How Do I Become a Passionate Follower of God

Passion is love in action.

Keirkergard (A theologian from the past) said: “The Christian Age will not die from sin, but a lack of passion.  Apathy is king: everybody has gone to sleep.”

Why do people lack passion?

1. We are option oriented, not God directed

2. We allow something precious to become familiar
   

Then Jesus told him this story: A man loaned money to two people 500 pieces of sliver to the one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” – Luke 7:41,42

3. We want acceptance and approval. We rather be liked than be truthful. 

4. Apathy increases with age
   

Things I know about passion for God

1. Passion for God determines our destiny
   

Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair.  Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.  Luke 7:d38

Key Question: How is the fire of your heart (Glowing coals, small flame, or blazing hot)

2. Passion for God increases our willpower
   

Memory Verse: After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon so of John, do you love me more than these? “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” Then feed my lambs, Jesus told him – Jon 21:15

Passion for God changes lives

Then Jesus said to the woman, Your sins are forgiven. The men at the table said among themselves. “who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace” Luke 7:48-50

Passion for God changes me from wrong

How do I Ignite passion for God

1. Accept that passion is critical

2. Pray for passion

3. Remember what God has done for you

4. Return to your first love
   

Apathy – without passion

But I have this complaint against you, You don’t love me or each other as you did at first. (Revelation 2:4)

Associate with people of Passion

If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right, but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.  (Galatians 4:18)

My next step today is to:

• Memorize John 21:15

• Take steps to rekindle my passion

• Set aside uninterrupted time to spend with God daily

• Think of who you can share Christ with [1]

Rekindle Passion that Serves

Passion is love in action

The Lord God made clothing for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.  (Genesis 3:21)

God’s passion moves Him to meet our need even when we don’t deserve it.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3,4

Passion puts others first

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be exploited. Philippians 2:5,6

Passion isn’t selfish it’s sacrificial

Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death – even to death on a cross. Philippians 2:7-8

Passion takes on the form of a servant

Passion that serves others leads to impact

For this reason. God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:9,10

Goals and values

• Values – I am to live everything in the light of the gospel, not for the Chapel or for self or for anyone or anything else but for the Lord
  

I was called to proclaim the good news that Jesus saves

[1] Message by Rick Rouse 4/6/2025

©2025 David W. Drake, President, Renewed Hope, Inc.