2026-02-08 AWAKEN MY CHURCH
Awaken Your Worship: Rediscovering Your First Love for Jesus
Ever notice how easy it is to stay busy for God while slowly drifting away from Him?
In the late 1990s, Mars Hill Church in Seattle exploded onto the scene. Thousands attended. Sermons went viral. Books flew off shelves. From the outside, it looked like a movement of God—and in many ways, it was. But underneath the growth, something was quietly unraveling. Relationships fractured. Trust eroded. Leaders clashed. And eventually, the church dissolved entirely. Not because they lacked resources or theology, but because they lost something far more fundamental: love practiced over time.
Churches don't usually lose their love for God overnight. It's a drift—slow, quiet, and often respectable.
The Church That Had Everything (Except What Mattered Most)
In Revelation 2, Jesus writes to the church in Ephesus—a congregation that would make any pastor envious. They worked tirelessly. They guarded sound doctrine. They exposed false teachers. They refused to tolerate evil. If Ephesus existed today, we'd invite them to speak at conferences and ask, "How did you do it?"
Yet Jesus delivers a devastating diagnosis: "You have abandoned the love you had at first" (Revelation 2:4).
They didn't stop believing truth. They didn't stop doing good works. They stopped loving Jesus. Somewhere along the way, defending the faith replaced delighting in the Savior. Service replaced intimacy. Activity replaced affection.
Think about marriage for a moment. You can tell your spouse "I love you" daily. You can check every box on the household to-do list. But you know what they really want? To be with you. Not just words. Not just tasks. Presence.
That's what Jesus wants from us too.
Remember, Repent, Return
Jesus doesn't abandon His church—He invites her back. His prescription is simple but profound:
Remember where you've fallen. Recall the joy you felt when Jesus first saved you. Remember the cross—God's greatest declaration of love, where Jesus took your punishment and gave you life.
Repent—not just feeling sorry, but turning your face back toward Jesus. Maybe your gaze has drifted to opinions, activities, or even good things that have replaced the best thing.
Return to the works you did at first. Not new programs or busier schedules, but simple obedience fueled by love.
Church history tells us Ephesus listened. Early records describe a church that returned to joyful devotion, united in love for Christ. They didn't end in failure—they came home.
Your Invitation to Return
Highland Baptist Church isn't just talking about ancient Ephesus or a Seattle megachurch. We're talking about us. About you.
Are we busy but cold toward Jesus? Faithful to show up but distracted from loving Him? Orthodox in belief but uninspired to love difficult people because of Him?
Jesus walks among His church today—in our hallways, classrooms, and conversations. Nothing escapes His gaze. And He's inviting us deeper.
Here's your challenge: For the rest of this month, pray this simple prayer daily: "Father, grow my worship of You by growing my love for You."
A church awakened isn't one that does more—it's one that loves Christ first. Let's be great at making Jesus famous by how deeply we love Him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we remember when You were our greatest joy. Forgive us where duty has replaced delight, where busyness has crowded out intimacy. We return to You not with promises, but with surrendered hearts. Grow our worship by growing our love. In Your name, Amen.