Power Point - August 31, 2005

August 31, 2005

 

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.

--Romans 9:1-2

 

We hear of athletes who play with heart. They don’t play just mentally and physically, but he or she develops a passion and energy for the sport that comes from deep down inside. Often, passion for the game is the one thing that separates the average, casual athlete from one who is great and successful.

 

Passion was also prevalent in the life of the Apostle Paul. He had a great desire to see the people of Israel—his family members—come to know Jesus Christ as the Messiah. John said of Jesus, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name…” (John 1:11-12).

 

Paul’s heart broke for his own family and for the family of Israel. Certainly his burden was for the whole world because Paul wasn’t one to settle for status quo. Instead, he moved beyond the borders and into the horizons and went everywhere sharing Jesus. We see this same example displayed all throughout Scripture—people who had a burden and passion for sharing God with others.

 

I wonder if you and I could bear the same scrutiny that Paul carried when he said, “I tell the truth, I am not lying, my conscience also bears me witness in the Holy Spirit…” The fact is, if we don’t have a burden and passion for telling others about Jesus, then our spiritual condition is in serious trouble. Ask God to remove you from being a casual, average Christian to one who is primarily concerned with sharing His message to the world.

 

WE SHOULD NEVER BECOME SO CASUAL THAT WE FORGET TO BEAR THE NAME OF CHRIST TO THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW HIM.