Life Capsule for Today Date:2nd July, 2023
Theme: To what Church do you belong (1)?
Text: Rev Rev 2:1-4
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.
Topic: Ephesus (The Church that left her first love)
Memory Verse: Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Words of the Ministry.
This week we would be considering the 7 letters written to the seven churches in Asia minor (modern day Turkey) during the time of the Apostle John while he was on exile on the Island of Patmos. Theologians and Bible teachers has applied it to mean messages given to seven literal Churches while some say it is referring to seven Church ages. In addition to both opinions which I agree with I like to add that it could also be applied as seven possible conditions any today’s church could be and since believers make up the church, it therefore could be said to be seven possible spiritual conditions of you as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. We would be using it as a gauge to reveal our faithfulness.
The Church in Ephesus (Rev. 2.1-7) was one of the Churches planted by Paul and he did labor there for about three years before handing them over to Priscilla and Aquila. The Church loved the Lord genuinely, they labored passionately and resisted every appearance of evil and falsehood, trying all doctrines and Apostles with the word of God. The Lord commended them for this as he is the one that sees in secret. The Lord in addition to his commendation also raised some areas of concern. While it appeared, they were rendering service to God, full of activities and sacrifices, the Lord accused them of losing their first Love.
Today many believers are like the Church in Ephesus, when we first heard the gospel and believed, we loved the lord ultimately with our best love, we could go all out to sacrifice for the Lord come rain or shine. Our song everyday was father draw me nearer. We always wanted an opportunity to share the gospel and to suffer for his name sake, the slightest opportunity we had to pray and serve in our local churches was valued above all. Like Ephesus, we are still busy rendering service to God but instead of a progression in love, our love has greatly declined. We no more crave to be with the lord in prayer, spend time witnessing or serving in the mission fields rather we have replaced our love for God with Church activities. Our love is no more centered on Christ but our denomination, our song is now come to my Church and we do everything to protect our position in Church and reputation among men rather than that of Christ, our best love is devoted to our ministry and Pastors instead of Christ.
God’s intention for us is to grow in Love towards him and our neighbors as our love is a measure of our faithfulness, it must be ever increasing. Married couples can relate to this, just before wedding and a few months into the marriage, the love among many could be referred to as their first love but soon after they start raising Children, it seems to decline, yes they still love each other and either partner could even be working harder to meet the needs of the family but many can testify despite their busy schedule, they have lost their first love. Neighbors may see a hardworking man and a devoted wife but the couple themselves know where they have fallen. Saints of Christ have you noticed a decline in your love for God despite an increase in Church activities, the Lord is calling, repent today and pursue Christ with your first love, your best love, amen.
Bible In One Year: Psalm 40-45
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