LeaderLines -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Making an Impact: Our Passion
by Tom Goodman
July 31, 2008

Someone once admitted, “My get-up-and-go got-up-and-went.” And then he added, “and I want it back.”

Maybe that’s something you would have to admit as a leader: You want back the passion you once had for Christ’s way of life.

Across the next several editions of LeaderLines, we’re going to look at the actions and attitudes that can make a powerful impact on the people around you. Our series begins today with a look at the impact of your passion.

Baruch can help us here, although he shows up in only one verse of one chapter of one book of the Bible.

We find Baruch’s one-verse history in Nehemiah 3. You probably know the story of Nehemiah. Nehemiah showed up in Jerusalem decades after Jerusalem had been destroyed. When the people started to return back from Babylonian exile, it grieved Nehemiah that the walls around Jerusalem had not been rebuilt -- the people’s pride and their protection hinged on getting those walls finished.

The third chapter of the book is a chronicle of all those who rebuilt the wall. It’s one of those sections that a lot of people skim in their daily devotional readings because it’s simply a list of names and what portion of the wall they built. And right in the middle of that list, we read about Baruch:

“Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section,
from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest.”

Did you catch that word “zealously”? That ingriues me. In fact, I once brought a sermon on Baruch built around that one little word. Expect that sermon at Hillcrest one day.

“Zealously”: In this long list of who repaired which section, we get the report that one man did his work “zealously.” It was as if Nehemiah felt the need to pause in his chronicling long enough to point out the drive and the energy of this one man. You can look throughout the rest of your Bible and find nothing else about Baruch son of Zabbai. But if there was only one thing people remembered about you, wouldn’t you want it to be this?

Over and over again the Scriptures tell us to be people of passion:

1 Pet. 1:22: “love each other deeply.”
Acts 12:5: the church was “earnestly praying for him.”
Eph. 4:3: “make every effort to keep the unity.”
2 Cor. 8:7: “to excel in this grace of giving.”
Rom. 12:8: “let him govern diligently.”
1 Cor. 12:31: “earnestly desire the greater gifts.”
Titus 2:14: Jesus gave himself to redeem us and purify us so that he would have a people “eager to do good works.”

So, Baruch is a good example for us to follow. If nothing else we’ve done is ever remembered, at least let us be known as people of passion and energy.

If you need help in this area, here’s a little project. It won’t take long. Draw a simple circle on a sheet of paper, no bigger than a quarter. Print the word “TUIT” inside the circle. Then, cut it out and save it. Put it in a safe place and try not to lose it. Better yet, make a few spares and keep them around. Carry one in your pocket and put another on the refrigerator so you will always have one at hand.

Why? Because this little circle will become the answer to all your problems!

You see, so many have said, “I know I need to start serving at church, and I one day I will when I get a round tuit.” Others have said, “I’ll lose that weight or break that habit when I get a round tuit.” Maybe you’re one of those who have said, “I know I should start a daily devotional time or witness to my friend, but I never seem to get a round tuit.”

It’s time the passion for serving God returned to our lives. And with your “round tuit,” everything can change!

--Tom

LeaderLines is a weekly "e-briefing" providing valuable information and inspiration to those who serve at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

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Making an Impact: Our Passion by Tom Goodman July 31, 2008 Someone once admitted, “My get-up-and-go got-up-and-went.” And then he added, “and I want it back.” Maybe that’s something you would have to admit as a leader: You want back the passion you once had for Christ’s way of life. Across the next several editions of LeaderLines, we’re going to look at the actions and attitudes that can make a powerful impact on the people around you. Our series begins today with a look at the impact of your passion. Baruch can help us here, although he shows up in only one verse of one chapter of one book of the Bible. We find Baruch’s one-verse history in Nehemiah 3. You probably know the story of Nehemiah. Nehemiah showed up in Jerusalem decades after Jerusalem had been destroyed. When the people started to return back from Babylonian exile, it grieved Nehemiah that the walls around Jerusalem had not been rebuilt -- the people’s pride and their protection hinged on getting those walls finished. The third chapter of the book is a chronicle of all those who rebuilt the wall. It’s one of those sections that a lot of people skim in their daily devotional readings because it’s simply a list of names and what portion of the wall they built. And right in the middle of that list, we read about Baruch: “Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest.” Did you catch that word “zealously”? That ingriues me. In fact, I once brought a sermon on Baruch built around that one little word. Expect that sermon at Hillcrest one day. “Zealously”: In this long list of who repaired which section, we get the report that one man did his work “zealously.” It was as if Nehemiah felt the need to pause in his chronicling long enough to point out the drive and the energy of this one man. You can look throughout the rest of your Bible and find nothing else about Baruch son of Zabbai. But if there was only one thing people remembered about you, wouldn’t you want it to be this? Over and over again the Scriptures tell us to be people of passion: 1 Pet. 1:22: “love each other deeply.” Acts 12:5: the church was “earnestly praying for him.” Eph. 4:3: “make every effort to keep the unity.” 2 Cor. 8:7: “to excel in this grace of giving.” Rom. 12:8: “let him govern diligently.” 1 Cor. 12:31: “earnestly desire the greater gifts.” Titus 2:14: Jesus gave himself to redeem us and purify us so that he would have a people “eager to do good works.” So, Baruch is a good example for us to follow. If nothing else we’ve done is ever remembered, at least let us be known as people of passion and energy. If you need help in this area, here’s a little project. It won’t take long. Draw a simple circle on a sheet of paper, no bigger than a quarter. Print the word “TUIT” inside the circle. Then, cut it out and save it. Put it in a safe place and try not to lose it. Better yet, make a few spares and keep them around. Carry one in your pocket and put another on the refrigerator so you will always have one at hand. Why? Because this little circle will become the answer to all your problems! You see, so many have said, “I know I need to start serving at church, and I one day I will when I get a round tuit.” Others have said, “I’ll lose that weight or break that habit when I get a round tuit.” Maybe you’re one of those who have said, “I know I should start a daily devotional time or witness to my friend, but I never seem to get a round tuit.” It’s time the passion for serving God returned to our lives. And with your “round tuit,” everything can change! --Tom LeaderLines is a weekly "e-briefing" providing valuable information and inspiration to those who serve at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Do you know friends who would appreciate LeaderLines? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to LeaderLines? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.