C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR AUGUST 29, 2021 LESSON THREE : TOPIC – WHEN LOVE WAXES COLD

Imagine the experience of love when a couple newly find one. It is such a great affection. They are both very concerned with one another. One things they are twins. What suddenly happened that the hissing, abuse, beatings, starving, etc. set in? Attention has been given to somebody/thing else, and that can lead to divorce. That is the situation between our God and some people. We must change.

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth (Rev. 3:16).

i. 2 Tim. 3:1-4: One of the dangers of cold love is hatred for God and His worship and service (Rom. 1:30). They only worship their bellies, with the desire to get rich by hook or cook, division, feud, ungodliness, and acting contrary to Holy Spirit to fulfill their purpose (Phil. 3:18-19; 1 Tim. 6:9-10).

ii. 1 Tim. 1:5-7: Those staying from God’s love dangerously relapse into idle talks that profit in no way.

iii. 4:1-5: They give their love to strange gods. That is, they give room to idols, joining occult groups, making incisions on their bodies, consulting mediums, among others. This is what those impatient Israelites did, when Moses seemed delayed. They looked back to ‘those old days’ and gave their love to strange gods (Exod. 32:1ff; Deut. 32:16). What became od them? Are we different today?

iv. Rev. 2:5: Here, the Lord warns that, He is coming in judgment to take away His ordinances, remove their ministers, and send them a famine of the Word — unchurch them. After the 5th Century, both the Church and the city declined, such that the glorious city of Ephesus is today but a heap of stones, and no light is shinning there. Such awaits whose love grows cold.

v. vv. 22,23: Sickness and death await those who lose their spiritual fervour.

vi. 3:15,16: Those who stay on the fence will definitely fall down. God’s anger awaits the immoral, ungodly and the finally impenitent 2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet. 4:5). God’s longsuffering will not be forever (2 Pet. 3:9,10; cf. Psa. 106:36-43).

vii. v. 17: Coldness of love results in wretchedness and being miserable, both spiritually and otherwise. It also yields the suicidal self-deceit.

viii. There is poverty of divine credentials in our churches today because we have grown backwardly cold in love for the Saviour. Are there no big title-holder without spiritual affiliations in our local assemblies, in spite of their length of church membership, like Diotrephes 3 Jhn. 1:9)?

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent (3:19).

i. 2:4-5: Christ’s advice to the Church at Ephesus — repent and make amends — is relevant to us (cf. v. 16; 3:3).

ii. When one misses his way, one must turn back, if one wants to get back on the way (cf. Lam. 5:21). Return to the days of old when prayer, fasting, Bible study, tarrying nights, etc. were highly fashionable. God is waiting for you (Isa. 55:1-3).

iii. vv. 9-10: Don’t fear tribulations/persecutions that the devil programme to make you lose your fervour. It is rewarding (cf. Gal. 6:9).

iv. 3:18,19: Stop deceiving yourself regarding your true condition in relation to God’s love. Honestly approach God for help to get back on your feet.

v. 22:12: It is man who changes. God’s judgment does not (2 Tim. 2:19). We are strangers and pilgrims on earth. What does it profit us, if we gain the whole world and lose our souls (Matt. 16:26; Lk. 9:25). Endure persecution, here, for a blissful eternity.

vi. 3:19ff: The joy is that God’s arm of love is still widely open to receive anyone who returns, like the prodigal son. Open the door of your heart to Him, now. Tomorrow might be too late (CACGHB 365).

vii. We must respond positively to the divine call that will usher us into a time of new beginning and refreshing, as we open the doors of our closed, rigid and hardened hearts to Him (Matt. 11:28; Rev. 3:20).

1. Those who will not change from their lawlessness must be ready for God’s wrath. No one can withstand His judgment!

2. It is better we endure His chastening for a change, now, than to wait endlessly in hell because of temporary pleasure.

1. In spite of the proliferation of churches, why are our members still cold in their faith?

2. Many who claim to be Christians are also into idolatry in one form, or the other. Are preachers not doing enough?

i. Lack of gentleness conversion

ii. Lack of in-depth knowledge of God’s Word

iii. Selfishness, over ambition

iv. Quest for materialism

v. Wrong reasons for serving God

vi. Individualism

vii. Idleness

viii. Poverty of divine credentials

ix. Carnality

i. Quest for fame, power, and popularity on the increase.

ii. “My glory must shine” syndrome. So at all cost, they want to fulfil it.

iii. There are many forms of idolatry: money, jewelry, jobs, dress, cars, and building. People now want to become best this and that. They want to become celebrities at all cost.

iv. Some are still into syncretism.

v. Ministers of God involve in rituals of all sorts, belong to occult groups and powers to explode their ministries.

vi. Preachers not doing enough. Some do compromise. They want to preach to please their members.

vii. Preachers are more concerned with numbers than their spiritual growth.

The Ephesians church in Asia Minor is here with us today. Yes! There is great pump and pageantry in our mode of service that one wants to think God’s throne has been moved permanently to the earth; men are labouring in the Lord’s name, but alas not far, or with Him. We may not have openly renounced God, for we go to church everyday with increased attendance, donations, but with decreased growth and God is asking individuals, “Where are you? We all have shifted from what we used to be, where we used to be, and how we used to do with our God in the past. We have forsaken the old path of dedication, perseverance, suffering for Christ’s sake, waiting in prayer and Bible study.

The trend is now global and easy “rush hour” way of having 5 super services on a Sunday, under 6 hours. Why? We can’t wait for and on God anymore. We now must go at our pace and ask God to follow us. Oh! We don’t love Him anymore. That is why there is divorce in our thoughts, doctrines and ways. But His love ever abounds, calling us still and saying, “My children, come home.” May our chicks listen to the cry of the hen to take cover and not be swallowed by the hawks of the world, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Glory be to God who has changed us these two weeks, to bring us back to our senses as regarding the levels of the coldness of our love for Him. Now we know that we have all been lost and need a comeback home. We need to retrace our steps back to our Lover — Jesus Christ, the Head and Husband of the Church. May His Spirit quicken us and bring us to our first love Husband of Him. Amen.

Mon. 23: Love Makes One Zealous Like Jesus (Psa. 69:7-9)

Tue. 24: Love Makes One Fervent In Spirit (Rom. 12:11)

Wed. 25: Love Breeds Spiritual Earnestness (2 Cor. 8:16ff)

Thur. 26: Love Breeds Zeal For God’s Work (Acts 21:20)

Fri. 27: Love Propels Genuine Intercession (Rom. 10:1ff)

Sat. 28: LOVE Is The Principal Thing (1 Tim. 1:5)