Returning to Our First Love: Embracing God's Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God, Earning His Trust

Faith is not a one-way street where we only expect to rely on God; it is also about God being able to trust us with His word and His mission. This mutual trust is built on obedience and a heart that seeks to align with God's will. When faith is genuine, it becomes the bedrock from which courage is drawn, enabling believers to face challenges with the assurance that they are in sync with divine truth. This kind of faith is active and transformative, affecting not just personal beliefs but also actions and decisions in the everyday walk with God. [47:42]

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the work of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate your trust in God today in a way that shows He can also trust you to be obedient to His word?

Day 2: The Cost of Divine Presence

The presence of God is a treasure that comes with a price, which includes the removal of idols, the restoration of a repentant heart, and the willingness to make public and extravagant commitments to God. It also may require the difficult decision to release certain relationships that impede one's spiritual journey. These actions are not just symbolic; they are practical steps that reflect a heart earnestly seeking to welcome God's presence. This pursuit of divine intimacy is a conscious choice to prioritize God above all else, understanding that His presence is invaluable and worth every sacrifice. [46:31]

"And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' Another of the disciples said to him, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' And Jesus said to him, 'Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.'" (Matthew 8:20-22)

Reflection: What idols or relationships might you need to remove or alter to prioritize God's presence in your life?

Day 3: Worship Beyond Music

Worship is not confined to the melodies and lyrics of a song; it is the expression of a life fully surrendered to God's desires and plans. It is a posture of the heart that seeks to live in alignment with God's word, reflecting His love and grace in every action. True worship involves daily decisions that honor God, showing that one's entire life is an offering to Him. This lifestyle of worship draws believers closer to God's presence, allowing them to experience the depth of His love and the richness of His grace. [23:02]

"And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark 12:33)

Reflection: In what ways can you live out worship as a lifestyle today, beyond singing songs of praise?

Day 4: Crisis of Personal Devotion

The decline in personal devotion, such as prayer and Bible reading outside of church services, signals a spiritual crisis that must be confronted. These practices are essential for nurturing a deep and authentic relationship with God. Without them, faith can become shallow and vulnerable to the influences of the world. Personal devotion is the soil in which spiritual health flourishes, and its neglect can lead to moral and spiritual decay. Believers are called to be diligent in their private communion with God, recognizing its critical role in maintaining a vibrant and resilient faith. [08:19]

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:2-3)

Reflection: What specific time today can you set aside for personal prayer and Bible reading to deepen your relationship with God?

Day 5: Decisive Action for Spiritual Health

Understanding the value of God's presence prompts decisive action to eliminate any hindrances to that relationship. Like King Asa, believers are called to take bold steps to remove obstacles, whether they be habits, attitudes, or relationships that are detrimental to spiritual health. This requires courage and a willingness to make tough decisions for the sake of one's relationship with God. The story of King Asa serves as a reminder that valuing God's presence means being proactive in creating an environment where it can thrive. [45:02]

"Then Asa took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he renewed the altar of the LORD that was in front of the vestibule of the LORD." (2 Chronicles 15:8)

Reflection: What tough decision might you need to make today to remove obstacles that hinder your spiritual health and relationship with God?

Sermon Summary

In my recent sermon, I addressed the critical issue of maintaining our first love for God amidst our religious activities. I drew from the letter to the church in Ephesus, as recorded in Revelation 2, where the church was commended for its deeds and perseverance but rebuked for forsaking its first love. This paradox highlights a profound truth: it is possible to be engaged in the work of God without being in His presence, to have a faith that impresses others but leaves God unimpressed.

Reflecting on the spiritual climate of the past years, I likened it to a strainer that has separated the spiritually solid from the spiritually liquid. The decline in church attendance and the corresponding moral decay in our nation is alarming. It indicates a lack of personal prayer and Bible reading outside of church services, which are vital to our spiritual health.

I then delved into the story of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 15, who exemplifies the right response to realizing the cost of God's presence. Asa took ten distinct actions, four of which I highlighted as essential for us to emulate. These actions are the "first works" we must return to if we desire to truly honor our first love, God's presence.

Firstly, Asa removed idols from his kingdom, recognizing that idolatry is not just about physical objects but anything that takes precedence over God in our hearts. Secondly, he repaired the altar of the Lord, signaling a return to repentance and humility. Thirdly, Asa publicly recommitted to God in an extravagant worship service, understanding the value of God's presence and the need for our worship to reflect that value. Lastly, he released relationships that were detrimental to his commitment to God, even if it meant making difficult decisions.

