The Church That Lost Its First Love
Hear What the Spirit Says: A Call to Awaken • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
THEME: Write one sentence about the topic.
A MESSAGE THAT CHANGES LIVES!!!
Overview: >
The fundamental problem with Ephesus was that despite standing firm against false teaching and evil, the church had abandoned its foundational love—both for Christ and for one another.
Christ’s message to this church balances commendation with correction. He praised their hard work, patient endurance, intolerance of evil, their examination and rejection of false apostles, and their willingness to suffer—all indicators of a congregation actively engaged in faithful witness. John himself knew these believers had resisted false teaching.
Yet beneath this impressive exterior lay a critical spiritual deterioration. Despite commendation for their zeal in protecting the faith, the Ephesians had become preoccupied with orthodoxy at the expense of love.* In their battle to maintain sound teaching and doctrinal purity, they had lost a charitable spirit. By rooting out error and expelling false teachers, they had grown suspicious of one another, becoming theologically precise yet emotionally cold, with their good deeds now motivated by duty rather than love.
The remedy Christ prescribes is both diagnostic and restorative. Jesus called the church back to love, urging them to return to Christ and work as they did initially—loving with their original enthusiasm and devotion. The warning is severe: if they do not repent, Christ will remove their lampstand from its place. The promise to overcomers offers restoration—access to the tree of life in God’s paradise.
The message to Ephesus remains relevant: doctrinal correctness without love becomes spiritually sterile and vulnerable to removal from Christ’s active presence.
*How is love defined in this letter? Is orthodoxy works based in this context?
How does this message change lives?
What is the message / theme?
How does it CHANGE LIVES?
How is it tied to our testimony?
How do we apply it in our lives?
We need to look at the meaning of what we do.
Why do we do the things we do?
Does it fulfill our purpose for which God created us (to glorify Him)?
Does it enhance our relationship with God?
Does it retain meaning or is it just activity?
If the answer is yes . . . embrace what we are doing with a focus on glorifying and serving God with love.
If the answer is no . . . then we need to consider what will bring us into alignment with God’s purpose for our lives.
What is the one thing hearers should walk away with, if they do not hear anything else?
Understanding what is God’s purpose for creating us.
What glorifies God?
What is truly our first love
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✔️CHECKLIST
Complete the Sermon Notes Insert.
CREATE NOTES AND BIBLIOGRAPH AS AN INSERT IN THE BULLETIN.
Select Background
Create an Introductory Slide (with name).
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WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Lay Leader) WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CALL TO WORSHIP
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. God, You gave me relief from all my troubles.
People
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Leader
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
People
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
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CHOIR / SONG🎵239
CHOIR / SONG🎵239
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness
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Today’s Bible Reading
Today’s Bible Reading
(LAY LEADER) BIBLE (Reading):
1 “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. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
(LAY LEADER) This is the Word of the Lord.
(LAY LEADER) This is the Word of the Lord.
(PEOPLE) Thanks be to God!
(PEOPLE) Thanks be to God!
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CHOIR / SONG🎵(Choir Performs Song) (Song Title)
CHOIR / SONG🎵(Choir Performs Song) (Song Title)
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Sharing Our Joys and Spiritual Needs
Sharing Our Joys and Spiritual Needs
(LAY LEADER) PRAYER NEEDS AND REQUESTS
[Go to front after Sharing of Prayer Requests.]
PASTOR: SILENT PRAYER
PASTOR: PASTORAL PRAYER for NEEDS.
Unspoken Prayer
Warden Community Church (Leaders, Volunteers, Givers, all other needs)
Mission Organizations (Navratils, the Elliots, the Killions, the Gideons, the NACCC, and others)
Homeless,
Sick and Injured,
Hungry and Needy,
In Prison
Military, Fire, Police, all other Emergency Services and Rescue,
Those who are new or visitors to Warden Community Church.
Those who are seeking after You and those who are lost. We pray for redemption.
And we lift up our families, friends, and and those close to our hearts, that they may seek and find You, Lord.
