Rekindling Our Love for Christ Above All

 

Summary

In this message, I explore the profound question of whether we would be content with heaven if Christ were not present. This question challenges us to examine the depth of our love for Jesus. Are we truly in love with Him, or are we more enamored with the blessings and benefits He provides? I share the story of Grandma Clara, a woman whose life was a testament to her deep love for Jesus. Her longing to be with Christ and her daily devotion serve as a powerful example of what it means to be truly in love with our Savior.

Reflecting on my own journey, I confess that there have been times when I was more focused on the success of my ministry than on my relationship with Jesus. It's possible to be a successful pastor without truly loving God or people, but that misses the essence of our faith. God desires our love above all else, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Jeremiah 2:2. He longs for a relationship with us, not just our service or adherence to religious duties.

I challenge us to consider the church in Ephesus, which was commended for its deeds but criticized for forsaking its first love. Jesus desires a church that loves Him passionately, not one that merely goes through the motions. Our love for God should be the foundation of our love for others, as seen in Matthew 25, where Jesus identifies with the least of these.

In my own church, I've been convicted to prioritize love for Jesus above all else. This has led to radical changes, such as redirecting funds from building projects to serving the poor. It's about living out our faith authentically and passionately, even if it means facing challenges or losing members. Ultimately, I want to stand before God with a congregation that is deeply in love with Him, not lukewarm or complacent.

My prayer is that we would all rekindle our love for Jesus, allowing it to transform our lives and ministries. May we be bold in our devotion, willing to follow wherever He leads, and may our churches be places where love for God and others is evident and vibrant.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Essence of Heaven: The true essence of heaven is not the absence of pain or the presence of earthly pleasures, but the presence of Christ Himself. Our love for Jesus should surpass our love for His gifts, challenging us to examine whether we are truly in love with Him or merely with what He offers. [00:25]

2. A Life of Devotion: Grandma Clara's life exemplifies a deep, personal love for Jesus, characterized by daily devotion and longing to be with Him. Her story challenges us to cultivate a similar passion and intimacy with Christ, prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else. [02:13]

3. The Danger of Success Without Love: It's possible to achieve success in ministry without truly loving God or people. However, God desires our love above all else, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 6:5. Our primary calling is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. [07:22]

4. The Call to Authentic Love: The church in Ephesus was commended for its deeds but criticized for forsaking its first love. Jesus desires a church that loves Him passionately, not one that merely goes through the motions. Our love for God should be the foundation of our love for others. [11:21]

5. Radical Love in Action: True love for Jesus compels us to live out our faith authentically and passionately, even if it means facing challenges or losing members. Our actions should reflect our devotion to Christ, prioritizing His desires over our own comfort or success. [19:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - The Question of Heaven
- [00:39] - In Love with Jesus or His Gifts?
- [01:12] - Grandma Clara's Devotion
- [02:27] - A Life Centered on Christ
- [03:47] - Living with Eternal Perspective
- [05:14] - The Example of True Love
- [06:17] - Pastoral Success vs. True Love
- [07:35] - God's Desire for Our Love
- [08:08] - Israel's Forsaken Love
- [10:26] - Jesus' Longing for Relationship
- [11:21] - Ephesus: Forsaking First Love
- [12:30] - Love as the Foundation
- [14:30] - Radical Changes in Ministry
- [19:24] - Authentic Love in Action
- [23:12] - A Call to Personal Devotion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Deuteronomy 6:5 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
2. Jeremiah 2:2 - "I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown."
3. Revelation 2:4-5 - "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."

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Observation Questions:

1. What question does the pastor pose about heaven, and how does it challenge our understanding of our relationship with Jesus? [00:09]

2. How did Grandma Clara's daily routine reflect her deep love for Jesus? [02:01]

3. What does the pastor confess about his own ministry experience, and how does it relate to the danger of success without love? [06:36]

4. How does the church in Ephesus serve as an example of forsaking one's first love, according to the sermon? [11:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the pastor suggest that our love for Jesus should surpass our love for His gifts? How does this align with the essence of heaven as described in the sermon? [00:25]

2. How does Grandma Clara's life serve as a model for cultivating a deep, personal love for Jesus? What specific actions did she take that demonstrated her devotion? [02:13]

3. What does the pastor mean when he says that God desires our love above all else, and how does this relate to the primary calling found in Deuteronomy 6:5? [07:22]

4. How does the pastor's decision to redirect church funds reflect a commitment to authentic love for Jesus? What challenges might arise from such a decision? [19:24]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the question posed in the sermon: Would you be content with heaven if Christ were not there? How does this question challenge your current relationship with Jesus? [00:09]

2. Consider Grandma Clara's example of daily devotion. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a similar passion and intimacy with Christ in your own life? [02:01]

3. The pastor speaks about the danger of achieving success in ministry without truly loving God or people. How can you ensure that your own pursuits, whether in ministry or daily life, are rooted in genuine love for Jesus? [06:36]

4. The church in Ephesus was criticized for forsaking its first love. In what ways can you rekindle your love for Jesus and ensure that it remains the foundation of your faith and actions? [11:21]

5. The pastor made radical changes in his church to prioritize love for Jesus. What changes, big or small, can you make in your life or community to reflect a deeper commitment to Christ? [19:24]

6. How can you actively demonstrate love for "the least of these" in your community, as a tangible expression of your love for Jesus? [13:19]

7. Reflect on the pastor's prayer for boldness and love. What specific area of your life requires boldness to follow Jesus more closely, and how can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in this area? [25:37]

Devotional

Day 1: The True Essence of Heaven
The essence of heaven is not found in the absence of pain or the presence of earthly pleasures, but in the presence of Christ Himself. This challenges believers to examine whether their love for Jesus surpasses their love for His gifts. It is a call to reflect on the depth of one's relationship with Christ, questioning if the allure of heaven would still hold if Christ were not there. This introspection is crucial in understanding the true nature of one's faith and devotion. [00:25]

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, ESV)

Reflection: Consider what you treasure most in your life. If you were to imagine heaven without Christ, would it still be heaven to you? How can you shift your focus to treasure Christ above all else today?


