In Sunday Sermon, Arun Sebastian, shares his testimony about how God answered his prayers and transformed his life. He emphasizes the importance of mastering the basics of faith, comparing it to a reputable restaurant delivering a good meal. Using the Church of Ephesus as an example, which thrived under Apostle Paul but was later rebuked in Revelation for losing its first love, Arun's story and scripture highlight the need to stay true to the foundational principles of Christianity.
Paul founded the Church of Ephesus and handed the leadership to individuals such as Timothy. Acts describes the fear of God being centered on the city, signifying revival among both Gentiles and Jews. John the Apostle also visited this church, and some letters were presumed to be meant for them. However, they fell short and faced a strong rebuke in Revelations 2:2-6. Jesus began by complimenting their deeds but then stated that they had forsaken their first love for Him. He warned that if they continued in their ways, their lampstand would be taken away. By the 2nd century, there was no church in Ephesus, roughly 50 years after this letter. This serves as a reminder that we need to get back to the basics of faith. We need to examine ourselves, repent, and ensure we are holding strong to our love for Christ. Don't let your heart and fire for God grow cold. Stay prayed up and in the Word; God’s still there, so get back to the basics.
The sermon continues with reflections on how modern believers can learn from the Ephesians' mistakes. The sermon underscores the importance of maintaining love for God and each other, even amidst hard work and knowledge of scripture. Personal anecdotes illustrate the struggle to maintain spiritual fire and the importance of returning to one's spiritual roots when facing challenges. The congregation is encouraged to focus on the basics of faith, seek God's guidance, and maintain a strong prayer life. The sermon concludes
with a call to regularly examine one's spiritual condition, give cheerfully, and maintain a connection with God through daily introspection and submission to His word.