It's the End of the World as We Know It, And I Feel...Urgency!

WNBS Recap
Characteristics the World Needs to See in Christians
May 30, 2007

What are you passionate about? Music, sports, cars, girls, good pizza, education, being a doctor, being president, horses, people, writing, reading? There are so many different things to be passionate about in life. Some are extremely important, and others are not very important in the grand scheme of the world.

One thing holds true about all our passions, whether they are only important to us or important to everyone around us: When you are passionate about something, you will live it out urgently!

A characteristic the world deperately needs to see in Christians is urgent passion.

What is there to be urgent about? What is there to be passionate about?

America is in trouble. We are headed down a path familiar to fallen cultures and civilizations that have gone before us. Jim Nelson Black wrote When Nations Die: Ten Warning Signs of a Culture in Crisis. See if you recognize America in these warning signs.

Social Decay
1. The Crisis of Lawlessness
2. The Loss of Economic Discipline
3. Rising Bureaucracy
Cultural Decay
4. Decline of Education
5. Weakening of Cultural Foundations
6. The Loss of Respect for Tradition
7. An Increase in Materialism
Moral Decay
8. Rise in Immorality
9. Decay of Religious Belief
10. Devaluing of Human Life

I see all 10 0f these warning signs growing in American life. This should give Christians urgency to rescue the world in a passionate way. We have a message of hope that we need to be passionate about and that the world deperately needs to hear and see us be passionate about.

And Satan knows this!

One of Satan's greates tools is to use our thoughts. Here are a few things he tells us about the need for passion and urgency:

1. "The world has survived without your passion and urgency for this long. Dont' you think it can survive with out it for a little while longer?"

2. Everything will be fine! You don't need to worry about your friends, your country or your world today. You can help them tomorrow!"

3. Are you the only Christian out there? Of course not! Why should you have to do this? Let someone else do it. It's not your job.

4. You just don't have time right now. You've got too many other things to do than worry about him. Just wait until you have more time.

But God says: "I want you!" You might say "who? Me?" If so, then you are in good company. Read Jeremiah 1:4-8.

In v 4-5 God tells Jeremiah, "I want you use you to change the world."

In v6 Jeremiah responds, "who, me?"

And in v7-8 God says, "Yep, but you aren't going to do it on your own authority. You will do it on my authority."

So, what authority has God given you on this urgent mission of passion he wants to send you on?

1. Going Authority-You have the authority to go wherever God sends you, no matter what other people might say. Why? Because God has sending authority! (v7)

2. Proclaiming Authority-You have the authority to say whatever God tells you to say no matte what other people might think. Why? Because it's the Word of God! (v7)

3. Emboldening Authority-You can be bold in your going and proclaiming no matter who you go to. Why? Because the Lord is with you to deliver you! (v8)

Read Jeremiah 1:9-10
God wants to use YOU to change the world...starting right where you are!

So, what's holding you back?

Which of those lies is Satan putting in your mind that is keeping you from being passionate about the word of God?

Where has God placed you for the purpose of living out the Gospel passionately and urgently?

What message has God given you to proclaim passionately and urgently?

Who has God surrounded you with that need to see the boldness of your passion and urgency?

Do you trust that God has the authority to use you?

So, what's holding you back?