Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

We know we love God because He first loved us. (I John 4:19). I am persuaded by first love He is referring to the measure or level in which we loved God and the brethren in that order. I am also convinced that our love for God and the brethren was at its warmest level when we first believed and became obedient to Baptism (conversion). I have no doubt that exposure to the world and a desire for its comforts have served to cool my love that was once so warm, (God forgive). (Matt. 24:12) “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Notice (V13), But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.) Have we be gain to serve the creature more than the creator? Brethren, has your love waxed cold? Why am I not more zealous with this love God has spread abroad in my heart? Thank God His love for us does not diminish but has been consistent since before the foundation of the world. God changes not.

There was recently given me, by a precious Sister and her son, a recording of some Primitive Baptist singing and preaching which was evidently made in another part of the country since, the singing was lined much different than our singing. The singing seemed to be so spiritual and the preaching with such spirit and simplicity of the entire service I was made to rejoice as I sit and listened and could imagine what it would have been like to have been in that congregation. This seemed to stir and satisfy an emotion (or need) that had apparently lay dormant in me. Once again, I can’t over emphasize the simplicity of the entire service. This brings to mind a scripture and causes me to question whether I have lost a measure of the spirit by not holding to this principle. (II Cor. 11:3) “But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” I am made to wonder has my mind been corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ and as a consequence I have lost much joy and I fail to rejoice, as I ought. Brethren, these are things that each of you will have to search your soul and answer for yourself.

Being near 80 years old and having been raised in an old Baptist home I have accumulated many memories when everything in life was much more simple, and I especially, as a young child, have many precious memories of the Church. Not being a member of the Church at the time, and not desiring to live in the past, yet I longed for that spirit which I witnessed among the brethren, especially at Communion time as they took the bread and wine, washed each other’s feet, manifested their love by embracing each other, sang a song and went out and all this with tears flowing freely down their cheeks. I am convinced they were responding as the sprit of God moved them. These things I recall experiencing while a young child. I did not understand it all but just being present I felt a measure of what I believe was the spirit of God.

At Little Flock Church we have a measure of the spirit, which I hope I am thankful for, in our Communion service and our regular services and I am sure you do but I don’t see the spirit of God manifested to the level described above. Neither have I witnessed it in other churches to that degree, although I know there are exceptions to all rules or statements. Brethren, is it just me, maybe I haven’t prayed as I ought? Children of God, let us examine ourselves. Does He have somewhat against us? Have we left our first love? Has our minds been corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ?

Brethren, if I know my heart I love with all my body, soul and spirit, the Elect Lady and all her children and I have no desire or authority to criticize her, neither my brothers and sisters in Christ, but, I seek the cause why I do not experience the spirit of God to the intensity that I once did. What has changed? God doesn’t change. It must be me. I long once more brethren to hear shouting in the Church, to see God’s children rejoicing as the gospel is preached. (Phil. 4:4) “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.”

This feeble little effort is made at a time, according to numerous conversations with many Church members, when there seems to be a falling away (some exceptions) from the church. Attendance is generally down and relatively few are joining the Church. Has preaching changed? Brethren, I have personally sat and listened to some discourses that were preached with demonstration of the spirit and with power but none of His children responded and joined the Church. God has called many different gifts to labor in the gospel and each one must judge for himself if he is laboring in the manner that pleases God. The apostle Paul gave us all a good guideline in (I Cor. 2:4) “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power.” I have heard some extremely good discourses, in my opinion, but evidently the Lord’s people heard the words but not the message. I remember, in the Old Testament that God sent His prophets to Israel to warn them, but telling His Prophets they would not hear Him.

Have the Lord’s people changed? Are we as spiritual minded as we should be? Have we let a measure of flesh go to Church with us and we try to find a little satisfaction for it as well as the spiritual man, while at Church? What is your conversation about before Church starts? Is it about spiritual things? Do we bring any oil in our vessels for the lamps? Church time ought to be a time for spiritual things.

So many are concerned about the unstable conditions of the world. We can be assured of the Church’s continuation somewhere in the world because God made an emphatic statement that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Pertaining to the unstable conditions at this time, we cannot know if we (the Church) might be a part of other events, which God in His providence is bringing to pass. (Forgive my wondering mind.)

I am persuaded, that if all the Church of God will humble themselves and pray as a body and as individuals, that the Lord will hear and grant them a gracious rain. We so desperately need a revival of the spirit of God in our land and in the Church. Little children, pour out your soul before the Lord, even as Hannah. He has all the answers we need. Let us trust in Him for He will never forsake us.

Brethren, if we have left our first love let us repent that we might gain favour in the sight of God. He was not pleased with the Church at Ephesus and admonished them to repent. (Rev. 2:5) “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Do you think God would do any different with us than He did with them? He told us to remember from whence we are fallen and repent. Let us search our heart and soul to see if we have left our first love. If we have, let us repent and love with all the zeal and favour we have. The consequence of not repenting is to lose the candlestick out of his place and then we don’t have a Church, but just an assembly.

Brethren, forgive me if I have wounded any soul by this writing, it is not intentional. It is only of a longing for that sweet spirit that I make this effort; I am persuaded the closer we walk to God the greater will be our portion of the spirit. I remember, Elisha desired a double portion of the spirit, which Elijah had.

What little portion of time I have left I want to spend it among you as you go on your journey and rejoice in your Saviour’s love. Let me walk along with you here. He has given me a sweet hope that I will meet you there in heaven with the saints of all ages in that city not made with hands.