Have you lost your first love?

The Gathering

Wednesday September 28, 2011

“Have you lost your first love?”

Revelation 2:1-7

Theme Verse: Revelation 1:19

Author: John

Background: This book was intended to encourage Christians through the centuries, especially the Christians in the 1-3 centuries who faced the fiercest of persecution for their faith (death, homeless, etc). In the midst of these fierce persecutions, God had John write a letter to encourage all who read and give a better understanding of His plans.

Things which are

Church Age

(Present)

Background of city of Ephesus:

-1) Largest city (approx. 25000)

-2) Important for commercial center and great seaport

-3) Known for their devotion to the cult Artemis (Latin: Diana) (Acts 19:28)

-4) Church known for their works, faithfulness to sound doctrine, labor…

-5) Begin on Paul’s third missionary people turned from sorcery to Christ.

-6) Their motives gradually moved from love to duty

-7) Repent and turn to their first love.    

“The church of Ephesus was described as the typical church of the first century.”

Two fold purpose for this letter:

1) Christ’s commendation

          -Works

          -Labor

          -Patience

          -Faithfulness

          -Intolerance to the wrong teaching

2) Christ’s warning

          -To “return to its first love”

No amount of religious ceremony, labor, or loyalty can make up for a lack of Christian love.

(1 Cor. 13:2-3; Matthew 22:37-40)

          -Motives shifted from love to duty

-God will remove the witness if they don’t repent

Recognize:

1) Need of a daily walk with God in a vibrant, live-giving relationship, confessing sin, finding guidance in Him.

2) The difference this love for God makes in our lives

3) The severity of the problem of losing our love for Christ.

Who holds the keys of hell and death and determines the destinies of nations and individuals (Psalms 9:16; Acts 17:31).

How about you?

Have you lost your connection with God?

Is there sin blocking your love?

Encouragement in the midst of persecution

The Gathering

Wednesday September 21, 2011

“A Book of Comfort”

Revelation 1

Theme Verse: Revelation 1:19

Author: John

Background: John, who also wrote John the gospel, 1,2,3 John, was exiled on the isle of Patmos for fear of the spread of Christianity by the Romans (Domitian).

This book was intended to encourage Christians through the centuries, especially the Christians in the 1-3 centuries who faced the fiercest of persecution for their faith (death, homeless, etc). In the midst of these fierce persecutions, God had John write a letter to encourage all who read and give a better understanding of His plans.

See Revelation 1:3

What about the author: The same John that wrote the gospel, and 1,2,3, John. He is 90 years old. He considered himself a fellow partaker, in the tribulation because of the word of the God and testimony of Jesus.

He was exiled as part of a grandeur scheme to discourage Christianity. What are some things that have happened to discourage Christianity?

The best thing about John was that he felt no bitterness towards his persecutors; rather love for his Lord and a passion to serve Him.

Do we embody that same love and passion that drives us?

“History has proven that persecution (whether physical torture or mental torture) has makes Christians stronger in their love for the Lord and their faith!”

Book itself:

An Epistle (1:1-3)

            --to a particular group of Christians

            --addressing a specific need at the time

How does the epistle different from John’s other epistles?

--1) It is a book of prophecy (function of prophecy 1 Corinthians 14:3)

“edification, encouragement, and comfort of men”

            --2) It is an apocalyptic literature

“apocalypsis” is a Greek word meaning “revelation”

It means disclosure or unveiling of Jesus Christ and future events.

Prophetic book written “to show the things which will shortly come to pass.”

Written by God and carry the authority of the triune God.

As a theme verse (1:19), John is told to write “what has been, what is, and what is to come”.

1:7-8

John describes Jesus as the faithful witness that has set us free from our sins and mad us a kingdom. He announced Jesus’ coming to judge the world, and recognized Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, the eternal and almighty Lord.

1:9-11

Visions of John

            --1) Jesus standing in the midst of the candlesticks

            Jesus is ever present “in the midst” of the church

            --2) Seven golden candlesticks

                        --Seven Churches

                        --The churches are sources of light

            --3) Seven stars in Jesus’ hand

                        --Angels or messengers or pastors (Daniel 12:3)

            --4) Jesus in a robe

                        --Clothing typical of a judge or king

                        --Hair pure white as the Ancient of days

                        --Sword coming from his mouth

(Hebrews 4:12)

            **The number seven, being the number completeness, highly suggest that the message to the seven churches is applicable to the total church throughout the world.

            **Jesus stands among His churches to give His people light to shine in a dark, sin-cursed earth.

Conclusion:

He holds the keys of hell and death and determines the destinies of nations and individuals (Psalms 9:16; Acts 17:31).

How about you?

Do you need encouragement to stand for Christ?

Have you not understood His wonderful plan?

Do you need to be comforted?

God is Moving!! Sunday Night August 28

As I reflect on this past Sunday’s events, I can’t help but get excited about what God showed Shell Point Baptist on the first night of Awana. Last year we averaged 12-13 children and 13 youth in small groups on Sunday nights. This past Sunday night we registered 23 children for Awana and 14 youth for D-Groups. God is most certainly alive and working. I believe perseverance pays off.

On Sunday August 14 we got together will all youth and children’s leaders to discuss this year’s discipleship and make some adjustments to this year. We began Sunday night August 21 with four round tables spread out in the room and designated as Puggles, Cubbies, Sparks, and TNT for registration. As the parents brought their children to Awana, they were able to sit down at their child’s table to register them for this year’s club. At 5:15pm all the club members walked over to the sanctuary for a brief opening ceremony. Then at 6:00pm the members moved straight to their individual Bible Study rooms. I am very proud of our Children and Youth Staff for allowing things to run so smoothly.

I look forward to seeing what God will do through our Awana Program this year as well as through our brand new D-Groups on Sunday nights. We must recognize God’s presence is with us as believers, no matter the method we choose to use. God’s Word tells us that where two or more are gathered, He will be there among us.

In His Grace,

Pastor Russell

First Night of Awana August 21

As I reflect on this past Sunday’s events, I can’t help but get excited about what God showed Shell Point Baptist on the first night of Awana. We have a new bus driver that has stepped up to take on our Bus ministry. We picked 10 children and students Sunday night for Awana and Youth D-Groups. We counted a total of 27 youth and children Sunday night which was 10 less than the first Sunday.  This brings us a total of 39 youth, children, and adults in attendance.

I have been convinced that out of the 10-12 extra students and children we have coming regularly, there are at least 20 adults in need of a visit. These 20 adults (parents) are what I would call prospects for our church. We need to get busy reaching out to these moms and dads. God has brought them under our care, and we need to take care of who He has placed in our care.

The youth boys (middle/high school) small group opened up this past Sunday. God moved among some new students during our time together. I can’t wait to see what He does next week.

I look forward to seeing what God will do through our Awana Program this year as well as through our brand new D-Groups on Sunday nights. We must recognize God’s presence is with us as believers, no matter the method we choose to use. God’s Word tells us that where two or more are gathered, He will be there among us. He is most definitely among us as we gather for these Bible Studies.

Sorry this is taken me a while to post. I promise I will do better.

In His Grace,

Pastor Russell