RENEWING YOUR PASSION FOR GOD & RECOVERING YOUR CUTTING EDGE New Hope For Your Church PDC 2016 Rick Warren June 30, 2016

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1 RENEWING YOUR PASSION FOR GOD & RECOVERING YOUR CUTTING EDGE New Hope For Your Church PDC 2016 Rick Warren June 30, 2016 Don't burn out; instead keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder! Romans 12:12 (Mes) NEVER be lacking in zeal; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 (NIV) SEEK God passionately! Deuteronomy 4:29 LOVE God passionately! Deuteronomy 6:5 SERVE God passionately! Deuteronomy 10:12 OBEY God passionately! Deuteronomy 30:2 TRUST God passionately! Proverbs 3:5 DO EVERYTHING passionately! Colossians 3:23 Success in ministry flows out 2 things: & David cared for them with a true heart and he led them with skillful hands. Psalm 78:72 (NLT) Hezekiah was a SUCCESSFUL king, because he obeyed the Lord God with all his HEART. 2 Chronicles 31:20 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. Ecclesiastes 10:10 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40 COMMON PASSION KILLERS 1. I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing! Isaiah 49:4 (NIV) You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 (TEV)

2 2. It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you ll starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest! Psalm 127:2 (LB) 3. Three Traps 1. Am I NOW trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I d not be a servant of Christ! Galatians 1:10 (NIV) 2. I have observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy! But this, too, is foolishness. Ecclesiastes 4:4 We do not dare to compare ourselves with those who think they are very important. When they measure and compare themselves... It shows that they know nothing! 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NCV) 3. How leaders are defeated: Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Proverbs 3:5-7 (Mes)

3 4. I have observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy! But this, too, is foolishness. Ecclesiastes 4:4 We do not dare to compare ourselves with those who think they are very important. When they measure and compare themselves... It shows that they know nothing! 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NCV) 5. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. Job 6:14 (NIV) 6. Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Always be alert and on your guard! 1 Corinthians 16:13 WHY? 1. BECAUSE If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT)

4 2. BECAUSE Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) 3. BECAUSE Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you AND those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16 4. SO THEN If we examine ourselves, we will not be examined by God and judged in this way. 1 Corinthians 11:31 (NLT) If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. Ecclesiastes 10:10 THE MIRACLE OF THE FLOATING AXHEAD One day the group of prophets that Elisha was in charge of complained to him, The place where we live is too small! Give us permission to go to the Jordan and cut down some trees, so we can build a place to live. All right, Elisha answered... When they arrived at the Jordan, they began to work. As one of them was cutting down a tree, suddenly his iron ax head fell in the water. What shall I do, sir? he exclaimed to Elisha. It was a borrowed ax! Where did it fall? Elisha asked. The man showed him the place, and Elisha cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the ax head float! Take it out, he ordered, and the man reached down and picked it up! 2 Kings 6:1-7 (TEV) WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU VE LOST YOUR CUTTING EDGE? 1. As one of them was cutting down a tree, suddenly his iron ax head fell in the water. What shall I do, sir? he exclaimed to Elisha. It was a borrowed ax! 2 Kings 6:5 (TEV) How can I tell when I ve lost the cutting edge of my spiritual life? 1. The love you had at first is gone. Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5 (GW) 2. I had almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith. Psalm 73:2 (NCV)

5 3. 2. ACKNOWLEDGE Where did it fall in? Elisha asked. The man showed him the exact place... 2 Kings 6:6a (TEV) It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off! Hebrews 2:1 (Mes) 3. EXPECT... so Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. The ax head floated to the top of the water. 2 Kings 6:6b (CEV) Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible. Matthew 19:26 (NLT) The Lord says, If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT) 4. REACH OUT Now get it, Elisha told him. And the prophet reached in and grabbed it. 2 Kings 6:6b-7 (CEV) I long to be able to enter your courtyard and come near to the Living God. Psalm 84:2 (Mes) You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you ve fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5 (NIV) Now bring us back to loving you, O Lord. Psalm 85:4