The Passion of The church

The Passion of The Church

By Apostle Felix

18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Matthew 28: 18 – 20

The church’s passion is evangelizing the lost and teach them the ways of God. This is the same passion  Christ had for the people when He was on earth. Before His death and ascension, Jesus preached and taught the kingdom of God to the people. His main occupation was reaching out to the people. He reached the people with so much passion which was motivated by compassion. He understood His mission to earth and He committed Himself to fulfilling it. Upon His departure, He passed on the mission to the church. He emphatically commanded the church to commit itself to soul winning and disciple making. He passed on the mantle of passion and compassion to the church. He commanded the church to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit before engaging in the work of the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit empowers the church to be passionate and compassionate about the lost world.

49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 

Luke 24: 49

The purpose of the Holy Spirit is not to make the people fall down when they have been prayed for, but to make them rise with passion and compassion for souls. The church in the upper room on the day of Pentecost did not fall down when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Instead, the church rose up and preached the gospel and three thousand souls were added to the church that day.

14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 

Acts 2: 14

Unfortunately, the church has lost its passion it once had for the lost souls. It is more introverted and more concerned about things Jesus was least passionate about. Jesus never called for a breakthrough seminar, or did the apostles. Breakthrough seminars and conferences are good but are not the passion of the church. Once they are turned into the passion, the church loses its compassion for the lost souls. It becomes more a maintainance centre than an outreach centre. The church will longer desire to be equipped for the work of ministry but will be more concerned about individual’s breakthroughs. The ministers of the gospel will become managers instead of trainers, whose purpose is to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

Ephesians 4: 11 – 13

Jesus equipped the twelve disciples for the work of ministry. Jesus spent all His time with the disciples equipping them for the work of ministry. He was not showing off to them how powerful He was. He was not an addict to approval. This was the reason why He never celebrated the devils’ approval of His identity like today’s prophets.

34  Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. 

35  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.

Luke 4: 34, 35

He demonstrated the power of God not be seen of men, but to make man believe in God that He loves man. The motivation of the miracles Jesus performed was compassion. He was moved with compassion for the afflicted.

14  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 

Matthew 14: 14

Where is your passion and compassion?