Others that we may not have mentioned.
PASTOR: LORDS PRAYER or OTHER PRAYER (Bulletin)
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we
forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
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(Lay Leader) GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was
in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen,
Amen.
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CHOIR / SONG 🎵#227
Breathe On Me, Breath of God
[GO TO THE PLATFORM after music]
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PRAYER OF PREPARATION (for the message)
PASTOR: May the words of my mouth . . . (CAN BE CHANGED!
PEOPLE: And the meditation of our hearts,
be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, Our Strength and Our Redeemer.
Amen. (Psalm 19:14)
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LORD, You say in Mark 13:11. . .
11 “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.
Lord, may this be that hour, and may the words I speak today be from Your Holy Spirit, and not from me.
May we all have ears to hear what You are saying to us through the Letter to the Ephesian Church, may we be inspired to do what You have called us to do.
In ALL things, may You be glorified through Your Son, Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
MESSAGE TITLE
MESSAGE TITLE
Pastor Dave Marks
Pastor Dave Marks
Warden Community Church
😁ANIMATED, EXPRESSIVE, PASSIONATE, POSITIVE. 😊❤️
Welcome 😊❤️ [CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
Good morning, church family! What a privilege it is to gather together under God's Word. In a world full of noise and distraction, we get to slow down, open Scripture, and hear from the living God. That is not something we should ever take for granted.
2. Welcome to Guests and Visitors
I want to take a moment to especially welcome our guests and anyone joining us for the first time. We’re honored you chose to be here, and we hope you experience the warmth and grace of Christ in this place.
3. Warden Community Church ⛪♥️
“We are a Bible-believing church where we gather to worship God, grow in His Word, and encourage one another in genuine community. We are a people who seek the Lord together—through prayer, fellowship, and a desire to live out our faith daily.”
4. Special Announcements or Messages
We invite you to join us in the Fellowship all after the service for some food and fellowship. We’d love to get to know you better.
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Introduction to Message
A MESSAGE THAT CHANGES LIVES!!!❤️😁
Story or Quote (with history)
An elderly couple was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.
After dinner, they decided to take a drive together through the countryside, just like they used to when they were young.
They climbed into their old pickup truck. The husband started the engine, and they headed down a quiet country road.
For a few minutes, neither of them said much.
The wife sat over against the passenger door, looking out the window.
Finally, she smiled softly and said,
“Do you remember when we were first married?”
Her husband chuckled and said,
“Oh, I remember.”
She said,
“Back then, we used to sit so close together in this truck. We couldn’t get close enough to each other.”
He grinned.
“That’s true.”
There was another quiet moment.
Then she looked at him and said,
“What happened?”
The old farmer kept his eyes on the road for a second…
then finally smiled and said:
“Well… I haven’t moved.”
Point or Perspective from Story
In a sense, this sums up the Letter to the Church at Ephesus.
Here is a couple.
Been together for years
Knew each other better than anyone else.
Celebrating their 40th anniversary.
They sensed THEY HAD LOST SOMETHING.
SOMETHING WAS MISSING FROM THEIR MARRIAGE.
They were doing all the right things . . .
Bought the house.
Paid off cars.
Raised the kids.
Retired comfortably
But something was missing.
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Overview of Subject
The Letter to the Church at Ephesus is similar.
The message revealed that
Though everything seemed good.
(They were checking all the right boxes)
Something was missing.
Time had taken its toll on this church.
Going through the motions.
THEY DIDN’T KNOW IT.
But the fire that had once burned bright . . .
was just smoldering.
WHAT WAS MISSING?
WE’RE GOING TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THIS LETTER
but I want to take a quick look at the BIG PICTURE first.
[CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
Last week I shared a story with you about a young man who was about to COMMIT SUICIDE.
God orchestrated every detail to CONNECT the PASTOR and that YOUNG MAN.
The time / day
The misdialed phone number
The name of the church.
The truncated CALLER ID.
