Pastor Rob Carlson: 
"Passion: Refusing to Settle for the Status Quo" 
series: COMPASS: Chart Your Course
Sunday, January 25, 2004 

Fulfilling God's purposes requires more than casual assent; it demands courageous and passionate allegiance. 

1 Corinthians 11:1--Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 

1. Purpose - Make your calling sure and vision clear.  

Acts 20:24--However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. 

2 Corinthians 12:15--So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 

Philippians 1:21--For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

2. Priority--Demonstrate the power of focus to get the job done.  

Philippians 3:13,14--Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

(See also Psalm 119:113; James 1:8)  

3. Pursuit--Realize that it's not just the destination that matters, but the journey.  

1 Corinthians 9:24-27--Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 

4. Perseverance--Advance through life's adversities.  

2 Corinthians 6:3-10--We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 
in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 
in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 
in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 
through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 
known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 

2 Corinthians 11:23b-28--I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 
I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 
I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 
Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 

5. Prayer--Practice God's presence; walk in God's power.  

Acts 16:22-26--The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 
After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 
Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 

Galatians 5:25--Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 

2 Timothy 4:7,8--I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 

2 Corinthians 13:11--Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 

1. When you think of people who have a passion for God, work, family, etc., what comes to your mind?
2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
   What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 
3. Paul was passionate about the things of God. 
   In what areas do you need God to fuel your passion for life, family, work and ministry? 
4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group. 

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