七教會 (3)

七教會 (3)
聖經閱讀：啟示錄2:1-7 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年4月3日(日)

　第一個信息是要送給在以弗所的教會，這個城市有著繁忙的海港，很多人去以弗所膜拜羅馬的神祉雅典娜，而這個城市主要的生意就是製作雅典娜神像。
耶穌告訴這間教會：「我知道你所做的；你怎樣辛勤工作，怎樣忍耐；我也知道你不容忍壞人」（第2a節），但是祂接著警告他們：「但是，有一件事我要責備你：就是你已經失去了當初對我的愛心」（第4節）。
剛信主的時候，我們會很興奮要去跟人分享耶穌的福音，我們等不及要去告訴朋友、家人關於耶穌的事，但是當面臨困難時，我們的熱情有時候就會稍稍減少了。這就是在以弗所教會發生的事。
耶穌說，這些基督徒要改變他們的心，回復起初的作法，這也是對我們的一個警訊。你要確定對上帝的愛和服事一天比一天多。 —DF

「上帝是愛；那有了愛在他的生命裏的人就是有上帝的生命，而上帝在他的生命裏。」 約翰壹書4:16b

禱告：親愛的天父，我愛祢，我願一天比一天更愛祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(周維音譯)

Seven Churches (3)
Bible Reading: Revelation 2:1-7
Sunday, April 3, 2016

　The first message is to the church in the city of Ephesus. This city had a busy harbor. Many people traveled to Ephesus to worship the Roman goddess Diana. The main business of the city was making idols of Diana.
Jesus tells this church “I know what you do, how hard you work and never give up. I know that you don't accept evil people” (verse 2a). But then He gives them a warning. “But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning”(verse 4).
When we first become Christians, we are excited to share the Good News about Jesus. We can't wait to tell our friends and family about Him. But when we face troubles, we sometimes lose some of our excitement. That's what was happening in the church in Ephesus.
Jesus said these Christians should change their hearts and do what they did in the beginning. That is a warning for us, too. Be sure that your love and service for God grows stronger every day. —DF

“God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them.” 1 John 4:16b

PRAYER: Dear Father, I love You. I want my love for You to grow stronger every day. In Jesus' name. Amen.