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“A PASSION FOR SOULS”
by Jeff Beacham
© BEACHAM 1999

INTRODUCTION
The western world is in a time of spiritual crisis as we are barely two years into the new millennium. The nations stand in the balance and, despite the efforts of many sincere people seeking alternative solutions; only men and women of spiritual passion will avoid a spiritual crisis.

PASTORS PESSIMISTIC OVER FAITH'S FUTURE
According to the latest study by Ellison Research of Phoenix, a large majority of pastors predict that alternative religions and New Age spirituality will become more influential in the next decade. Eighty two percent of ministers expect a growing influence of non-Christian faiths and 55 percent think New Age spirituality will increase in impact in the next 10 years, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The alarming findings of a survey of Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists and Pentecostal/ charismatic ministers show many pastors are not upbeat about the future of Christianity in America. The 567 pastors polled by the Arizona organization were at their most pessimistic when asked about "overall freedom of religion in the U.S.," with 44 percent anticipating declining freedom of religion. In addition, just 41 percent predict decreasing influence of Christianity in Americans' daily lives in 2012 than it is in 2002, the AP reported. Pastors were even less likely to feel there will be a rise in "the influence of Christianity in national politics," with only 9 percent predicting increased Christian influence in that arena.

This sad indictment clearly shows the need for change in the American church. America’s true destiny lies in the hands of those who are prepared to make selfless sacrifices to see a re-awakening of ‘Christ consciousness’ in the American spirit. It’s time for the Evangelists to re-awaken!

THE POWER OF ONE!
No nation has championed ‘the power of one’ more than the United States of America. Rugged individualism has been a major component of this nation’s greatness. Despite recent efforts by revisionists, the undeniable truth is that Christianity formed the foundation of America. Nearly all the founding fathers were professing Christians.

The God of Christianity pioneered the idea of ‘the power of one’ with the principal of the seed, which is the “raison d’être” for all life. This is reinforced by Jesus in John 12:24; “ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” When a match is ignited, its energy is released through fire. In other words - it dies! But in this release of energy, there is the potential to start a forest fire! Jesus goes on to say in verse 25; “…he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” All these verses relate to the greatest demonstration of ‘the power of One’ in history; Jesus’ single act of supreme selflessness by dying on the cross released eternal life and potentially saved humanity from the power of sin for all time.

NO PASSION - NO POWER!
The Book of Acts 1:3 – 8 says; “... Now after His passion, He presented Himself alive to them by many infallible proofs appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the Kingdom of God. While staying with Him, He ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. This, He said, is what you have heard from Me. For John baptized you with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

The Gospel will be preached to the ‘ends of the earth’, but not until two major components have been completed. Number 1, passion –the Christ had to suffer. Number 2, power – the church must be empowered.

The word passion, is a very emotive word. It is used to describe everything from falling in love to being angry. However, its origin is from the Latin word “pasarre” which means simply ‘to suffer’. In other words, your passion is what you hunger for so intensely, that you will be prepared to sacrifice and suffer anything to have it. Whatever you wake up thinking about in the morning, whatever occupies your mind during the day, what you go to bed thinking about, and even the subject of your dreams - find that and you will locate the seat of your passion. Passion drives people to go way beyond normal limits, and God has given us the innate ability to be passionate about things so that we won’t be snared by the greatest enemy of the church – no, not the devil - mediocrity!.

NO SACRIFICE WITHOUT PASSION
Relocating our family and ministry from Australia to America recently has been a challenging experience for us in many ways. It has been difficult because of the change - but not hard, because we know it is His will! It was our reasonable service. We had to walk away from everything we had built up over 16 years of ministry in Australia. Passion drove us here but I count it as nothing compared to the passionate sacrifice of the Lord. What is it that drives Somebody to give up a Throne of Glory and the incredible ecstasy of being in the Presence of His Father? What motivated Him to humble Himself to die in the most painful and torturous form of execution ever conceived by the fallen heart of man? The answer is an immensely divine passion beyond any human experience or understanding!

CRUCIFIXION MORE FOR TORTURE THAN EXECUTION
The cruel strength of the Roman Empire was maintained by making examples out of rebels and criminals who were usually crucified just outside the city walls. Sometimes people were known to hang on the cross in agony for up to 6 days. They suffered and were humiliated in a way far beyond most of our present understanding. Crucifixion was more a means of torture than execution. When the Roman soldiers finally grew tired or bored of this barbaric spectacle, they broke the legs of the victim, who could no longer push themselves up to breath. Their lungs would become constricted and they died very quickly, drowning in their own body fluids.

COMFORTABLE CHRISTIANITY
Comfortable Christianity is a western concept, but it ‘s not necessarily biblical! If you’ll say you’ll do anything for Jesus but aren’t prepared to suffer for Him, then you aren’t really passionate about Him or His purposes here on earth. A large portion of the Western church is in danger of being labeled “Laodicean”- an indifferent church lacking in passion and therefore depleted in power.

Simple Gospel messages preached in many third world nations can see thousands respond to salvation. The same message preached in the West – word for word, same level of passion, will hardly see anyone respond. Why? Because the West has been inoculated with religion and become immune to the Gospel. The biggest spiritual giant to overcome is the spirit of religion. It’s going to take men and women of enormous passion to get the job done because we are at crisis point and time is short.

The challenge is clear: Evangelists must arise with a consuming passion for Christ, which gives rise to a passion for souls and a need to light that fire in the American Church again! They need to be an army filled with the power of God giving them the boldness to bring in the Harvest NOW!

JEFF BEACHAM is the President and Founder of FIREPOWER MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, an evangelistic association founded in Australia at THE HILLSONG CHURCH in 1989 and based in America since April 1999. He is also the chairman of the advisory council for THE CITY COVENANT COALITION, a network of key ministries in NEW YORK CITY. As well as conducting an itinerant ministry, Jeff writes regularly for many Christian publications and publishes a monthly e-zine called "THE FMI REPORT" that goes out to 5000 people in 25 countries (subscribe FREE at: www.firepowerint.com). He can be contacted at:

FIREPOWER MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
2 Rt. 37 W. Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone (732)349-1550 ext. 205 Fax (732)286-6311
Email: firepowerministries@attglobal.net
Website: http://www.firepowerint.com