EVERYTHING
THIS IS HOW GOD OPERATES IN OUR LIVES.
Whether its
Challenges
Adversity
Joys
Victories
EVERYTHING IS PURPOSEFUL
EVERYTHING IS INTENTIONAL
The Bible - SAME!!!
Design
Words
Placement
Order
Stories
Teaching
Prophecies
Wisdom
ALL HAVE PURPOSE.
And if we just do a bit of digging
Through the HOLY SPIRIT
God will reveal things to us that are in His WORD.
3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
EVERYTHING THAT GOD WILLS, GOD DOES.
No one can deter God from His Intended Purpose.
GOD INVITES US TO BE PART OF HIS PLAN!
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS IS NO DIFFERENT.
INTENTIONAL and PURPOSEFUL
in its Message and Placement
THE BOOK OF REVELATION is APOCRYPHAL
The Title itself (from last week) indicates
Unvailing
Revealing
OF WHAT GOD IS GOING TO DO.
Chapters 4-22
THINGS TO COME (Unvailing, Revealing)
And it ends with this Rev 22:20
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Jesus is testifying that the things in this book are true.
Then He says, BE READY, I’M COMING SOON.
However - First three chapters VERY DIFFERNT from the rest.
THE PLACEMENT IS A WARNING TO ALL OF US.
Before . . . GREAT ADVERSITY, PERSECUTION etc.
TIME TO GET OUR HOUSE IN ORDER.
NOW!!!
THIS IS IMPORTANT!
We are not looking at a message to an ancient church (only)
We’re looking at message to THIS CHURCH. NOW.
We’re looking at a message to each of us. NOW.
LET’S LOOK AT THE LETTER AND SEE THE MESSAGE.
TODAY . . .
We’re going to be looking at the CHURCH AT EPHESUS.
Ephesus was a prominent city of about two hundred thousand people
Ephesus was known for its wealth, power, fame, superstition, and idolatry
Known for the TEMPLE of DIANA (Drawing)
Diana - Godess of fertility (Also known as Artemis)
Ephesus was worship center in Asia
Pagan sexual practices - Women exploited as temple prostitutes.
Also a BANKING CENTER
Attracted people from all over Asia.
This context reveals why Paul’s gospel posed such a direct threat:
The new religion of Jesus challenged not only Artemis worship
but also Ephesus’s economic status as a manufacturer of shrines and statues.
This was the church Timothy pastored.
Compare Paul’s letter to the Ephesians with John’s letter to the church at Ephesis - They are addressing different issues stemming from the same problems.
In Paul’s day . . .
Power and Control in leadership
Teaching false doctrines
Exacting rituals and expectations
that were not Jesus teachings
nor were they Paul’s.
There could be a time difference that would indicate an older church in John’s time.
Things change over time.
LIke we sometimes see in relationships . . .
People change over time.
Relationships change over time.
This was true of the Church at Ephesus.
Key Scripture
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Body of Message
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START WITH THE ADDRESS
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AND THE DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST
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1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
ADDRESS and DESCRIPTION OF JESUS
To WHAT CHURCH is being addressed.
Every letter has an introduction that introduces Jesus differently.
Lampstand - the churches
He walks among the lampstand
He walks among the churches
Jesus is always present in His churches. (lampstands)
Jesus maintains authority and control over His church.
He is exercising His OVERSIGHT of the churches.
But He’s extending His love to everyone who enters these doors.
He’s extending His Love
TO US, and
Through us . . .
through EACH of us.
through EVERY ONE of us.
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The better translation of hold is
κρατῶν - Power, Hold Fast (Tight Fisted?)
krateo
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COMMENDATION
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2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
COMMENDATION
Jesus always starts out the COMMENDATION
...with I KNOW . . .
Your Works
Your Tribulations
Your Deeds
Etc.
God knows it all.
SAME WITH US (Psalm 139:1-16)
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1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
AND IT CONTINUES TO VERSE 16.
That’s why Paul tells us to Pray.
