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True Passion: Session One 1 Samuel 16:1,6-7. The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
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True Passion: Session One1 Samuel 16:1,6-7 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
What is “passion”? • How is it different than emotions or feelings? • “True Passion” is that strong devotion to or ardent affection for Jesus, and that intense, driving, or overmastering conviction to serve His Kingdom.
Jesus said, “He who loves me, will obey me.” John 14:23. Obedience is submitting to the will or authority of another. When we are overcome by the love of God and the cross of Christ, we will obey with true passion. • It is striving and even suffering for that intense, driving conviction to serve.
I. Love is a major motivator. • Understanding David is a study of passion. • His determination to be great in God’s Kingdom was lived out in his actions & words. In Acts 13:22 Paul referred to David (by quoting or paraphrasing 1 Samuel 13:14), “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: “I have made David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” • What impresses you? • What impresses God?
II. How do I look? • Some facts about tall men and attractive children are revealing. • Beauty often has its many beasts.
III. Does beauty equal happiness? • Founded on looks, life crumbles when beauty fades. • But founded on passion fueled by love, life will shine. • A key to a life of true passion is how to accept rejection.
What about cats and dogs WHAT IS A CAT? • Cats do what they want. • They rarely listen to you. • They are totally unpredictable. • When you want to play, they want to be alone. • When you want to be alone, they want to play. • They expect you to cater to their every whim. • They are moody. • They leave hair everywhere. • They drive you nuts and cost an arm and a leg. • Conclusion: they are tiny women in fur coats.
WHAT IS A DOG? • Dogs lie around all day, sprawled on the most comfortable furniture. • They can hear a bag of food opening a block away. • But they don’t hear you when you’re in the room. • They growl when they are not happy. • When you want to play, they want to play. • When you want to be alone, they want to play. • They are great at begging. • They leave their toys everywhere. • They will love you forever if you rub their tummies. • They do disgusting things with their mouths and then try to give you a kiss. • Conclusion: They are little men in fur coats.
IV. How is your heart? • God is looking for a loving heart, a pure heart and a committed heart. • God is looking for a heart full of true passion just like His.
Effective Pastoring,Bill Lawrence on hardened hearts • Careerism marked by selfish ambition Mark 9:30-34, what are you arguing? • Shameless use of power Matthew 20:20-24, blood is thicker… • Insensitive arrogance Luke 22:14-24, whose the greatest? • Blind self confidence Mark 14:27-31, “I will not fall away.”
Conclusion What does God see when he looks on your heart? 1 Chronicles 28:9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him he will reject you forever.