Living Forward
PASSION
Pastor Carl Toti
September 10-11, 2022
Bible Text
Acts 17:13-16
WORLDVIEW SEGMENT
“INFORMED TO PRAY
EMPOWERED TO ACT.”
2 Ch 28:19 (NKJV)
19 For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the LORD.
MORALITY: is a concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct.
“People do not exclusively use reason to reach moral conclusions. Rather, they have moral intuitions and attempt to use reason to justify them.”
—Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind.
Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274)
ETERNAL LAW—God’s rational purpose and plan for all things.
NATURAL LAW—Reason which separates us from rats and rocks.
HUMAN LAW—Can’t speed 70 mph in a school zone. Can be for and against human progress.
DIVINE LAW—which is discovered through revelation, by the divine decree of a just and holy God.
WHY MORALITY IS ESSENTIAL
”…something that interferes, something that stops you from having a good time. In reality, moral rules are directions for running the human machine.”
(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 69).
Acts 17:13–16 (KJV)
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred upthe people. 14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. 15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. 16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him,when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJV)
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
MAIN IDEA: In this series, I will be giving you the four P’s to living your life in a forward direction.
THE FOUR P’s
1. PASSION: GIVES YOU THE POWER TO LIVE.
2.PRAISE: GIVES YOU THE POWER TO EXPRESS YOUR LIFE.
3.PERSPECTIVE: GIVES YOU THE POWER TO CHOOSE.
4.PURPOSE: GIVES YOU THE POWER TO DREAM.
“Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it”
—Ninon de Lenclos (French courtisan)
What STIRS You?
Acts 17:16 (KJV) Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him,when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
STIRRING COMES FROM THREE SOURCES.
Your Calling.
Your calling in life should stir and ignite you.
Your Contact.
When you come in contact with certain environments what stirs you?
Your Cause.
David said, “Is there not a cause?” (1 Sam. 17:29).
What Do Others SEE In You?
Acts 9:15 (NKJV)
“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
“WHO SQUANDERS TALENT PRAISES DEATH!”
From a novel by Cynthia Ozick
Connection
Jethro
Conviction
Go!
Compassion
“…with peace.”
What’s STOPPING You?
Acts 17:17 (KJV)
“Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.”
Lack of confidence.
Lack of clarity.
Lack of courage.
