How to Motivate Our Hearts
SUNDAY Worship Service: FEBRUARY 2, 2025
How To Motivate Our Hearts
Rev. Jason Noh
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
Intrinsic Motivation
Opening: The motivation of the heart moves our lives.
“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.” (v.3)
Cultivating the motivation of the heart.
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” (v.5)
7 levels of moral decision-making (The God-shaped Heart, Timothy R. Jennings)
1st level: Reward & Punishment
2nd level: Exchange, Return
3rd level: Social Conformity
4th level: Law & Order
5th level: Love for other people
6th level Principle based living, Living in harmony
7th level: Understanding God’s heart and design
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b)
Understanding what destroys healthy motivation.
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (v.7)
a. Learn how to play
The Anxious Generation (Jonathan Haidt)
b. Learn how to process
“We have overprotected children in the real world and under-protected them in the virtual world.” (Jonathan Haidt)
Healthy motivation comes from Healthy Identity.
Identity – Purpose, Calling, Meaning
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” (v.8-9)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)
People Pleaser vs. Lord Pleaser
Closing: We need to cultivate and protect our hearts until the end.