let the cares overtake us.
B. Mark 4: 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
C. We need to hide the Word in our hearts. (Psa 119:11 KJV) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
II. We can under-estimate God’s promise to be with us always
.
A. 4 times in the first chapter of Joshua God told him to be ‘strong and of good courage’.
(Josh 1:6 KJV) Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
Josh 1:7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Josh 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Josh 1:18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
B. Remember, He will never leave us.
(Heb 13:5 KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
III. We can doubt God’s Word. This is a passion killer.
A. We do this when we compromise.
B. We read and listen to liberal teachers.
C. Our schools are filled with unbelieving teachers and scholars.
1. Not only public schools but also many liberal teachers are found in our Bible Schools and Seminaries.
D. We must remember His Word is forever.
(Psa 119:89 KJV) LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
(Psa 119:105 KJV) NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
IV. Negative thoughts and attitude will kill our passion.
A. We must avoid such thoughts.
(Josh 1:8 KJV) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
1. It will bring ‘good success’.
2. Your walk will prosper.
B. Our attitude should be peace and joy.
(Rom 14:17 KJV) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
1. Stay filled with the Holy Spirit.
V. Another passion killer is when we have unforgiveness and bitterness in our hearts.
Heb 12:14 KJV Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
A. We must live a forgiving life.
1. Our Father in heaven is always forgiving.
We must forgive one another. (Mat 6:15 KJV) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
VI. Passion killer is when we have an unclear purpose in life and ministry.
A. We must have a vision. Prov 29:18 KJV Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Hab 2:2 KJV And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
VII. Not using the gifts (talents) God has given us.
A. We must stir up the gift. 2 Tim 1:6 KJV Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
B. Freely give and freely receive. (Mat 10:8 KJV) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
1. Be faithful.
VIII. Unbalanced schedule in your life.
A. Your relationship with God.
1. With your pastor.
2. With you family.
3. With your church.
B. Personal Bible study.
(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
C. Take time to use your gifts.
D. Always be a witness.
1. Personal.
2. Be a soul winner.
IX. A passion killer is covered sins. We have in recent times seen some great people of God stumble and fall because of this.
A. Sin will always find you out. (Prov 28:13 KJV) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
B. We need to always confess our sins and wall in the light as He (our Lord) is in the light.
X. Having an ‘unresolved conflict’ in your life is a passion killer.
Matt. 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
XI. Having a lack of Spiritual Life is a passion killer.
A. We need to have a daily prayer life.
B. We need to have a daily time of drinking the ‘milk of the Word’.
C. A time of eating the ‘Bread from Heaven’ thought personal worship.
D. A time eating the ‘meat of the Word’ through personal Bible study.
XII. 4 Passion keepers are:
A. Have a Passion for Worship.
B. Have a Passion for the Word.
C. Have a Passion for Prayer and communion with God.
D. Have a Passion for the lost.
