Wow, talk about a wake up call. This message was given to me about a year ago and God clearly spoke to me concerning this message. I was to speak one evening in front of our youth group. For those who know me, I do not like to talk in front of people, kids are fine, youth and adults are a different story. I kept praying about this and God made it clear and opened the door for me to speak. I shared this with our youth group last year and wanted to share it with you. It gets right to the point. I call it God's way of speaking to us and our generation. I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone.
Revelation 2:3-4 (To the church of Ephesus)
"You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."
Revelation 3:15-16 (To the church of Laodicea)
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other. So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot or cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
The church of Ephesus had lost their deep love and compassion they once had for Christ. They were lacking in their personal relationship with Christ. They had fallen spiritually and required repentance. While the church of Laodicea was lukewarm, meaning neither hot or cold. They were no longer on fire for God. They claimed to be christians, yet in reality they were spiritually dead. God is simply telling us, "It's time to stop playing the religious game and get on fire for Him."
Ezekiel 33:31-33
"My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words, but do not put them into practice. When all this comes true - and it surely will - then they will know that a prophet has been among them." The people were listening to Ezekiel but they were not obeying his words. Their hearts were still far from the Lord. Their attitudes and lifestyles had not changed. We must be true worshipers of God, not entertainers.
God is knocking on the door, saying "Hello, I am here." We have to be willing to listen to God. He is our Lord and Savior. We should want to praise Him extravagantly. He desires our praises. He simply wants us to "Stop playing church and get real with Him. He wants to be first. Stop seeking your will and start seeking His will." There's something wrong with our relationship with God when we put things above Him and we put Him last or on the back burner. God is simply saying to us, repent and draw near to me. We are to be careful not to be like the church of Ephesus who had lost their first love for Christ (the personal relationship with Christ). We are also to be careful not to be like the church of Laodicea and not become lukewarm. They were no longer on fire for God. We are to be on fire for God. For we know not when the day or hour will come, so we must be ready. We have to live as though each day were our last day. God has given us each a gift and it is time we use that gift to its fullest. We must start with ourselves, examine our own heart and seek God for wisdom, guidance and direction. If we want to change, we must make daily sacrifices.
About 2 years ago at youth camp, we had a speaker who spoke on "Six Steps Sacrifice." He reminded us that when we run into roadblocks we must be persistent in prayer and God's Word and continue to move on no matter the consequences or what lies ahead. If we are to remain on fire for God, it takes sacrifice and a daily commitment.
Steps to Stay on Fire for God:
* Personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
* Seek God daily through prayer and Bible study (very important for spiritual growth).
* Requires a daily sacrifice.
* Put God first - above all - above everything and everyone.
* Be a witness to others - share Christ with the people you come in contact with.
* Be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1).
* Examine your heart daily. Keep your heart on the right course. Guard your heart for it affects eveything you do.
* Be real with God (do not be a fake) and be real with others. One example of this in found in Ezekiel where the people chose to listen to Ezekiel but were not obeying his words. Another example of this is living one way around church family and friends and another way at school or work. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." We are called to be different, to be set apart from this world. God knows our hearts and our minds. He knows everything about us.
If you follow these steps, you will develop spiritual growth and stay on fire for God. We have to reach out and ask God for help, we cannot rely on our own strength. We have to fully depend on God. We have to learn to give Him everything. Seek Him before making any decision whether it be a job or a college you are considering; look to him in prayer first. It takes a daily sacrifice. God wants us to be real and be on fire for Him. James 1:22 says, "God's people must not only hear God's Word; they must put it into action and do what it says." We are to listen to what God is saying and act upon it. Be willing to make a difference!
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