PASSIONATELY FOLLOW CHRIST
Pastor Corey Mantz
Woodland Church
Sunday, March 22, 2026
(Matthew 28:19-20, NLT) “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
1. Passion begins with an encounter
(Matthew 16:15, CEV) “Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say I am?”
(John 4:28, NLT) “The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”
2. Passion requires our surrender
(Mark 10:19, NLT) “you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.”
(Mark 10:21, NLT) “Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
(Luke 9:23, NLT) “Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
3. Passion grows through intimacy
(Luke 10:38-42, NLT) “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
“Thoughts of food must prompt thoughts for God. They must not distract us, but instead remind us of our purpose. Rather than focusing the mind on food, we should use the desire to eat as a reminder to pray and to reconsider our purpose.” –Donald Whitney
Growthwork
1. What am I most passionate about?
(Matthew 22:37, NLT) “Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”
2. Strengthen your relationship with God
(Jeremiah 29:13-14, Message) “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”
3. Share the Good News
(1 John 3:18, GNT) “our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.”