Sunday Morning February 7, 2010
Bel Aire Baptist Church
Series: “Royalty” [#7]
FORGOTTEN LOVE
2 Chronicles 25:1-28
Introduction:
Have you ever been asked to wear your “Sunday’s Best”? What does that mean? Although my generation has seemed to change this a bit, for many years people equated dress clothes and church in the same thought. This attitude of being better dressed at church than during the week has carried over to more than just our clothes. People generally try to act better at church, talk better at church, etc… than they do in other environments.
2 Chronicles 25:1-2 (NIV)
“Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.”
The key to this message this morning is found in that last statement, “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.” We often forget why we do the things we do.
Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
It’s the “all” that is tough; but we as God’s Children are called to remember our “First Love’. This morning I want us to look at King Amaziah and the 1st of 7 Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation- The Church of Ephesus; and see how to avoid forgetting our “First Love”.
If you are going to avoid forgetting your “First Love”, then you must remember…
1. Who is in control.
We find in 2 Chronicles 25 that after Amaziah gained control over the kingdom, he took revenge on those officials who had killed his father and had them executed. He didn’t kill their children because he wanted to abide by the Law. He then drafted over 300,000 trained men that were of fighting age (over 20) and hired 100,000 fighting men from Israel.
Revelation 2:1 (NIV)
"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.”
Who should be in control? I’m talking in all areas- Whether it’s the Kingdom of Judah, the Church, your life, your employment, etc…
Remember that…
> God chooses. Amaziah decided to enlist the help of some Israel mercenaries. God had provided plenty of help through Judah; but Amaziah wanted more. As with the Church of Ephesus; God has us in His Hands.
> God places. God puts us right where we are supposed to be. Don’t go away from His plan.
> God provides.
> God protects.
> God expects. God expects us to be used by Him. We are an instrument in the Hand of God.
> We are responsible to God.
> We are accountable to God.
Jesus Christ is the One who walks in the midst of the Churches, (which represented by the golden candlesticks).
This means that Christ...
> Is present in the very midst of the Church.
> Sees and knows all about the Church.
> Is present to teach and grow the Church.
> Is present to provide and protect the Church.
> Is present to guide and direct the Church.
> Is present as the Light of the world to give light to the church.
If you are going to avoid forgetting your “First Love”, then you must remember…
2. To continue in doing the right things you already doing.
Although Amaziah made a mistake within hiring some Israelite mercenaries, he had been getting many things right. A prophet of God went to Amaziah and told him not to use the Israelite mercenaries in battle or he would be destroyed. Amaziah asked the prophet about the money he had spent on them and the prophet told him not to worry about the money; that God would bless him far beyond that amount.
Amaziah had been following the Lord’s commands in many areas of his life and he did as God said and sent the mercenaries home.
Revelation 2:2-3 (NIV)
“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.”
This Church is commended for 5 things:
> The Church had worked hard and labored for Christ.
> The Church persevered.
> The Church did not tolerate wicked men.
> The Church tested all the preachers and teachers of the Church and rejected those which were false.
> The Church persevered and endured hardships.
Keep doing the right things. Don’t let up in the areas that are already right.
If you are going to avoid forgetting your “First Love”, then you must remember…
3. To pay attention to God’s warnings.
Amaziah did the right thing by listening to the prophet’s warning; but then after they destroyed the Edomites, he brought back some of their idols and worshipped them.
How stupid! Amaziah had heard the warnings of the Law many times; and one of the main warnings was about avoiding other gods. God warns us over and over again against turning to other things or people. We must remember Who saved us and takes care of us. We must remember Who the One True God is.
Revelation 2:4 (NIV)
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.”
We find in this verse that although this Church was doing all of the right things, they had forgotten who they were doing it for. Jesus was no longer the first priority in their Church. They were putting their lives first. They were more in love with the programs of “their” Church than they were the founder of the Church. The Church had lost its love for people. The people had started drifting apart and before they knew it, they had become a “Sunday Best” type of church. Those indicators of this type of church such as criticism, grumbling, jealousy, selfishness, etc.. I’m sure existed.
If you are going to avoid forgetting your “First Love”, then you must remember…
4. God has the solution.
God sent another prophet to Amaziah with the solution to his sin. Amaziah chose not to listen.
Revelation 2:5a (NIV)
“Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
We are given 3 steps to returning to our First Love:
> “Remember the height from which you have fallen.”
Can you remember your love for Christ when you were first saved or when you felt His presence during a great time of need? Remember the Lord’s presence, the love that existed between you and Him.
> “Repent”.
This word means to turn around and go the other direction. If you have been going away from Christ, you simply need to turn around and go back to Him.
> “Do the things you did at first.”
Start spending time in prayer again. Start spending time in study of God’s Word again. Start striving to serve Christ because of your love for Him again.
If you are going to avoid forgetting your “First Love”, then you must remember…
5. That there are consequences to not repenting.
Amaziah told the prophet to be quiet and he then consulted his own advisers. His advisers suggested that he issue a challenge to the Israelite King- King Jehoash; and that’s exactly what he did. Jehoash told Amaziah to stay at home and not to do battle with him; but Amaziah did not listen.
Amaziah was captured, made a prisoner, watched Jehoash break a large portion of the wall around the Temple, and watched Jehoash steal all of the gold and silver out of the Temple and palace that he could find. Amaziah eventually fled to Lachish but was caught and killed.
Revelation 2:5b
“If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Jesus warned them of what would happen if they did not listen to His warning.
> Jesus warned them that He would remove their Church.
Conclusion:
In Revelation 2:7, we are given our invitaition.
Revelation 2:7 (NIV)
“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.”
The “overcomer” is a person who overcomes, conquers, and gains the victory. All Christians will overcome in the end. While we are on this earth we need to overcome those things that pull our heart and love away from Christ. Look at our reward: “Eating from the tree of life.”
