PREACHER, HOW IS YOUR LOVE LIFE?

When I ask, “How is your love life?” I am not referring to the romantic relationship with your wife—important as that is. My question is drawn from our Lord’s accusation against the church at Ephesus, “you have left your first love” (Rev.2:4).   While it was addressed to the church as a whole, the first one to see it and need to apply it was the “angelos,” (Rev.2:1a), the messenger and pastor of that local assembly.  While he would not bear sole responsibility for the degree of the church’s passion for Christ, he would carry a significant role in it.

Jesus is vitally interested in His pastors—the stars He holds in His hand—and vigilantly involved with His churches—the lampstands He walks among (Rev.2:1b).  His focus with Ephesus—beginning with her pastor—was not what they believed in their heads, or did with their hands, but what they lacked in their hearts.  

There was CHRIST’S COMMENDATION. The church—and I would assume the preacher—had many commendable qualities. Jesus acknowledges their dedicated activity and doctrinal fidelity (Rev.2:2-3,6).  We must attend to those.

But, then came CHRIST’S CONFRONTATION. They left their first love. It does not say they lost it, but left it. It was not accidental, but willful. Life is full of choices. Little by little we can immerse ourselves in church business and forget our primary duty, to love God with all our being and our neighbor as ourself.  Labor without love leads to haughtiness: “Look what I have done compared to you!”  Doctrine without devotion leads to harshness: “You do not believe like I do!”  It is not a question of either/or but both/and.  Old Vance Havner said, “You can be straight as a gun barrel theologically and empty as one spiritually!”

We conclude with CHRIST’S CALL (Rev.2:5,7).  “Remember,” the first love and recall those early days when the romance of redemption was a fire inside you. “Repent,” and rekindle that flame. Do it, “or else,” Christ will come and turn the lights out in the church house. If but one member of the church will respond, then Christ can bring revival to that church—and the foremost person in need of repentance could be the man in the pulpit!  May God use this text as a spiritual x-ray to disclose our heart condition!  Now, if you will excuse me, I have something to do—to tend to my soul!

“He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

THE MAIN THING

 Repeatedly, I have preached from this text when I have been considered by a church to serve as their pastor. I wanted them to know up front, before they extended a call to me, the focus of my ministry. Keeping the main thing the main thing is a challenge. Yet, by God’s grace these must be our priorities in ministry.  

THE PRIORITY OF BUILDING, “building yourselves up on your most holy faith.”  We are to be body builders. While it is true that Jesus builds His church, we have a choice to practice the spiritual disciplines that will build our faith and that of others. It is foundational to ministry—a passion to grow the people in spiritual health and God will bring the numerical growth.

THE PRIORITY OF PRAYING, “praying in the Holy Spirit.”  All our efforts will be in vain unless energized by God’s power—and that power comes through prayer. Otherwise, we are on a religious treadmill—running hard but never getting anywhere.  The pastor must be a man of prayer and call the church to be a house of prayer.

THE PRIORITY OF LOVING, “keep yourselves in the love of God.”  To love God and our neighbor is the great commandment. We must fuel the fire of love. Recall Paul’s words, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal,” (1 Cor.13:1). Eloquence in preaching cannot mask the absence of love from a preacher’s heart.  Never compromise your convictions, but stand and speak them with compassion.

THE PRIORITY OF LOOKING, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”  All we do is meant to be in view of eternity.  We must serve as those who will give account at the consummation of the age. The precious souls in our charge are to be reminded that this world is not our home. They are more likely to be looking up and looking ahead, if we demonstrate that ourselves and declare it in our messages.

THE PRIORITY OF REACHING, “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”  Some sinners we reach are broken people, open to the Gospel, and will respond to the good news eagerly. But, we must make a distinction, for others are hardened in apathy, or will even respond with hostility to the Gospel. We must prioritize the former, while not neglecting the latter.  

As they are on the precipice of a fiery hell, we must pull them out of the inferno of iniquity. Yet, as we reach out to them in their wicked environment, we must be cautious about being defiled by the same. Loving sinners means hating sin—as we see its destructive nature.  Be as sure of their true repentance and seek evidence of regeneration before bringing them into the church, lest they be wolves in sheep’s clothing and bring harm to the flock. This calls for discernment and it is our duty as shepherds.

My prayer for you:  “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”  (Jude‬ ‭1:24-25‬‬)

MODELS IN MINISTRY

 

John writes as an elder (v.1). Doubtless, he is that in age, but he is also that in leadership. He is a spiritual father to God’s people. His desire is for the prosperity of the flock (v.2). He is especially thrilled when the church is walking in the truth (v.3-4). He affords an excellent model for ministry.

John begins with COMMENDATION. 

This letter is directed to his beloved Gaius—Gaius the Generous (v.5-8). This man loved the Lord and loved people—and put his money where his mouth was. In particular, he supported the missionaries and evangelists who came through on their journey. Jesus gave us one mission—the Great Commission, as we call it. We should imitate Gaius in giving to get the Gospel out.

John also commends Demetrius (v.12). I call him Demetrius the Devout. His devotion to Christ was a compelling example for all.  When you took the plumb line of truth and held it up beside him, he was in alignment with God’s Word. He sets a standard for us to follow.

Yet, John also brings CONFRONTATION.  There is another man in the church that needed to be confronted for his wickedness. I refer to him as Diotrephes the Dictator (v.9-10). His ego was extraordinary. He was a church boss—and for him it was, “My way or the highway.”  You groveled before him or you were driven out of the church. His works were diabolical and his words were demonic.  God calls us to lead the sheep and not drive them as cattle.

There was more that John might have said (v.13-14), but this is enough for now. Here is the bottom line, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” (v.11).  

An elder of the church should follow John’s pattern—commending the good and confronting the bad—fearless in our stand for the truth. We should exemplify generosity and devotion as Gaius and Demetrius.  The sad reality is that some church leaders have a swollen head and shrunken heart like Diotrephes. In that case, one should check their spiritual birth certificate. What model for ministry will we follow?