17 pray without ceasing;
BECAUSE GOD IS LISTENING TO US
GOD HEARS US, EVEN THAT STILL SMALL VOICE INSIDE US
HE HEARS US.
[CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
This is the great report card (talked about last week)
They thought EVERYTHING WAS OKAY.
Their endurance was remarkable
they had every reason to grow tired and weary,
THEY ENDURED,
THEY PERSEVERED
They resisted
Evil
False apostles
How did they RECOGNIZE the FALSE APOSTLES?
They knew the WORD of GOD.
THAT SHOULD BE A MESSAGE TO US.
[CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Reading the Bible imparts
knowledge
wisdom
discernment
understanding
Reading the Bible give us
hope
joy
peace
guidance
and shows us the way when we sometimes see no way.
The Ephesians knew the Bible
They had been taught by Timothy
They had done everything right doctrinally and behaviorally,
yet this very success would become their spiritual danger.
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(After 40 years) AND THEN THE REBUKE
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REBUKE
4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
THE PERFECT CHURCH IS NOT PERFECT . . .
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Like the husband on his 40th anniversary . . . WHO MOVED?
When the Ephesians received this letter, it was 40 years old.
This is the REBUKE [CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
One rebuke with significant consequences.
WHAT ARE THOSE CONSEQUENCES?
Let’s quickly look at the next verse. . .
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THIS IS THE CALL TO REPENT
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
FIRST- Remember where you came from.
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FIRST LOVE has two meanings.
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Here it means looking at their first encounter with Jesus
How was that relationship?
How did it change their lives?
When Jesus says, REMEMBER FROM WHERE YOU HAVE FALLEN
Look what has happened over the last 40 years.
Where are you NOW compared to where you were when Jesus entered your life.
LEGALISTIC but not LOVING
Having KNOWLEDGE but not WISDOM
Had RITUALS without RELATIONSHIPS
They were DOING what was right, BUT THEY LOST
COMPASSION
CARE
CONNECTION
THEY HAD DISCONNECTED FROM THE LORD.
They had lost their
MISSION AND PURPOSE
All they had was RITUAL and PRACTICE.
THEY HAD LOST THAT FIRST LOVE.
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SECOND - Jesus was no longer a PRIORITY in their lives.
FIRST LOVE is also referring to where they placed Jesus in their lives.
Is He first?
Does He take priority?
When we have Jesus as OUR FIRST LOVE
Our lives do not just change.
They are transformed.
Our desires change . . .
Prayer
Study the Word
We see God active in our lives
Our perspective changes.
We become receptive to the Holy Spirit
We submit to the Holy Spirit
We see things through God’s eyes
We adopt the Mind of Christ.
JESUS DOES NOT PULL HIS PUNCHES IN THIS VERSE
[CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
He says, “ I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”
He’s saying I WILL REMOVE YOUR WITNESS TO THE WORLD.
The church, as a lampstand, IS A LIGHT TO THE WORLD.
Without repentance, GOD REMOVES THAT WITNESS.
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FINALLY . . .
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HERE IS THE PROMISE THE PROMISE
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7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
FINALLY . . . HERE IS THE PROMISE THE PROMISE
Jesus starts by distinguishing the hearer and the doer from those who don’t hear and don’t do.
This promise is for the hearers and doers.
There are NON-BELIEVERS who read the BIBLE
as literature. What’s it to them?
IF there’s no action, there’s no promise.
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JESUS says IF YOU LOVE ME YOU WILL OBEY ME.
15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
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The promise looks back to the primeval creation with the life-giving tree in the garden,
but also looks forward to the new creation
where the tree of life will again be planted in the New Jerusalem—
Adam was barred from the tree of life
but the overcomer will have free access to it eternally.
THIS IS GOD’S PROMISE TO THE OVERCOMER!!!
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Summary
WHAT IS JESUS TELLING US,
AS A CHURCH,
AND AS BELIEVERS?
There is much INTROSPECTION Jesus is asking us to do?
He’s asking us both as a church, and as committed believers.
