Revelation 2:4-5
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
When I worked in sales, I was taught that the sale was not complete until the customer paid for the order. I was also taught the “Compliment Sandwich” method of bill collecting. It works like this. “You’ve been a good customer, you owe us a million dollars, that’s a nice tie.” Fortunately, Jesus, the King, does not need to resort to tricks but he said many things to the church in Ephesus to encourage them and challenge them. They were diligent and faithful, and also guarded sound doctrine, everything a church should be. But… Jesus saw the early stages of mission drift, forgetting their first love. Once Jesus is forgotten, the Great Commission will soon follow.
Come to Cape Community Church tomorrow as we learn how terrifying it would be if we heard those words from Jesus to us, that he has something against us as a church. He might say we are faithful and diligent to make disciples and love our neighbor. He might also commend us for our attention to the biblical teaching. What might he have against us? May it never be that we have forgotten who Jesus is, God the Son, and what he has done for us, dying on a cross. May we guard against mission drift in 2025!
O Heavenly father, thank you for the cross and the Son who died. May Jesus have nothing against our church as we serve him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.