Hands and Hearts Together

Text: “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: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which 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. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Re 2:1-7 NIV)

Central Idea: Service without Devotion is hollow in the sight of God.

I. Introduction: “Where’s the Passion?” is an all to common question to churches through out time. Churches have been built, and have died around this issue.

II. Take Note: The Letter Addressed

A. Who It Is To

B. Who It Is From

III. Take Satisfaction/pride: The Duty Appraised

A. Faithful in Work

B. Found to be Patient

C. Forbidding Wicked ness

D. Firm in Doctrine

E. Fierce in Endurance

IV. Take Stock: The Devotion Assessed

A. Forsaken Love

B. First Love

V. Take a Turn: The Remedy Approached

A. Remember

B. Repentance

C. Redo

D. Remain

VI. Take Heart: The Outcome Assured

A. The Promise to the Conqueror

B. The Present of Life

C. The Paradise of God

VII. Conclusion: If in all of our service to God, our hearts get left behind, then we must go back and pick up our hearts or risk our lights going out forever.