Subject: A Call to Revive Our Passion for the Gospel* (04/12/'24) -Message

Subject: A Call to Revive Our Passion for the Gospel Dear Friends and Family, I hope this message finds you well and growing in your faith. Today, I want to share a concern that resonates deeply with what we often observe in our spiritual communities. It’s about maintaining the core of what brings us together—our passion for the gospel. In the Book of Revelation (2:4-5), we are reminded of the importance of holding fast to our first love, our initial zeal for Christ and His message. The scripture warns, "You have forsaken the love you had at first...Repent and do the things you did at first." This serves as a poignant reminder that without our foundational passion for Christ, we risk losing our way. Paul, in his letters to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:16-17) and Galatians (Galatians 1:6-7), stresses the same urgency. He admonishes us for shifting away from the gospel, to other messages that might suit personal desires but stray from the truth. His words compel us to reflect—Are we, too, guilty of replacing gospel truths with personal preferences? Furthermore, in 2 Timothy (4:3-4), we are cautioned about a time when people will prioritize their desires over sound doctrine, turning to teachings that merely tickle the ears rather than nourish the soul. This prediction is a stark warning against the allure of comfort over conviction. As a community devoted to Christ, it’s crucial that we examine our hearts and actions. Are we prioritizing the comfort of our preferences over the challenging, transformative power of the gospel? Let us encourage one another to return to our first love, to rekindle the passion for the true gospel that once defined us. Let us not be a church that is dying, but one that is dynamically alive, anchored in the truth and spreading the light of Christ to all corners of the world. With warm regards and prayers for our collective spiritual renewal, Pastor Steven G. Lee (April 12, 2024)