October 9, 2005

 

Twelve Ordinary Men

The Apostle of Passion

Luke 9:51-56

Opening Words: They were not saints. They were not scholars. They were not even religious sages. Among them there were fishermen. There was a hated tax collector and a political zealot. Let me say this clearly. They were common men with an uncommon calling. They were hopelessly human and that is exactly why they speak to us! Today, you are going to hear sermon number four in a ten part sermon series I have called Twelve Ordinary Men.

Each week we are going to look at a different disciple. Today, we are going to look at James. While he was one of the inner-circle, we know very little about him. He never stands alone in the Gospel accounts, but he is always paired with his younger brother, John. However, it is safe to say that James was a man of passion. There is nothing inherently wrong with passion but passion without wisdom and knowledge is dangerous. Passion without sensitivity is cruel. That is what James teaches us today. Let me call this message The Apostle of Passion. This is my question for you today, are you passionate about Jesus?

Introduction

David Hume, the 18th century British philosopher, rejected historic Christianity. He once met a friend hurrying along a London street and asked where he was going. The friend said he was off to hear the great George Whitfield preach. Hume said, "Surely you don't believe what Whitfield preaches do you?" "No, I don't, but he does." Let there be no doubt about it. George Whitfield was passionate about Jesus! Being passionate about Jesus does matter.

Webster defines passion as, “An intense or overpowering emotion such as love, joy, hatred, or anger.” Let me begin by asking you a simple question. What are you passionate about? How many of you are passionate about the Cleveland Browns or the Pittsburgh Steelers? Are brown and orange or black and gold the primary colors in your clothes closet? Are you passionate about your family? How much time and money are you sacrificing for a family member, in the name of love? Are you passionate about gardening or the latest fashion craze? Are you passionate about your car or the price of gas to keep it going? Are you passionate about your home or the price of gas to keep it warm? Are you passionate about America? Are you passionate about Jesus? What are you passionate about?

Today, my goal is simple. I want to help you discover if you are passionate about Jesus. Being passionate about Jesus is not an option for a disciple. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ then you should be passionate about Jesus. In 2 Timothy 1:6 Paul writes, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands.” Do you need to fan those flames in your life? Are you passionate about Jesus? So if you are ready to get a little excited about Jesus say, “Amen!”

Body

Today, we look at the disciple James. Let me say it clearly. He was passionate about Jesus. This morning’s scripture text illustrates that passion. The only thing that James really had going for him was passion for Jesus. The man was not really qualified for church work. He lacked spiritual vision. He just didn’t get it until Pentecost. James was not a team player. He was out for number one. He also lacked form of patience or compassion. He was not really qualified for church work but he went on to be considered one of the greats in the history of the church.

How was his transformation possible? One word: PASSION. In every Biblical story that mentions James, he is standing near Jesus because he was passionate about the Master. He was near Jesus when Peter’s mother-in-law was healed. He was standing near Jesus when Jarius’ daughter was resurrected. He was standing near Jesus at the transfiguration. He was with Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane. In this morning’s scripture lesson, James is standing near Jesus when the Master decides it is time to go to Jerusalem. Do you know what? If you are going to spend that much time with Jesus it is going to change you. James was spending time with Jesus because he was passionate about Jesus. How much time are you spending with Jesus? Are you passionate about Jesus?

One of the great churches in the history of the world was the church at Ephesus. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is the prefect model for any local congregation. Every new pastor should study that letter before he or she preaches his or her first sermon. The scriptures tell us Paul, himself, visited Ephesus on his first missionary journey and it became the center of his ministry. Paul had a special connection with those people. One of the last things Paul did was write a word of encouragement to them. No wonder Paul loved this church! It was a great soul winning church, whose very heart was Jesus. They were passionate about Jesus! Yet, something went very wrong.

