What Keeps a Church From Being Transformed? (Part 3)
As our study of American churches continues, we see where the key to the lack of transformation originates. Jesus now brings into
light the crux of His complaint and the core of our lesson. He is jealous over the way we have allowed ministry and our defense of the
faith to push Him out of our lives. In His indictment, He convicts many of the churches we are part of.
CHURCHES THE REFUSE TO TRANSFORM REJECT AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP
Ministry is great and exposing false prophets is necessary, but without a personal, intimate and vital love relationship with Jesus – all
is for nothing! You see, we are to be “with Jesus,” this is what salvation is all about. Jesus longs to spend as much time with us as
we will free up from our schedule. Listen to Him as He chastises the church at Ephesus …
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do
the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent. Revelation 2:4-5
(NKJV)
One can hardy miss the tone of this reprimand, despite the fact we only have the transcript and it has been two millennia since he
spoke it. Jesus gets to the point and reveals the depth of His disappointment at the failure of this church. Ultimately, the failure is one
of …
Jesus longs for our return. His incredible and unfailing love drives Him to call us back to Himself. From the beginning of time with
Adam and Eve, God has been calling to us, “Where are you?” Now, at the end of the Bible, Jesus calls us to Himself once again.
© 2007 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. All rights reserved.
As our study of American churches continues, we see where the key to the lack of transformation originates. Jesus now brings into
light the crux of His complaint and the core of our lesson. He is jealous over the way we have allowed ministry and our defense of the
faith to push Him out of our lives. In His indictment, He convicts many of the churches we are part of.
CHURCHES THE REFUSE TO TRANSFORM REJECT AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP
Ministry is great and exposing false prophets is necessary, but without a personal, intimate and vital love relationship with Jesus – all
is for nothing! You see, we are to be “with Jesus,” this is what salvation is all about. Jesus longs to spend as much time with us as
we will free up from our schedule. Listen to Him as He chastises the church at Ephesus …
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do
the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent. Revelation 2:4-5
(NKJV)
One can hardy miss the tone of this reprimand, despite the fact we only have the transcript and it has been two millennia since he
spoke it. Jesus gets to the point and reveals the depth of His disappointment at the failure of this church. Ultimately, the failure is one
of …
- Leaving their relationship with Jesus – “you have left your first love.” Of course, He is our first love. Busy-ness, even in the
ministry, is no excuse for neglecting the Lover of our soul!
- Refusing to remember the intimacy with Jesus – “remember therefore from where you have fallen” indicates the insidious drift
has so effectively erased the memories of the courtship, Jesus Himself has to remind them of their past.
- Refusing to repent of their autonomy – If reprimanded by Jesus, one must change, or the consequences are certain. Jesus
calls the church to turn around, change their minds and let their love flow once again. How are they to do that? They are to act
out their love, to “do the first works.”
Jesus longs for our return. His incredible and unfailing love drives Him to call us back to Himself. From the beginning of time with
Adam and Eve, God has been calling to us, “Where are you?” Now, at the end of the Bible, Jesus calls us to Himself once again.
© 2007 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. All rights reserved.
| Transformation |
 |
 |
| First Baptist Church |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
