Evidence for Passion/Enthusiasm

THINKING TIME (Based on Acts 18:24-27)

QUESTIONS:

A. Was Apollos ENTHUSIASTIC/PASSIONATE about his work (Preaching the Gospel), or was he INDIFFERENT? (see v25)

B. Knowing his understanding was incomplete in v25, Can his incomplete understanding be used as evidence against his enthusiasm/passion/conviction? (some people in the world think this way).

C. Would Apollos' growth in understanding and ability benefit more from ENTHUSIASM/PASSION in Jesus or from INDIFFERENCE?

See:
Acts 18:24-27 (NKJV)

Ministry of Apollos

24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;

The conclusion here is that passionate people are not perfect, but they ARE being perfected over time by grace! We will not reach full perfection until the resurrection, but we are still in the PROCESS of BEING perfected in Christ until that time!

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Be sure to reject the world's lie from the devil that you are not passionate about the work you do just because you are not perfect in it yet. We passionate Christians always try to follow the things of the Lord. And we try to work our best in the jobs we do in the marketplace, following Col. 3:23. Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

And sometimes we honestly fail. Sometimes we have to learn a lesson more than once. But that is not evidence AGAINST your enthusiasm and passion.... that is evidence FOR it! It's that burning drive to "work unto the Lord" and to "get it right the next time" which reveals a person's level of passion/enthusiasm.

Look at Peter, who denied the Lord Three times. He was about as passionate as they come, yet he totally failed Jesus. But look at how Jesus restores Peter after the resurrection. Jesus rekindles that very same passion for God within Peter using a triple enunciation: John 21:15-17 NKJV 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs. 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Unpassionate/indifferent people give up after the slightest correction. They stop making mistakes because they stop altogether. They never grow or improve or overcome their own challenges because they don't care enough to do so. Sometimes they just stop and take a path of low resistance. They avoid the path that stimulates, even demands, growth. Peter went on to become a powerful minister of the Gospel but also made some more mistakes along the way, as we all do. But he kept learning from those mistakes, repenting, and pressing onward, accepting the Grace of God which makes us sufficient.

Dear Fellow passionate workers, Some people will hurl that hurtful lie at you and try to discourage you. They will say you are not passionate because you fail at times. And they conveniently forget their own shortcomings or overlook your strengths.

Don't let it phase you. Trust in the Lord with all your might, and keep humbly growing in ministry. Keep growing in the workplace. Keep growing in holy relationships. Be humble enough to accept correction in the workplace and in ministry. THAT'S passion. That is what "loving what you do" looks like. If you love who you serve (Jesus) and also what you do, you'll do anything to improve, and you'll keep trying. Passionate people press past their own honest mistakes until they get it RIGHT!

Some people think "passion" is a show of emotion, or an outward appearance or a set of words they say. But it is not those things. Rather, godly passion/enthusiasm is consistent faithful action/obedience.

And even if no one else is paying attention, or noticing you, God is. He loves you, and APPROVES of your growth in Christ. Let His ability work His will in your life! Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

So resist the urge to justify your passion to the doubters. God already knows that you love Him and care about what you do. Just focus on what He is doing in you to grow you and change you for the best! And resist the urge to shrink away or give up. Even the most passionate workers can feel tremendous discouragement. So spend time in prayer with Jesus. Spend time in the Word of God. Let God speak TRUTH to your spirit and minister ENCOURAGEMENT to you where others sought to kill your godly passion with a lie.

Passionate/enthusiastic humble people WANT to learn the things of God more accurately, like Apollos did. Christ is perfecting us, making us more mature... more like Him! And this growth will be reflected at home, at work, at church, and anywhere else you go.

Eph. 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ

God Bless!! Pastor Curtis

1:10 am EST Sun May 5 2019