Passion

Passion: a strong, extravagant feeling toward something; an emotion
that motivates us beyond normal existence
HEBREWS 12:2-3 MSG
Keep your eyes on JESUS, who both began and finished this race
we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he
was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put
up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now
he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find
yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by
item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot
adrenaline into your souls!
Biblical Passion: a strong emotion or zeal that pushes you through
suffering to a final goal
4 Temperatures People Live in with God:

1. Cold: totally consumed with the world; God is irrelevant, church is
   irrelevant; all that matters is what’s happening in their world
2. Lukewarm: believe in God but have a half-hearted approach
   toward living for God
   REVELATION 3:15-17 NIV
   “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were
   either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot
   nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich;
   I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not
   realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
3. Warm: involved in local church, tithe and serve; have a general
   concern for others and help from time to time; have a moderate
   hunger for God, pray, read Bible and worship but generally lack any
   real passion that stirs people up around them
4. Hot: have a strong hunger for the presence of God; motivated
   beyond normal living; give and serve sacrificially; incredible love for
   people; live in a perpetual state of faith; not satisfied to just do things
   within the framework of their own strength
   “God dwells in a state of perpetual enthusiasm. He is delighted with
   all that is good and lovingly concerned about all that is wrong. He
   pursues his labors always in a fullness of holy zeal. No wonder the
   Spirit came at Pentecost as a sound of a rushing mighty wind and sat
   as tongues of fire on every forehead. Whatever else happened at
   Pentecost, one thing that cannot be missed by the most casual
   observer was the sudden upsurging of moral enthusiasm. Those first
   disciples burned with a steady INWARD FIRE. They were
   enthusiastic to the point of complete abandon!“ — A.W. Tozer, Of
   God and Men
   How Do I Get the Passion of Jesus?

1. Press into the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
   MATTHEW 3:11 MSG
   “I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a
   kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this
   drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the
   kingdom life within you, a FIRE WITHIN YOU, the HOLY SPIRIT
   WITHIN YOU, changing you from the inside out.”
2. Exchange the love of the world for the love of the things of God.
   1 JOHN 2:15-17 NIV
   Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the
   world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—
   the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes
   not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass
   away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
3. Hang out with firestarters instead of firefighters.
4. Decide to live a life that really matters