New Church Blueprints Tab #3 Divine Call & Passion

The Development of Biblical Passion Is biblical passion (spiritual desire) something that can only be "caught"? Can biblical passion be "taught"?

The Relationship Between Doubt & Spiritual Desire 1. There can and should be no doubt or question within your mind that, with God's power, you can achieve those spiritual desires that God has placed within your heart.

The Relationship Between Doubt & Spiritual Desire 2. God would never have given you specific Christ-centered desires unless He knew YOU would be capable of achieving them.

3. Each of us has a God-given, built- in “governor.” Paul teaches that our desires are modified by our abilities and spiritual leadings. The Relationship Between Doubt & Spiritual Desire

“God is at work in you, to will and to do, according to His good purpose.” -- the Apostle Paul Centered in God’s will, your burning spiritual desire CAN and SHOULD become reality! Philippians 2:13

Six Steps In Developing Biblical Passion 1. Begin this process with prayer and waiting on God. Don't just talk, listen. Record the impressions that God gives you as you seek His vision for your life.

Six Steps In Developing Biblical Passion 2. Be very definite and exact concerning what you believe God wants you to achieve. 3. Determine exactly what He wants YOU to do to achieve it.

Six Steps In Developing Biblical Passion 4. Create a detailed plan for achieving your God-given desire…and act on it! 5. In very specific detail, write everything out.

Six Steps In Developing Biblical Passion “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through your lips and your fingertips.” -- Dr. J.B. Chapman 6. Regularly review your God-given plan.

Keep perfecting your plan. Seek to be led by the Lord in His will. As His Spirit confirms His plans for you, SEE in your mind’s eye, and FEEL in your heart and BELIEVE with your will that your God-given desires have already begun to be fulfilled and that GOD HIMSELF is big enough to do it!

“The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it!” -- The Apostle Paul 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“Through the power of a God-given vision and the SPIRITUAL DESIRE that God grants to those who long for it, God can and does give to people who seek it, that "something" within them which recognizes no such word as impossible and that inner power that accepts no such reality as failure!”

4 Passion Questions Every D.S. Would Like Answered! 1. How is desire placed in people? 2. Can we do something to “birth” it? 3. Is it simply a “gift” that some get? 4. Can passion be “taught?”

4 Questions We Will Try To Answer 1. Where does passion come from? 2. How is passion developed in us? 3. What are the biblical requirements for developing a God-pleasing passion? 4. What are the tangible benefits of having biblical passion?

A. Biblical passion recognizes that its source is…God. Paul says, “I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:29) 1. Where does biblical passion come from?

B. Biblical passion will lead us to seek and find…God. God says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) “My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.” (Isaiah 26:9)

A. Biblical passion is created within us by...God’s Word. “…his word is in my heart like a burning fire, shut up in my bones, I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9) 2. How is biblical passion developed within us?

“…my heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue…” -- David Psalm 39:3-4

B. Biblical passion must be… regularly rekindled. “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously, it must not go out.” (Leviticus 6:13) “…I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you...” -- the Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 1:6)

A. Biblical passion must focus on God’s approval alone. “Why do you seek praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise of the one and only God?” -- Jesus (John 5:44) 3. What are the biblical requirements for developing a God-pleasing passion?

B. Biblical passion requires focus. “…but one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward…” -- Paul (Philippians 3:14)

C. Biblical passion requires developing personal discipline. “…Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” -- Paul (1 Corinthians 9:25)

A. Biblical passion results in a promised blessing from God. “Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.” -- David (Psalm 119:2) 4. What are the tangible benefits of having biblical passion?

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” -- Jesus Matthew 5:6

B. Biblical passion makes us achievement conscious. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. (YOU) Run in such a way as to get the prize.” -- Paul (1 Corinthians 9:24)

C. Biblical passion creates within us a sense of urgency. “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” -- Jesus (John 9:4)

D. Biblical passion will nourish and strengthen us. “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)

E. Biblical passion will cause us to have spiritual vision. “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” -- Jesus (John 4:35)

F. Biblical passion will develop within us people passion. “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” -- Paul (Romans 10:1)

G. Biblical passion keeps our priorities straight. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth.” -- David (Psalm 73:25)

One Basic Life Principle “If you really want to find your life, you must lose it.” -- Jesus (Luke 9:24) Any worthwhile accomplishment in life has a price tag on it.

Desire -- One Basic Issue The desire issue finally reduces itself to one basic issue. Desire is measured by…how much you are willing to pay in terms of hard work, patience, faith and endurance to obtain it. Now is the time for you to go for it! Don’t wait, act!

“…whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, working for the Lord and not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord you are serving!” Colossians 3:23-24