RETURNING TO OUR FIRST LOVE - A response to "Revive Cold Hearts"

RETURNING TO OUR FIRST LOVE - A response to "Revive Cold Hearts"

Here is a great word from my sister Stacey on reviving cold hearts:

https://crookedplacesstraight.wordpress.com/2015/06/14/revive-cold-hearts/ 

Please read it and then return here. The Holy Spirit has inspired me to write in response and in continuation of what my sister has said! I want you to focus particularly on what she has said about feeling alone in church. This is a common occurrence today! And I have news: if you feel alone in church, then who ELSE is probably feeling exactly the same way? Probably someone right next to you! You may feel alone, but you are not alone in your aloneness! And the fact that she felt that some churches are the same as watching a TV sermon at home, a true yet sad fact. See, TV is and always will be a spectator sport. And many people today go to church meetings thinking they are spectators. This could not be further from the truth. Hence a body of believers might act like a TV audience rather than engaged body parts.
Now I am not discouraging TV altogether.
 It is great to watch services on TV or internet in special circumstance, such as when one is bedridden and cannot physically move. But going out to live local church meetings is better! Local churches were intended by God to be a regular place for you, the joints, to supply each other's needs in Christ! Amazing!
What my sister Stacey has said is spot on: God is about Relationships. We should be the same as Him! 

We know that Jesus promised His presence where two or three are gathered. So we are never alone in that regard. But what if the members started to show love more to each other in their local church? 

If you have read the above blog in the link, then let us continue here:

There are several local churches (plural as mentioned in Scripture) who have need of admonition and encouragement! Isn't it great that the Lord addresses each local congregation by name and is able to help us clarify and improve! Praise Him for His faithfulness!

Here is what Jesus has to say about the various churches gathering in public in specific geographic locations:

Rev 1:20 GENEVA VERSION

20The ministry of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks, is this, The seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest, are the seven Churches.

Revelation 2:1 GENEVA VERSION

1 Unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write, These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.

and He goes on to say exactly what her blog post has said:

Revelation 2:2-4 GENEVA VERSION

2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear with them which are evil, and hast examined them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found the liars.
3And thou wast burdened, and hast patience, and for my Names sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

So far so good, but here is the kicker!

4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

So this particular early church was different than the other early churches recorded in Revelation 2 and 3. This particular church represents a lot of western churches today. They have lost their first love. That is something we strive to keep central in our congregation: First Love! Let Jesus thrill your soul and make time for Him like a young couple in love makes time for each other! When one is in love with Jesus, nothing can distract you from being with Him and from showing love to His family! You want to spread it to everyone. And that is one of the benefits of being part of a smaller church: people do not get lost in the shuffle very easily. Everyone is included, as a body part in the Body of Christ! Larger churches must work harder (meaning each and every member, not just the leaders) to reach out to every member. It can be done, if each Christian would simply recognize that church is not a spectator sport! You are a functional member of the body, in Christ. Every joint supplies the need, as Paul tells the church in Ephesians. 

Ephesians 4:15-16 GOD'S WORD TRANSLATION

15Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head.
16He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 

THIS is my Biblical Ephesians/Revelation challenge to those who are part of local churches who may not reach out in love like they used to: If you are there and see the need, my challenge is for you to be the Lord's ignition switch. Stir people to love. Provoke them with God's Love. Return to your FIRST LOVE: Jesus! 

Reach out in your church in quiet, humble and genuine ways. It will take boldness because often this doesn't make human sense. Don't do it to receive. Do it to give. Like Jesus did for you. And cooperate with the Spirit as He moves you! You WILL be surprised when God reciprocates love back to you in new and delightful ways! You cannot outgive God! 

Let God ignite the fire of first love in YOU. Don't wait for the pastor or deacon or anyone else. Everyone typically thinks "Someone else will do it." 

No! If you are in the midst of a cold church, heat things up with your love of Jesus and reach out to the sister or brother beside you. YOU are a minister, and YOU are a channel of God's blessing and Spirit. If you are Christian, you are a body joint! Do not wait any longer. You are connected to the Head, Jesus. The Head sends nerve impulses to body parts like you and me.

But....

If you have not filled up on His love, how can you give it out? If your relationship to Jesus is shallow, how can you express His deep love and devotion to others? 

So before you take on this challenge, I strongly urge you to get alone with God before your next church service. 

Yes, shut off social websites, TV, cellphones, tablets and anything else that can distract you. Go on a date with God.

Get alone and spend time with Jesus. Ask Him to revive your love with His Love. God IS Love. (1 John 4:16) So by being in God, you are in love! Let Him send you on a local mission to the unchurched, the unsaved, and those sitting in your church who do not really KNOW the love of God. 

To know God is to know Love. Be a fire starter today! 

Blessings!

Pastor Curtis

Sun June 14, 2015 3:34pm EST