03/16/03 - "Keep the Fire Going" - by Pastor Mike Baker

Importance of passionate worship: Seven Words

1. Purposeful - Why do we begin with worship?
   1. an act to honor God, that He is greater than we are - needs to be a recognition that we need God in our life
   2. worship is the first fruits of our heart
   3. worship at the beginning prepares the way for what God wants to do in the service. Heb 10:24-25
2. Personal
   • even though in public forum, it is still a personal thing.
     • Col 3:2 "You set it..."
     • Ps 31 "I will..."
   • for worship to be worship, it must come from the heart
3. Passionate
   • Mk 12:28 - all of your heart, mind, soul and strength.
   • Ro 12:1-2 - we are not to conform to the world to the point where God does not have the freedom to do what he wants to do.
   • II Samuel 6:20-23 & Lev 6:12 - do not let the fire go out.
   • the enemy is consistently trying to lessen the importance of worship, to dampen the passion.
     • the enemy wants us to be worn down by the things of the world
     • then we get spiritually tired & our mind begins to wander - where we are trying to figure things out on our own.
   • II Tim 1:6 - "rekindle"
   • Fire produces heat
     1. hunger to be filled
     2. expectancy - Mt 7 - seek and you will find - expectation of the response of God
     3. adoration - loving God ardently and knowing God loves & accepts. God adores us.
     4. tenacity - seek and keep-on seeking. Jer 29:13 - minds stayed on alert. Also, recall Jacob wrestling with the angel until he received a blessing.

Regardless of what comes our way, the Lord infuses us with strength.

... to be continued.