Day 2: A Life of Devotion
Grandma Clara's life exemplifies a profound, personal love for Jesus, characterized by daily devotion and a longing to be with Him. Her story serves as a powerful reminder to cultivate a similar passion and intimacy with Christ, prioritizing one's relationship with Him above all else. This devotion is not about religious duty but about a heartfelt desire to know and love Jesus more deeply each day. [02:13]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate a practice that prioritizes your relationship with Jesus, such as setting aside time for prayer or reading Scripture, to deepen your devotion to Him?


Day 3: The Danger of Success Without Love
It is possible to achieve success in ministry or life without truly loving God or people. However, God desires love above all else, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 6:5. The primary calling is to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength. This love should be the driving force behind all actions and decisions, ensuring that success is not measured by worldly standards but by the depth of one's love for God and others. [07:22]

"And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2, ESV)

Reflection: Think about your current pursuits and achievements. Are they driven by a genuine love for God and others, or are they motivated by personal success? How can you realign your goals to reflect God's desire for love above all else?


Day 4: The Call to Authentic Love
The church in Ephesus was commended for its deeds but criticized for forsaking its first love. Jesus desires a church that loves Him passionately, not one that merely goes through the motions. This call to authentic love emphasizes that love for God should be the foundation of love for others. It challenges believers to examine their hearts and ensure that their actions are rooted in genuine love for Christ. [11:21]

"But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." (Revelation 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with Jesus. Have you abandoned your first love for Him? What steps can you take today to rekindle that passion and ensure your love for God is the foundation of your actions?


Day 5: Radical Love in Action
True love for Jesus compels believers to live out their faith authentically and passionately, even if it means facing challenges or losing members. This radical love prioritizes Christ's desires over personal comfort or success, leading to actions that reflect devotion to Him. It is a call to live boldly for Jesus, allowing His love to transform lives and ministries in profound ways. [19:24]

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)

Reflection: Consider how your actions reflect your love for Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you need to take bold steps to live out your faith more authentically? What changes can you make today to ensure your love for Christ is evident in your actions?

Quotes


The question for our generation and for every generation is this: if you could have heaven with no sickness and with all the friends you ever had on Earth and all the food you ever liked and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any human or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with Heaven if Christ was not there? [00:00:00]

I thought, man, so much of my life I would, I'd have to say yes. I wasn't really in love with Jesus. I was in love with the stuff that he offered. I was in love with forgiveness. I was in love with escaping his wrath. I was in love with this thought of being with all of my friends and family in heaven, but was I truly in love with Jesus? [00:00:55]

Grandma Clara was 94 years old, and for the last 10 years, I've wanted her to die, not in a bad way, because she's wanted to die. You know what I mean? She was just one of those Saints where she's like, oh Lord, just take me. Her body's whittling away, and she just couldn't wait to be with her. [00:01:30]

She talked about how every morning, every morning she would hear crying in the room next door. Every morning she'd hear her grandmother sobbing as she would talk to God and tell him how much she loved him. She was just madly in love with Jesus. She would tell my wife, you know, see this little corner of the bed? That's where I pray every morning. [00:01:54]

I just don't know if this is where I want to be when Christ returns. She goes, I'd rather be serving someone. I'd rather be at home praying to him, telling him how much I love him. I'd rather him find me praying for you and the church and everything else. I don't want him to come in while I'm watching a play. [00:03:39]

You can be really successful as a pastor without being in love with Jesus. I figured that out, man. It hit me a few years ago, then I realized, wow, I'm not really in love with Jesus, and honestly, I don't really love my congregation. They're starting to really bug me. They really were, but man, was the church growing. [00:06:33]

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength, with everything that's in you. God says this is about love. It's always been about love. Man, that was Deuteronomy 6:5. Here, oh Israel, the Lord your God is one, and you shall love him. That's what God wants from me. [00:07:30]

The church in Revelation, remember the church in Ephesus where he says you've done so many great things? He goes, but you've forsaken your first love. That passage always surprised me because when he says that, he says, look, I know your deeds, I know your hard work, I know your perseverance, I know you can't tolerate wicked men. [00:10:49]

Jesus says, I'd rather you not exist as a church than be a church that doesn't love me. Love is that important to me. That sums up everything. This is all I've ever wanted from you. See, I know this week's theme is love one another, but don't you understand the love one another comes from our relationship with God? [00:12:22]

I tell you, it's been a crazy, crazy year at my church. I've been there 13 and 1/12 years. A church I started a little over a year ago, I quit. I stopped because I was just kind of going nuts in my head because I'd read some of these passages and go, we're not living this out. Was this a game we're playing? [00:14:25]

I don't want to come to the end of my life and stand before God with thousands of people that are lukewarm, that kind of love Jesus, kind of love each other, sort of, and say, look, look, there's thousands of them, though, Jesus. And Jesus goes, I spit them out of my mouth. I don't want that. [00:19:46]

May we have churches that make you their first love and adore you, and may our love for one another flow from an adoration for you, almighty God, who gave his one and only son that we could be forgiven and begin this love relationship with you. I love you, God. I love you. [00:26:28]

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Transcript
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