Christian Living

Holding Fast to Our First Love

by Thomas Kirkpatrick
08/26/21
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“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18)

In these times of trial, when Church buildings are empty due to social distancing, Christ’s Church is living and active to meet the challenge of opportunity before it. Jesus had just finished a challenge from the Pharisees, and many of their followers questioned who Jesus was. Jesus, throughout His ministry, was mocked continuously and doubted by the religious leaders who believed that salvation came from strict obedience to the Law of Moses. It was usual for Jesus to be questioned on everything He did when healing the sick, performing signs and wonders, and teaching the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Now away from the business of public ministry and alone with His disciples, Jesus questioned them. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” His disciples replied that the people thought He was John the Baptist or Elijah, and many thought He was one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter quickly answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Jesus responded with our text upon the rock of the Son of God the Church would be built, and the gates of Hades would not overcome it.

The Apostle Paul, a missionary and Church planter, was confident in his ministry. Paul wrote many letters found in the New Testament addressed to various Churches. Paul is an excellent teacher on the life of the follower of Jesus, the Christians who are the body of Christ. Not all of Paul’s writings can be found in the Bible, but Paul wrote many letters to the Early Churches. I don’t know Paul, as I have not met him yet, but he was a man with a great love for his fellow believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul suffered much to take the Gospel across the known world, and he labored hard to build them up. Paul kept a positive attitude during his trials, never slacked in boldness, and faced all obstacles with great courage. Paul had a pastor’s heart filled with love and compassion for all men. Paul saw every adversity as a way to show his confident faith in the Lord. By his faith, Paul knew that it was not he but the Lord working through him that his work would always be fruitful.

I admire Paul’s confidence; it was not grounded in this world but rooted in the eternal rock of the Word of God. Therefore, Paul did not judge his work for the Lord by any worldly standard of what could be seen. Paul judged his work in the faith that God’s Word would not return to Him void. “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

From the time the Lord called Paul to “go” until the Lord brought Paul home, he preached and ministered to the people. Paul’s very attitude and faith enabled him to continue to minister to the Philippian Church with these encouraging words while in a Roman prison. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

From the Day of Pentecost to today, the Church has struggled with the opposition of the world. No one wants to be judged, and no one wants to have the truth revealed to them as the absolute truth convicts. Few in the world have an eternal perspective and fear death and not beyond the grave. The religious leaders of the day had many reasons to reject the teaching of Jesus, selfish pride, their lack of wanting to hear the truth, and their love of their power. Christianity was a radical change from the way of the law. They focused on the law to know what they cannot do and refuse the Christian faith to see what they can do. Some tried to subvert that Christian faith by tying the two doctrines together. God’s Word endures forever, as it was in the beginning and is eternal. The Apostle’s teaching cannot change, as it is the Holy Spirit-inspired Word of God. Paul warned Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

There are problems with the Church of today, much like in the earlier times. Churches are splitting over doctrinal issues as if the doctrine of the Gospel could change with the times. Church membership is not what the Church leaders with it to be. Perhaps it is because the Church has hidden behind the walls that they can no longer join together. The Church was never meant to be a place of rest, never meant to be a social club, and never meant to build a false sense of Pride of Life. The Church teaches the brotherhood the truth, teaches the truth, and teaches the truth of God’s Word. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25) Then “go” and tell it on the mountain, take it to the valleys, and speak it to every heart that will hear. (Matthew 28:18-28)

Some Churches are more interested in gathering numbers of people. I can think of several reasons, and some of them are good, but others are for selfish reasons. Some Churches are trying to become more of a comfortable place according to the wants of worldly people, and as I don’t like that, there could be value in it. Churches need to grow their believers spiritually. The worst Churches are bending and twisting the Word of God to become more attractive to different lifestyles. People do not like coming to Church and feeling guilty. I say praise the Lord, as His Word of truth has convicted them, and if they ever hope to survive death, they need to, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

Churches need to return to a reverent fear of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Lord came once to seek and save that which was lost, and He is coming again to judge. There will be many in that day, which will be terrified to hear the Lord say, “Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” The question is this, can one sit in the pew each Sunday and have no burden of love for their Lord and Savior and the people of His creation?

Jesus is coming, and what we see today is the ever-increasing sign of the times. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” (Matthew 24:8) Neglecting the spiritual welfare of the untold is a burden we must bear, as it is our cross of service to carry. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12)

If the Lord has blessed your Church with wealth, it is not for keeps, and it is for investment in the ministry of the Gospel. It is essential to give to the world’s mission fields, but fruitless if you do not give to the mission field of your family, friends, and neighbors. If your Church has no need, your Church is blessed with abundance. Are the members blessed with all their needs filled? Are your neighbors? Lovingkindness draws people into a place where the Lord is lifted up, and He will draw them to Himself. Is your Church rich in faith and doers of God’s Word? “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.” (Revelation 3:16-18)

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Revelation 2:4) Do not leave your first love, for that is the love that brings hope into your soul, that is the love that gives you free salvation through faith, and that is the love the world is searching for. Trials of this life in the world are challenges to prove our faith in the Lord Jesus and the ministry He has privileged us with. Trusting in His word and living it is faith demonstrates our love for Him. Obedience to His Word provides the understanding of His righteousness and the purpose of our life. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:6-9)

Thomas Kirkpatrick

First Baptist Church of Durant, April 15, 2020