Sunday Sermon

Restoring Your First Love Dave Shaner December 28, 2003

Introduction: Revelation 2:1-7

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
 

We don't always like what we see when we look in the mirror. But no matter what you have done, Jesus still loves you. Nothing can separate us from God's love.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  - John 1:14

Jesus came to live among us. He has always wanted us for Himself. He wants us to speak to others about how much they are loved by Him.

What enables us to preach the Word?

I. When we know our __________ in the __________ of Christ.

A. The body of Christ is to reflect the love, glory and righteousness of God.

B. Romans 8:29

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

C. The Bible wasn't written to be a handbook on denominational doctrine.

II. When Christ gets a __________ of __________ life.

A. Jeremiah 20:7ff

O LORD, you deceived me, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

B. Acts 4:20

For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen & heard.

C. Psalm 39:3

My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

D. II Corinthians 4:13

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak

III. We must get on _________ terms with the __________.

A. John 14:15

"If you love me, you will obey what I command."

B. John 12:32

I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself

C. John 3:17

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Conclusion: To pass on the word of God is an obligation, but it is never a burden. Speak as much as you're able, when you're able, while you're able.

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