I shared my personal journey of coming to know God without the influence of a Christian upbringing, which allowed me to discover the preciousness of God's presence firsthand. I emphasized that worship is not just a song but a lifestyle of surrendering our ambitions to God's will.

In conclusion, I called for a return to our first love by doing the first works: removing idols, repairing the altar of repentance, recommitting to God publicly and extravagantly, and releasing relationships that hinder our walk with Him. I prayed for courage and conviction for us to make the necessary changes to honor God truly.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What commendations and rebukes did the church in Ephesus receive in Revelation 2:2-5?
What actions did King Asa take in response to Azariah’s prophecy in 2 Chronicles 15:1-8?
According to the sermon, what are the "first works" we must return to in order to honor our first love for God? [09:00]
How did the speaker describe the spiritual climate of the past years using the metaphor of a strainer? [06:06]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that the church in Ephesus was commended for their deeds but rebuked for forsaking their first love? How does this apply to modern-day believers? [04:38]
What does the story of King Asa teach us about the cost of God's presence and the actions required to maintain it? [10:16]
How does the speaker’s personal journey of coming to know God without a Christian upbringing illustrate the importance of an authentic relationship with God? [19:26]
What does it mean to worship God with our lives, and how does this differ from merely singing songs of worship? [23:02]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there any "idols" that you need to remove to make room for God's presence? What steps can you take this week to begin this process? [25:05]
The sermon emphasized the importance of repairing the altar of repentance. When was the last time you genuinely repented for your sins? How can you cultivate a heart of humility and repentance? [29:09]
Public and extravagant recommitment to God was highlighted as essential. How can you publicly affirm your commitment to God in your daily life? What might this look like in your workplace, school, or community? [35:17]
The speaker mentioned the need to release relationships that hinder our walk with God. Are there any relationships in your life that are pulling you away from God? How can you address this issue? [42:52]
The decline in personal devotion outside of church services was described as a spiritual crisis. How can you incorporate more personal prayer and Bible reading into your daily routine? What specific changes will you make this week? [08:19]
The speaker shared about the importance of worship as a lifestyle. What specific actions can you take to align your daily life with God's desires, words, and plans? [23:02]
Reflect on the courage required to make difficult decisions for the sake of your spiritual health. What is one tough decision you need to make to honor God, and how will you find the courage to follow through? [45:02]

Sermon Clips

"If you want the presence of God in your life, you have to identify and remove every Idol that sits in his place because he will not take up residence in a heart that is already occupied with an idol of your creation." [28:35] ( | | )

"We only need to repair something if it has fallen into disrepair, right? Like we only need to repair something that is broken. Well, see the thing about the altar is that there was a time in Israel's history when priests ministered before the altar 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." [29:57] ( | | )

"God is with you, you are not alone when you walk through those School halls and they make fun of you or when they send you those messages through text and they make fun of you. I need you to know that God is with you." [52:59] ( | | )

"How is it possible that you can do the things of God but not be in the presence of God? How is it possible that you can have a level of faith that is performative that many think is amazing but God ain't even impressed with it?" [06:06] ( | | )

"You may not wear the title of Pastor, missionary or evangelist but wherever God has placed you, you are the priest of that place. You have been called to be the one who carries the presence of God with you." [41:39] ( | | )

"God sent me here tonight to tell somebody that you have to be willing to offend the one you love so you don't end up offending the god you serve. If you have people in your life who are a distraction, they are detractors, you can love them but you're going to have to release them." [44:18] ( | | )

"The price of God's presence costs these idols, the price of God's presence requires repairing this altar, the price of God's presence requires recommitting to God in an extravagant way, and the price of God's presence requires releasing some relationships." [45:46] ( | | )

"Many times we think worship is a song. Worship isn't a song. Worship is a heart posture. It's the way that you live your life, you submit your ambitions and your dreams and your wants and your desires at the foot of the cross." [23:02] ( | | )

"Faith is not us trusting God. Faith is God being able to trust us. That when he speaks we will obey. That is Faith. What we place our faith in determines where we take our courage from." [47:42] ( | | )

"Tonight God is calling us all to repair the altar of repentance. Sometimes what that means is that there are some people we need to have conversations with when we didn't show up the right way." [34:35] ( | | )

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?