Pastor Welton Watson, Central Baptist Church
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
Revelation 2:4
“Thou hast left.”
Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Wax cold simply means, to chill down. So, that once burning, passionate love that we had has now chilled to the extent that we are at ease and have established ourselves a comfort zone. That is an area that we feel comfortable in and feel no pressure to do anything further than what we are doing. We are now at a place where one service a week will suffice us, even though we know what God says.
1. One reason the love has waxed cold is because of: the abounding iniquity that is running rampant in this world and even in most churches. Jesus said “as the days of Noah were, so shall it be.” The days of Noah were identified by and abounding iniquity. God even said of that generation: “That their heart was only evil continually.” All our penitentiaries are overcrowded, and the jails are overflowing. Our government continues to throw money at crime and education, and it is failing miserably.
2. When we leave our first love, there is automatically something else that will seize our attention and affection. Oh, we still love the Lord, but there is something else that is more important to us.
3. Some of the things we chill down on are our love for the things of God. (The church, the word, prayer, righteousness, God’s people) 4. Some of the things we have given our affection to are:
- A. Family – Jesus said if you love father….more than me ye are not worthy of me.” I think about the rich man in hell, when he said “send him to my five brothers.” He had time to visit and party and play with his family and neglected the things of God while he had time; now it’s too late and he is concerned about them going to hell. Don’t let family ties keep you from God. Because some day you may regret it.
- B. Jobs
- C. Money
- D. Pleasure
- E. Leisure – Sunday is the only day I have off, so I’m going to do something with the family. Good, go to church with them, or, bring them to church with you.
- F. Do you remember how it was when God first touched you and saved you? You couldn’t get enough of church and the word and the things of God. You wanted everything, but now, you’re satisfied with leftovers and flavorless worship. Jesus said, “They that worship God must worship him in Spirit and in truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
Has your love waxed cold? Have you LEFT your first love. The Bible says you have left. God didn’t leave us. We left him, and he still longs for our fellowship and to bless us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Look Revelation 2:5, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
What a great word is remember. REMEMBER!!!!!!!!!