Passion 2010 - Review - Part II

Part II:

Day 3: "It is a mistake to establish what you want to do before you establish who you want to be." This was the main focus Andy Stanley wanted to establish. In other words, who you want to be will impact what you do. Who you are in the inside will impact who you are on the outside: your relationships, your work, your health, etc. Hence, your doing will flow from your being. A good example would be Daniel. (Daniel 6:3-5) He had such a good persona, he couldn't be prosecuted. His outside was reflected by his inside. A good way to evaluate who you are and the reflection it makes on the outside would be to ask yourself the following question: What would you want said at your funeral? Break it down to just words. Then, ask why do you want to be remembered that way? What is affected if you are not remembered that way? What remains? What is at stake? Also what you do on the outside reflects inside. You throw away intimacy, you throw away purity. You attach yourself to material things you throw away generosity...etc. "Be the leader you are willing to follow." This is the best advice you could give yourself and others. We need to remind ourselves that what we want to become is what God wants us to be. The last thing we want is to fail God. What kind of a leader does God want you to be?

The evening session was covered by John Piper, an incredibly wise and straightforward speaker. God is perceived as an egomaniac: we must love Him more than anything. God is jealous. We are demanded that we love Him first and foremost. (Exodus 34:14) We are to love Him and only Him. Seek Him and only Him. (Deuteronomy 4:24) What is the center of Christianity? Do everything for Him! (1 Corinthians 10:31) At first, I had no clue where he was going with this, but surely enough, Mr. Piper had a point. Are you self-centered or God-centered? Saying you will be God-centered because he is YOU-centered is the same as being self-centered. God made us to magnify Himself. To be His glory. For His namesake, His power, for our salvation. (Isaiah 43:6, 48:9) God has one purpose: to redeem His people.
Eternity past: God planned our salvation. (Ephesians 1:46) For His namesake. God demands praise. There is no other way we can be happy. Remind yourself that the best moments in life makes us feel insignificant. We are presented with absolute greatness! You were made to know somebody, not to BE somebody. We were made to feel magnificent about what God has done.
Eternity future: Jesus prays for us. (John 17:24) Jesus wants us to be with Him, and experience Him.
The cross (center): God put Christ forward to take our punishment. (Romans 3:23-26) God condemned sin when Jesus was crucified. The question is why? Why did He do it like this? To show God's righteousness. H passed over former sin. "All have sinned and fall short from the glory of God." He sent His son so we could value His glory. The foundation of our salvation is based on His value. "For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great." (Psalm 25:11) "I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name." (1 John 2:12) Our sins are forgiven for His Glory.

Day 4: "Lord, we will keep our eyes on you so we can set our hearts on you." This has to be my favorite verse in all the praises we sang. The final session of passion 2010 was a reminder of what we need to leave with once we part our ways around the world. We should have the same mindset as Jesus. Life is not about being better. It is to grow and think like Christ. Imagine reacting to all situations like Him. Think about it: Jesus didn't come in to this world like a king. He didn't boast about Himself. He came and humbled Himself for all of us. He was obedient to death. To the glory of God, the father. Often we celebrate the day we became a Christian, when in reality we should be celebrating the fact that we are still following Jesus. One of the purposes for Jesus dying was to put God in the highest. We are to obey Him in His presence and His absence. (He is always there. You can't hide) We don't need anymore input from God, we need more output for Him! Forget the whole re dedication bit. Give it ALL to God and stop making so many excuses and promises. We can't, only He can... so give it all to Him! Also, we are to do everything... did you read correctly? EVERYTHING without complaining. He emptied Himself and became nothing for you and me. We are to reflect God's love in our actions, our faces, our words. What do other see in you? Can they read "God"? Remember: live a life in which those who surround you will WANT to have what you have... and I don't mean material things. Shine the love of Jesus in your face. Share the love of Jesus with others. And last but not least, praise. Praise Him at every moment everyday. Passion hasn't ended... this is just the beginning.
God bless.