A Passionate Purpose:  Let's Get Whole-hearted"

LIFE (Living In Fellowship Everyday):  We are on a relational Journey--Greater connection with God and people.

   Last week we were encouraged by the Word to expect and embrace God's opportunities
   God gives us opportunities to grow up and serve Christ. 
   We need to begin listening intently to God; know how to hear from Him, because we have a purpose and compassion compels us to fulfill that purpose! 

Question:  How will you approach your life in Christ?

Our greatest passion must be for God's love.

Passion:  to believe and receive God's love, as well as to respond and release.

1)  Believe and Receive Passion:  John 1:12-13
   God's love desires to do something (a work) in you.
   Created for God's pleasure; how does God receive pleasure from us?
   By our obedience to His eternal ways
   Until God's love is applied in our lives, we have nothing eternal to share.  It's all temporal stuff.
   Agape
   Whole--nothing is missing in God's love (totally self-giving)
   E.g.  (conversation Mom having with Dad this morning)
   God is Love
   God in Christ suffered to provide Love   (John 3:16)
   Christ lived congruent to the heart of God; it meant suffering.  You, too, will suffer when you follow Christ.

READ:  Isaiah 53:3  Christ was rejected for his love/passion!  As Christ lives in you; some people will reject you if you approach them wholehearted!

   Love/passion is God's nature (not a feeling; rather the very essence of God)
   Many people will approach God's love negatively--lack of trust.  He/she may not realize God is trying to love them through others.  God can flow     through anyone He chooses.

JOKE:  A church had to hire a new pastor. Over the protests of one vocal male member, a woman was hired as the new senior pastor.

After the new pastor had been there a few weeks, a member of the congregation offered to take the new pastor fishing. The vocal objector reluctantly agreed to allow them to use his boat and to go along.

The trio got into the boat and motored out on the lake. When they got ready to fish, they realized that all their tackle had been left on the dock. One of the men commented that he guessed they would just have to go back and get it.

The lady pastor said, "That won't be necessary," as she got out of the boat and started walking across the water toward the dock.

The old grouch said, "See I told you we never should have hired that woman! She can't even swim!"

You will experience rejection if you choose to follow Christ.  Not everyone will understand you or accept you; even other Christians may think the worst of you--keep in mind these are immature Christians who have not allowed God to place a greater Love within him/her

.
   Love a little/Risk a little bit of rejection
   Love more/Risk more
   Jesus released love whole-heartedly/Risked it all!  Risked self-protection, set down any fear, accepted possible rejection 
   READ: Hebrews 10:24, 32, 35-39 

2) Purpose:  Respond to and Release God's Passion
We need to meditate on God's love; it is there that we find our passionate provision for our purpose.

"I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wondrous works."  READ:  Psalm 145:5

"God is far more interested in our personal passion for Him than He is in our academic perceptions about Him. 
I'm not indifferent toward the value of systematic theology, or solidly grounded understanding but I believe God is far more interested in finding passionate people who desire His life and love than He is in cultivating precise people who stop after describing His being and their beliefs."
A Passion for Fullness by Jack Hayford

Purpose:  To testify to this love!

A W. Tozer said, "People who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks:  they are facing on one direction, they can never turn back, and they no longer have plans of their own.  Can you testify?