IT COMES DOWN TO ONE THING IN THIS MESSAGE.
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DO WE STILL HAVE JESUS AS OUR FIRST LOVE?
Have we kept our works… but lost our wonder?
Has our love for Jesus grown cold?
Jesus warned us about this in the last days.
[CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
But He added: A NOTE OF HOPE FOR THE OVERCOMER, FOR THE BELIEVER.
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13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
Endures is not a PASSIVE word.
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ὑπομένω (hypomenō) resist, stand firm by holding one’s ground
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ARE WE
RESISTING?
STANDING FIRM
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ARE WE GROWING STRONGER IN CHRIST?
Are we closer to Jesus today than we were a year ago?
Do we hunger for His Word?
Do we desire communion with Him in prayer?
OR have we become spiritually entrenched in routine
[CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
ARE WE SEEKING OUR FIRST LOVE?
Do we still stand in awe of Jesus Christ?
Do we worship from the heart or merely from habit?
Do we have a religion or a relationship?
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ARE WE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST?
Does our testimony reflect the truth of the Gospel?
Are we reflecting His grace, truth, humility, and love?
Would people be drawn toward Christ by the way we live?
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ARE WE A LIGHT TO THE COMMUNITY AROUND US?
As a church…
Do we reflect the love of Jesus Christ to those around us?
Do visitors sense the presence of Christ among us?
[CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
IS OUR WITNESS EFFECTIVE?
Individually and as a Church (the Body of Christ)
Are people being drawn toward Christ through us?
Are we seeing lives changed?
Are people visiting because they see something real?
[CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
IN THIS LETTER
JESUS introduced Himself . . . (READ ABOVE).
as He “who walks among the seven golden lampstands.”
[CLICK TO CHANGE SLIDE]
If Jesus Christ were to walk among us today, as He walked among the lampstands, what would He see?
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Preview of Next Message
Next Sunday we open the letter to the church at Smyrna.
The church was poor in the eyes of the world…
but rich in the eyes of Christ.
Next Sunday we examine Jesus’ message to a suffering church and discover what true faithfulness looks like in difficult times.
The Letter to the Church at Smyrna challenges us to stand courageously for Christ no matter the cost.
Please come join us next Sunday.
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Call to Action
IN THIS LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS . . .
JESUS is CALLING US TO
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REMEMBER
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REPENT, and
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RETURN
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REMEMBER
Individually ask yourself:
What was your relationship with Jesus like when you were CLOSEST to Him?
Seek after that. Pray for that renewal.
Develop a hunger for His Word.
Don’t just simply read it?
We need to go to God in prayer.
We need to do it out of desire more than discipline?
REPENT
REPENT
We need to honestly reckon with:
If comfort has replaced conviction in our walk . . .
We need to petition God to restore that fire in our souls.
Do we have a religion, or do we truly have a relationship?
Where have we substituted activity for intimacy . . .
We need to bare our souls before God, and allow the Holy Spirit to come in and fill us.
What we do, needs to be purposeful and intentional.
We need to assess all that we do and ask the BIG and IMPORTANT QUESTIONS . . .
WHY?
We need to pursue growth in Christ — individually and collectively.
RETURN
RETURN
As individuals and as THE CHURCH, we need to collectively commit to:
TESTIMONY
Do others see Jesus Christ in us
Are we a genuine light to our community —
AS A CHURCH, AND AS A BELIEVER we need to reflect the love of Jesus . . .
to those who visit,
to those who are hurting,
to those God has brought across our paths
It not accidental, its intentional
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
JESUS is CALLING US TO
REMEMBER
REPENT, and
RETURN TO OUR FIRST LOVE.
