Ephesians 3:14-21 — The Fuel for Passion
Mark Mullery
“God dealt with him as if he had been exceedingly angry with him, and as though he had been the object of his dreadful wrath. This made all the sufferings of Christ the more terrible to him, because they were from the hand of his Father, whom he infinitely loved, and whose infinite love he had had eternal experience of. Besides, it was an affect of God’s wrath that he forsook Christ. This caused Christ to cry out…”My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” This was infinitely terrible to Christ.” Jonathan Edwards
“Peter here prescribes a remedy for lowness of spirits and for general depression. That remedy is, to take a deeper interest in the things of God, to give ourselves more intensely to the consideration and contemplation of them. … If we did search them out, we should be greatly cheered and comforted. Our minds would be taken off those trials which now so often vex us; we should be lifted high above them, we should not travel slowly and painfully over this rough road, and have our feet cut with every sharp flint, and our spirit pierced with every Sore trial; but we should rise, as on eagle’s wings, and ride on the high places of the earth, and rejoice in the Savior who has done such great things for us.” Charles Spurgeon
Categories: Retreat08
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1 Peter 1:10-12 — The Guide To Passion
Mark Mullery
“For Paul the ‘power of the Spirit is not only for more visible and extraordinary manifestations of God’s presence, but also (especially) for the empowering necessary to be his people in the world, so as to be true reflections of his own glory.” Gordon Fee, God’s Empowering Presence, p. 695.
“Apart from the power of God Christians will have too little appreciation for the love of Christ.” D. A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation, p. 193.
Categories: Retreat08
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Parents, if you lost the cards from the retreat, here are the discussion questions that we handed out:
SESSION 1 . . . The Object of Passion
Colossians 1:15-20 . . . Steve Whitacre
- What are you most looking forward to about this retreat?
- How have you been praying for this retreat?
- Is there anything on your mind that would keep you from enjoying this retreat fully?
- What would you say you are most passionate about?
- Read Colossians 1:15-20 together. What did you learn about Jesus that you didn’t know before?
- From everything we heard about who Jesus is, what is most amazing to you? How can these verses help you grow in passion?
- Why is reconciliation with God so important? Do you believe you have this reconciliation? Why or why not?
SESSION 2 . . . An Enemy of Passion
Mike McKinley & Steve Whitacre
- What was your session about?
- When you think of “cool” what comes to mind?
- Why is the “concern for cool” an enemy of passion? What is the effect on a person’s relationship with God if they are overly concerned with being cool?
- What should Christians desire more than being cool?
- Why is church membership important?
- As you think of your future 5, 10, 20 years from now, does it include membership in the local church? How do you need to rethink your future aspirations?
- How can you prepare yourself now to be a good member of a local church?
SESSION 3 . . . The Overflow of Passion
Luke 7:36-50 . . . Mike McKinley
- How has God met you so far?
- What do you love? Why do you love what you love?
- Do you love God? Why should you love God?
- Read Luke 7:36-50 together. Why were Simon’s actions towards Jesus so rude? Why did the sinful woman’s actions towards Jesus appear so scandalous?
- What do you do when you’ve sinned?
- How would you describe your love for Jesus right now? Can you name any ways that your love for Christ has overflowed in evangelism? In fellowship? In holy living?
- How do you need to be more acquainted with the depth of your sin?
- What do you need to do to “dwell where the cries of Calvary can be heard”?
SESSION 4 . . . The Guide to Passion
1 Peter 1:10-12 . . . Mark Mullery
- How has the retreat been for you so far? How has God been meeting you?
- Read 1 Peter 1:10-12 together. What do these verses teach us about what to do in trials?
- In your own words, what is the gospel? How do we respond to the gospel?
- What parts of Scripture have not seemed relevant or meaningful when you read them? How did Mr. Mullery’s message adjust your thinking?
- Mr. Mullery asked the question, what are you looking forward to in life? How would you answer that question? What should you be looking forward to?
SESSION 5 . . . The Fuel for Passion
Ephesians 3:14-21 . . . Mark Mullery
- How did God meet you during the worship and ministry?
- Was there a prophetic word or a song that was particularly meaningful?
- Who did you pray for and what did you pray for them?
- Did God grant you conviction in any meaningful ways?
- Is there anything you need to tell me?
SESSION 6 . . . The Commitment to Passion
Colossians 1:21-23 . . . Steve Whitacre
- What was a highlight from the retreat for you?
- How did the five15 Challenge go for you? Who did you get to know that you didn’t know before?
- What did you learn?
- What is one way you’ve been encouraged while here on the retreat?
- What is one area in which you are experiencing conviction to change?
- What is one step you’re going to take to change in that area? How can I help you make progress in that area?
- What is one way you’ve grown in passion on this retreat?
- What are you going to do at home to continue growing in passion?
Categories: Discussion Questions, Retreat08, Thursday Thoughts For Parents
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This morning I read these words in Romans 12:
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Of course this made me think of the time we spent praying for one another during the worship and ministry night to receive spiritual gifts. What has come of that prayer for you so far? If you think you may have been gifted with faith, service, leadership, acts of mercy, or other spiritual gifts, here’s an opportunity to put it into practice:
Friday night, the International Friendship Connection (a ministry at GMU that we work with) is hosting a picnic for international students. Many of these students speak little English, and are eager to get to know English-speaking Americans as a way to learn the language. You can help by coming and being a conversation partner with these students. A great opportunity to serve and show the love of Christ in a practical way. Details:
- WHEN: Friday, August 29, 4:30pm
- WHERE: Providence Park, Fairfax
- GET INVOLVED: Contact Joshua Taylor, or email the blog, and I’ll get you in touch with him.
Categories: five15 blog
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Luke 7:36-50 — The Overflow of Passion
Mike McKinley
“God is the highest good of the reasonable creature, and the enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows, but God is the sun. There are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.” Jonathan Edwards
“Our sin must be extremely horrible. Nothing reveals the gravity of sin like the cross. For ultimately what sent Christ there was neither the greed of Judas, nor the envy of the priests, not the vacillating cowardice of Pilate, but our own greed, envy, cowardice, and other sins, and Christ’s resolve in love and mercy to bear their judgment and so put them away. It is impossible for us to face Christ’s cross with integrity and not feel ashamed of ourselves. Apathy, selfishness, and complacency blossom everywhere in the world except at the cross. There these noxious weeds shrivel and die. There they are seen for the tatty, poisonous things they are. For if there was no way by which the righteous God could righteously forgive our unrighteousness, except that he should bear it himself in Christ, it must be serious indeed…” John Stott
In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopped my wild career.
I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agony and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
As near His cross I stood.
Sure, never to my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke.
My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair,
I saw my sins His blood had spilt,
And helped to nail Him there.
A second look He gave,
which said,
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou mayst live.”
Thus, while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.
- John Newton
Categories: Retreat08
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