Igniting Fresh Passion (2)                      29 January 2006

 

1. Introduction

 

John 2:17.  “The zeal of your home has eaten me up.”

            Zeal = 2205 = to boil; glow with heat, i.e. boiling love, anger.

            Eaten = 2719 = to consume, totally engulf in flames.

Luke 7:37-50.  “To whom little is forgiven loves little.”

Passionate Love =    (i) Sacrifice – not holding back

                                 (ii) Expressive

                                 (iii) Respect and Honour – places his value.

                                 (iv) Truth – nothing covered, vulnerable.

 

2.  Passion Can be Lost.

 

Revelation 2:1-7.  Message to the Church at Ephesus – left 1st Love.

·         Works reveal our faith – our heart condition.

·         First Love is important to God.

Jer 2:2.  “I remember how eager you were to please me us a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through barren deserts?” (TLB)

                              = to lay it aside in favour of something else.

2Cor 11:2-3.  I am anxious for you with the deep concern of God himself, anxious that your love should be for Christ alone, just as a maiden saves her love for one man only, for the one who will be her husband…I fear you will be led away from your pure simple devotion to our Lord. (TLB)

 

Why People Lose their Passion

(i) Conflicts that are resolved e.g. David/Michal

·                     Disappointments                                 •              Ridicule

·                     Offence                                               •              Unresolved issues accumulate

·                     Guilt                                                                   and the Heart closes up

·                     Shame

 

(ii) Compromise – i.e. something that endangers the relationship

James 4:4.  Adulterers…Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God.  Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God”

                                  - to be consumed with a passion for Christ and His kingdom

 

(iii) Control – any ungodly restraint that holds a person back

- ‘shut down’; with holding; meaningful words and actions of love and gratitude.

·         No longer vulnerable, no longer expressive, no longer extravagant

·         Still in relationship but no fire of passion burning.

 

3. How to Restore 1st love.

Example.  Luke 7:47.  To whom little is forgiven – loves little

·         The woman’s passion was ignited out of her personal encounter with Jesus love, acceptance and forgiveness – she was full of gratitude.

(i) “Remember” (Rev 2:5)

 

(ii) Repent (Rev 2:5)

(iii) Do the 1st Works (Rev 2:5)