Pray (Pastor) -> (Related to Message)
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[Sit/Stand]
CHOIR / SONG 🎵#19
CHOIR / SONG 🎵#19
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
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COMMUNION
COMMUNION
(1st Sunday only - LAST PAGES)
INVITATION TO COMMUNION (1st Sunday only - BELOW)
RITE OF COMMUNION (1st Sunday only - BELOW)———————————————————
(LAY LEADER) OFFERING
(LAY LEADER) DOXOLOGY
(LAY LEADER) DOXOLOGY
DOXOLOGY: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
DOXOLOGY: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
(LAY LEADER) PRAYER OF DEDICATION (for Offering)
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CHOIR / SONG 🎵#465
CHOIR / SONG 🎵#465
Pass it On
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BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION
PASTOR: Inspirational Conclusion🎉😁❤️
Church… Jesus is not calling us back to busyness.
He is calling us back to RELATIONSHIP (with HIM).
He is not asking for more activity—
He is inviting us into renewed intimacy.
He is not pointing to what we’ve lost—
He is offering to restore what once burned bright.
The One who walks among the lampstands is walking among us even now.
He sees our works.
He knows our endurance.
He knows our struggles.
And with love in His voice, He calls us:
Remember.
Repent.
Return.”
Return to the joy you once knew.
Return to the passion that once stirred your heart.
Return to the Savior who has never moved, never drifted, never stopped loving you.
May we be a church
whose light does not dim,
whose love does not fade,
and whose witness shines brightly in this community—
WHY? Because Jesus Christ is once again our First Love.
LET’S MAKE HIM OUR FIRST LOVE ❤️
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PASTOR: BENEDICTION
May the Lord who walks among His churches walk with you this week.
May His Spirit rekindle your love,
renew your devotion, and
restore your joy.
May your heart remember,
your soul repent, and
your life return to the One who first loved you.
And may the light of Christ shine through you—
in your home,
in your work,
in your conversations,
and in this community—
until the day we stand before Him
and eat of the tree of life
in the paradise of God.
IN THE KINGDOM WE REPRESENT as AMBASSADORS.
In the name of the Father,and of the Son,and of the Holy Spirit—Amen.
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PASTOR: FINAL PRAYER (WALK with LAY LEADER) ->
As we bow our heads .
Please pray with me . . . (While walking)
(WALK WITH THE LAY LEADER TO THE LOBBY)
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PASTOR: COMMUNION PORTION
READ/PREACH: 1 Cor 11:23-29
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
1. Opening Prayer (Variable)
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with grateful hearts, remembering the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we partake of this bread and cup, we proclaim His death until He comes again (1 Corinthians 11:26). Cleanse us from sin, renew our hearts, and help us approach this Table with reverence and faith. Thank You for the cross, for the blood that was shed, and for the grace that saves.
May this meal strengthen our unity, deepen our love for Christ, and stir our hope in His return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
2. Scripture Reading & Brief Exhortation (Variable)
Text: Luke 22:14–20
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
(NASB)
When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”
And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.
3. Exhortation (Brief) (Variable)
Condemned men in prison are customarily given a last meal before they are put to death. Jesus, too, was a condemned man, with one last meal to eat before dying. Soon He would be betrayed, condemned and crucified for crimes He did not commit. He would be arrested, beaten, abused, and killed. He endured this suffering for us, giving grace to all believers, and inaugurating this celebration of redemption. As we partake, let us all remember the cross, and the love that led Him there. Let us take a moment and examine ourselves, repent, and come to the table with renewed faith and reverence.
4. The Lord’s Supper
Invitation (Variable)
All who have put their trust in Christ alone for salvation, and who walk in fellowship with Him and with His church, are invited to join with us in communion.
Distribution of the Bread:
“This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24)
(Eat the bread together)
Distribution of the Cup:
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25)
(Drink the cup together)
5. Closing Prayer (Options)
Gracious Father,
As we sit in stillness before You, we thank You for the body and blood of Christ, given for us. May the gospel we have just proclaimed through this meal dwell richly in our hearts. Strengthen our faith, deepen our repentance, and renew our love for You and for one another.
Help us leave this Table not unchanged, but resolved to walk in holiness, bearing fruit in keeping with our salvation, until Christ returns in glory. To you be all glory and honor and praise.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
