February 28, 2010 - John Sprecher - Renew the Passion

February 28, 2010
Renew the Passion 
Pastor John Sprecher

 

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RENEW THE PASSION
Text: Rev. 2:1-7
Introduction: Passion is the difference between existence and exhilaration.  In family and with God, passion changes how we live and work together. This text illustrates people who were going through all the motions, but had no real joy or passion in doing so.  Jesus calls them back to the first love they once experienced.

  1. REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE
    1. What was your response to the object of your affection?
      1. Wanted to be together
      2. Wanted to share your joy with others
      3. Considered her/his needs and desires above your own
      4. Keep courting long after the marriage
    2. What was it like when you came to know Jesus?  (Eph. 1:1-15)
      1. Grace and peace
      2. Chosen in Him
      3. Accepted in the beloved
      4. Sealed with the Holy Spirit
      5. Love for all the saints
        1. Real love gives itself away
  2. FORGIVE THE FAILURES
    1. Start with God (Jeremiah 12:1-5)
      1. Why do wicked men prosper
      2. Wicked are near with mouth, but far in heart
      3. What about all the good I have done
      4. Don’t be discouraged
      5. Commission or omission, prevention or redemption
    2. Accept God’s forgiveness and become a forgiven forgiver (Eph. 4:32)
    3. The degree we are forgiven by God is in direct correlation to how we forgive our brothers (Matthew
    4. 6:14-15)
    5. Forgiveness is releasing my rights to God (Rom. 12:17-21)
    6. When you don’t get a response (Matthew 18:15-17)
  3. DEVELOP A THANKFUL HEART
    1. Turn irritations into celebrations
      1. Many times the irritants help us grow
    2. Jesus commended a thankful heart
      1. Only one leper returned to give thanks (Luke 17:11-19)
    3. Giving of thanks is the will of God (I Thess. 5:18)
    4. Enjoy the journey– someday may never come
  4. DON’T  ALLOW COMPETITORS FOR YOUR AFFECTION TO GAIN A FOOTHOLD IN YOUR HEART
    1. Most significant part of the marriage ceremony
      1. “Forsaking all others, cling to the other with a love that never fails.”
      2. Man to leave father and mother and cleave to wife (Gen. 2:24-25)
    2. Our affection can be captured by anything that replaces its proper expression
      1. Pornography to fantasy (Job 31:1)
      2. Addictions to busyness
      3. Avoid comparisons
    3. God’s frustration with Israel over spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:1-18)
      1. Israel and Judah both involved in idol worship
      2. A day envisioned when they would return to the Lord
    4. Do a spiritual/emotional inventory
      1. Which relationships am I most passionate about
      2. Which relationships am I most committed to
      3. Which relationships deserve focused time and energy
      4. Which relationships have the greatest long-term reward potential
      5. What do I need to adjust in my life to focus on the most important things
  5. VALUE THE RELATIONSHIP
    1. Who can find a virtuous wife? (Rev. 31:10-12)
      1. Worth more than any amount of money
      2. Can be trusted
      3. Does good for her husband
      4. The 10 cow wife in the south sea islands
    2. Getting an eternal perspective (Ps. 73:1-28)
      1. God is good to His people but we question His goodness to us
      2. Envy of the wicked create unfair comparisons
      3. God is not ignorant of the condition of man, but is merciful in executing judgment (II Peter 3:9)
      4. The view from the sanctuary changes our perspective
      5. He holds our right hand, He will receive us into Heaven
 
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