Curb Your Enthusiasm

A)  There is a comedy series on HBO called Curb Your Enthusiasm, maybe you’ve seen the television ads. 

1)     I’venever seen the show, but it is written and produced by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David who produced the Seinfeld Show.

2)     Ionly want to borrow the title this morning.  Our lesson is entitled Curb Your Enthusiasm.  There is nothing Satan would love morethan for you to Curb Your Enthusiasm.

3)     If Satan can arrange for us to be toned down…to curb our enthusiasm, we’ll becomenominal in our effectiveness. 

a)                 We won’t be very productive.

b)                 We won’t have much impact on our world.

c)                 We won’t pose much of a threat to him.

d)                 And most of all, we won’t enthusiastically promoteJesus to those around us.  Youcan’t sell something you aren’t sold on yourself.

The Message Romans 12:11-13  Don'tburn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master,cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needyChristians; be inventive in hospitality.

B)                 Five ways to kill your passion: things that will drain your enthusiasm:

1)    StarveYourself of Spiritual Nourishment

2)    Become Disconnecte

a)                 It’s the banana that leaves the bunch that getspeeled. 

b)                 Passion must flourish in community…in connectedness.

3)     Forget Your Function (purpose)

a)                 Paul gives us a clue on our home text in Romans 12: 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep yourspiritual fervor, serving the Lord. [12] Be joyful in hope, patient inaffliction, faithful in prayer. [13] Share with God's people who are in need.Practice hospitality.

1.                   Notice all the actions that proceed from being passionate.

4)    Take YourEyes Off of Jesus

  a.    Revelation 3:20 - The cure to lukewarmness…which is a lack of passion, it to put Jesus back at the center of everything 

5)    Spend Time with Negative Influences

a)                 People without passion don’t want you to be passionate.

C)                  The rest of the story.  Video clip.

        We aren’t running alone. "That's my son out there," he yells back tosecurity, "and I'm going to help him."

"I'mhere, son," Jim says softly, hugging his boy. "We'll finish together."