Forty years after Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians, John had a revelation. In that revelation the church at Ephesus is mentioned. The church is functioning administratively but the church had changed. The church is no longer consumed  with winning souls for Jesus but the church is consumed with church work. John warns them to reinstate their first love or die. Today, there is no church in Ephesus. The church at Ephesus died for one reason. They died because they lost their passion for Jesus. There are many churches in our society who are just like that ancient church in Ephesus. How many once booming churches are now on the critical list because they lost their passion for Jesus?

On July 1, 1995 four churches closed in the city of Youngstown. Two of those churches were the Indianola United Methodist Church and Fosterville Presbyterian Church. At one time in history they were two thriving congregations. So why did they close? Through the eyes of God they did not close because their neighborhood changed. They did not close because the congregations got old and died. They did not close because the people were no longer interested in Jesus or they had a poor administrative style. They closed for the same reason that the church at Ephesus closed. They lost their passion for Jesus.

Without passion for Jesus you have the right words and formalities but you have no power to make an impact. Without passion for Jesus worship just becomes a performance or a gig. Without passion for Jesus churches become luke-warm and drift into just playing church. Without passion for Jesus churches become overwhelmed with maintaining both buildings and programs and do no real ministry. Let me say this clearly. Passion for Jesus is important! It is indispensable. Passion for Jesus is a gift of the Holy Spirit. We need to place the words of In 2 Timothy 1:6 across every door frame of every church, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God.” How passionate are you about Jesus?

Today, I want to ask you four quick questions. If you answer these questions honestly, then you will know if you are passionate for Jesus.

Do you make excuses for not making a bold witness for Jesus? Are you comfortable about talking for Jesus? Are you doing things that glorify Jesus? Do you hold the values and opinions that Jesus would hold? Do you make excuses for not making a bold witness for Jesus?

Do you know God’s purpose for your life? Are you excited about everyday? Or are you at the maintenance level of life? Do you see your place in the big picture? Have you fallen in love with yourself? Do you know God’s purpose for your life?

Do you spend too much time worrying about others? Are you consumed with what your neighbors think about you? Are you consumed with what your family thinks about you? Do you make decisions based on how it will look to others? Do you spend too much time worrying about others?

Do you leave church frustrated? Are you relieved church is over every week? Is there something about church that drives you crazy? The organ is played too loud. The organ is played to slow. The room temperature isn’t right or someone left the lights on in the bathroom! Do you leave church frustrated?

How did you answer those questions? If you are passionate about Jesus then you will want to be a witness for Jesus. If you are passionate about Jesus then you know God has a purpose for you. If you are passionate about Jesus then other people should not matter that much. If you are passionate about Jesus then church is a good place because you get to spend some time with the Master! How passionate are you about Jesus?

Conclusion

Rev. E.V. Hill told of an African American woman down South who was attending an all white church. The white people were quiet and conservative. The pastor said, “Jesus is the Son of God.” She stood up and shouted, “Yes He is!” An usher came over to her and said, “I’m sorry, but we don’t do that here.” She said, “But I got religion, but I’ll keep quiet.” Then the pastor said, Jesus died for our sins.” This lady said, “Yes He did!” But early Sunday morning my Savior walked out of that tomb!” Two big ushers came over and grabbed her and started to drag her out. All the while she shouted, “Praise the Lord!” The ushers asked: “Why are you saying that?” She said, “Well Jesus rode in on one, and I’m riding out on two!”

This is an incredible time to be in the ministry. It is not the same old thing. Bill Easum of Easum and Bandy Associates says there are churches worshipping across our country today, which are already dead. Their window of opportunity is closed. They are just going through the motions. Any real ministry is already gone. I believe he is correct.

We have churches that are failing and churches that are already closed. The future does not look bright. Everyone is asking, “What do we need to do to fix this mess?” We do not need a new stewardship program. We do not need money to maintain our buildings. We do not need a bus to transport the young and the old. We do not need a better advertising program or a fancier website. The preachers do not need even more continuing education events. We can help those churches with one word: PASSION. I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God. They need some people who are passionate about Jesus like James and the woman’s in E.V. Hill’s story. And do you know what? We need people who are passionate about Jesus! How passionate are you about Jesus? And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”