Dec 30, 2015
The Priority of Not
Neglecting Jesus Our First Love
Jesus
Rebukes the Church at Ephesus (Revelation
2:1-7)
Christian ministry and service
should never replace our personal love and devotion to our Lord
Jesus Christ. This message is a reminder for each of us to
personally consider what priority we individually place on our
personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our obedience to His Word,
and whether or not we are neglecting Jesus as our “first love”
(Rev. 2:4).
This sermon is not intended to
needlessly offend Christians, nor is it an attempt to drive people
into more “service” for the Lord. Rather, it is a compelling
message intended to encourage believers to
remember the goodness of the Lord, to repent from
spiritual apathy, and to love Jesus and adore Him, thereby
returning to Him as one’s first love - in sincerity and in
truth.
Scriptures:
Revelation 1:1-2:7; Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18, 24; 2:9;
1 John 5:4-5.
Revelation 2:1-7
(KJV) - 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;
These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right
hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou
canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which
say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3
and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast
laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat
against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember
therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first
works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou
hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also
hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the
tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of
God.
Chris Lawson
Jude 3