2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 4:4
As followers of Jesus, we discover our identity and purpose in God's word. We do not look to the world and continually shifting cultural norms to tell us who we are and how we should live our lives, but to the reliable, infallible, and constant truth of the bible. A passionate servant of Jesus Christ is someone who is growing in their relationship with God and a better understanding of their identity in Christ by spending regular time with God in his word.
2. Faithful Consistency
2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 25:14-30
A passionate servant of Jesus is someone who understands that God is on a mission to restore our broken world to himself through Jesus and that he has called us all to be a part of that process. As God's children, we respond joyfully to this calling by engaging in this mission with faithful consistency. Faithfulness is a condition of the heart. We are faithful to the God who has been so faithful to us. Consistency is the manifestation of faithfulness in our lives in a practical way. A passionate servant of Jesus is consistently engaged in ministry, exercising their gifts and abilities to advance God's kingdom.
3. Relational Community
Acts 2:42-47, John 13:34-35
As passionate servants of Jesus, we understand that we cannot accomplish the things God has called us to alone and that God never intended us to experience life in isolation. Just as God exists in community, we too were created to enjoy life within the context of community. Having experienced a restored relationship with God through Jesus, we now also get to enjoy restored relationships with others in the church. Our heart is to constantly share that joy with others by inviting them into relational community.
4. Lifestyle Integrity
1 Peter 2:15-16, Matthew 5:33-37
A passionate servant of Jesus is someone whose life looks the same Monday
through Friday, as it does on Sunday. We desire to be people who consistent model the fruit of the Spirit in our life and practice integrity. As those who h been saved by grace through faith, we surrender every area of our lives to tr authority of Jesus. We aren't sinless, but we are sinning less, constantly gro towards holiness and leading others in doing the same.
5. Joyful Generosity
1 Chronicles 29:10-20, 2 Cor. 9:6-7, Luke 6.38
A passionate servant of Jesus is someone who understands that the greatest expression of generosity is God sending his only son to rescue and restore the earth by laying down his life in our place. We respond to this reality by living generously as those who have discovered our greatest joy in modeling the life of Jesus. Placing the best interests of others above our own and investing our time, talents, energy, and financial resources in the kingdom through a local Church
6. Graceful Humility
Philippians 2:3-11, Luke 14:11, Matthew 20:20-28
A passionate servant of Jesus is defined by grace. Understanding the depth of God's grace expressed towards us in Jesus, having been forgiven of our sin, we freely extend grace to others. We don't do this mindlessly, but intentionally. hoping others will see the grace of Jesus in us and that we might have the opportunity to share the truth and hope of the gospel with them. Knowing the depth of our sin and that we are hopeless to save ourselves also creates humility in us, preventing us from becoming prideful or self-righteous. Instead, we trust fully in Jesus for our salvation and restoration, and humbly encourage others to do the same.
7. Missional Unity
Ephesians 4:1-3, John 17
Finally, passionate servants of Jesus are united around God's mission to restore all things to himself and expand his kingdom into the hearts of more and more people around the world by leading others into a growing relationship with Jesus. We are known as though who strive for unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ, prioritizing the things that we share in common and creating space for gracious dialogue around secondary issues where we may disagree.