You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
Our passion is to experience and express grace.
Join us.
I can't hear that song without thinking of Delilah Harris.
Many of you won't know Delilah.
She's been with Jesus for several years now.
She was a special part of this church family.
And she would light up when she talked to you about walking with Jesus and talking with Jesus.
And she'd love to talk about their especially close relationship the last several years of her life that she lived alone as a widow.
And she talked about that a lot.
And this rock actually belonged to Delilah and Jack, her husband.
When this church was built here, they got to pick something to write on a rock that they were so thankful that the foundation of this church was built on.
And they wrote, God's saving grace.
The grace of the Savior that Delilah loved and loved walking with.
This was her favorite hymn.
The one that reminded her of how Jesus walked with her.
Walking with Jesus.
Talking with Jesus.
Hearing him constantly shape who we are as he calls us his own.
That's the kind of relationship I want us to talk about for a few weeks this summer.
We have been marveling these past few months at the historical, real Jesus of the Gospel of John.
Watching him work wonders.
Learning who he is.
Hearing him invite us to find life by believing in him.
To find life in him.
Not just life one day, someday, but life today with him.
That we would have relationship with the living Jesus.
The walking and the talking.
So I want to slow down this summer as I told you last week.
Take a break from John.
To ask, what does that actually look like?
What does it look like for us to enjoy that moment by moment, day by day relationship with God?
That relationship with God is the most important of our three key relationships here.
It's where it all starts.
What do we mean when we talk about walking with Jesus?
See, I think while some of us would say with Delilah, oh, I know exactly what you mean.
Relationship with Jesus.
That is the joy of my life.
It's why I've loved being a part of this church family.
Because it was here that I first was told I could actually have a relationship with God.
And it's been life changing for me.
It feels like this beautiful picture of walking with Jesus in the pathways of grace.
Yes.
And I know some of us feel that way.
I also know that many others of us have a more difficult time with that whole idea of relationship with God.
We struggle to understand or to experience that relationship.
Some of us would say things like, I mean, I say Jesus is the most important thing in the world to me.
I really do believe that I need him and I depend on his grace.
But honestly, just practically in life, I'm really busy with work like all day, every day.
Or I'm just trying to keep up with the kids these days.
I don't know what you mean about relationship.
I've kind of figured out how to manage and get by, get through life without some active relationship with God.
Others might add, I've managed to go quite a while without really knowing about relationship with God.
Jesus or Christianity is just an appendage, as Bill prayed earlier, an accessory to my life.
If I'm honest, I mean, it's something I do from time to time.
But I've never felt it as more than that.
I mean, come on, pastor.
I come to church most Sundays.
I try to be nice.
I give roughly 10%.
After all, isn't that what God really wants?
What else do I need?
Quit all this mushy-gushy relationship talk.
I got this figured out.
I'm okay.
Whether you've always delighted in relationship with God,
whether you've always had a difficult time with relationship with God,
or whether you have never thought relationship with God was even a real thing,
that's where I want us to start this morning.
Before jumping into ways that we experience that relationship this summer,
we'll talk about how God meets us in his word,
how to hear and talk with God in prayer, those kinds of things.
But I want us to start with why relationship?
Why is that even important?
Well, it's really important to God.
The Bible says it is fundamental to why he made us,
how he made us to work,
and to have this relationship with him and with others
the way Father and Son and Holy Spirit have always enjoyed this special relationship.
So many passages all the way through the Bible highlight this.
So this morning I considered staying in John one more week
and talking about abiding in Christ like a branch connected to the vine.
It's this beautiful image of that relationship God made us for, right?
Or Psalm 23, where day by day our shepherd leads us
and feeds us and provides all we need
and makes us lie down and gives us peace and restores our souls.
I consider reflecting on Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us, right?
Just as he tabernacled with his people for generations and generations,
then in the flesh he walks among us and he dwells with us forever.
Or the fact that when he walked here, when he was living on this earth,
he was known as friend of sinners.
What good news that is for people like me and you,
that Jesus is friend of sinners.
I considered Colossians 2, where Paul tells us to walk day by day in Jesus.
That special daily relationship where we're so united to him
that our relationship guides our daily lives,
our highest praise, the things that are most worthy.
Or Philippians 3, where Paul longs to know Christ.
It's the greatest treasure he can imagine.
To experience the actual fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,
of having that relationship with Jesus
that would be better than any other spiritual achievement
or experience that he could imagine.
See, this is at the heart of the Bible story about God and us,
this is this relationship.
But I decided to focus briefly this morning
on a bit more direct challenge to God's people
about their struggles in relationship with him.
We're going to look at letters to the churches
in the book of Revelation
that are about what's really important,
how they've missed it,
and what needs to change.
And then I realized this week
that those chapters were in our Bible reading plan
just this week.
So many of you have already read them.
God's timing is perfect.
He wants us to study this.
So, let's stop and pray
that God will show us his heart,
grow each of our relationships with him,
wherever they are right now,
to be more real
and deeper
and more delightful to our souls.
Let's pray.
God, we do ask for that.
But our hope in this
is that we know that is more important to you
than it is to us.
That you want us to know you.
Us to walk with you and talk with you.
Us to know because of Jesus
that we're yours,
that you love us
and have brought us into your family.
So, would you use your word this morning
not just to teach our heads,
but to direct our hearts
to love you and walk with you.
We ask it in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Friday mornings,
you can find Christy and me
almost without fail
at Latoile.
It's this wonderful local French bakery.
We'll be sipping a latte
and a glass of ice water.
Relaxing.
Talking about life,
about our relationship.
Plenty of people come in and out.
Many of you have seen us there.
We love getting to see you.
But for the better part of the morning,
it is just the two of us.
And let me be clear
about this aspect of our relationship.
Our relationship is a significant part
of every day.
Of every single thing that I do.
I am mindful of Christy throughout the day
even when I'm with others, right?
Even when we're going in different directions,
each taking a kid to something else.
When I'm grilling dinner
and she's with a child,
I care about her.
Then my love for her never stops.
And my knowing what she's feeling
or at least wondering how she's doing
is 24-7.
But there's something special,
something important
about Friday mornings at Latoile.
Our 24-7 relationship
needs those regular times
where we can talk with one another
about our relationship.
I get to learn some of what is on her heart.
What she's excited about.
What she's anxious about.
How I am or am not
communicating love to her.
How we together
are going to approach parenting
or friendship
or the other times that week
where a lot will be going on
and it won't be just the two of us
in those moments.
Sometimes our coffee date
lasts longer than others.
Sometimes the connection
and conversation
is better than others.
Sometimes I just sit there
and wonder
how did you end up with me?
And how are you still here?
But it's a chance to be together
and on our better days
remember why we fell in love
with one another
once upon a time.
Back in the first place.
We've been doing this
only the past couple of years.
I wish we had started sooner.
I look forward to Friday mornings
every week
because I love
being in relationship
with Christi.
Do we have similar feelings
and moments like that
in our relationship with God?
I think we should.
More importantly
God wants us to.
I want us to notice briefly
three letters
Jesus writes to churches
in the book of Revelation
that all highlight
the significance
of this relationship.
By so doing
they point out
how easily
we neglect
this relationship.
Maybe because
we've never known
God at all.
Or because
we've been in a season
of losing focus.
Distraction.
Listen first
to his words
to the church
in Ephesus
at the beginning
of chapter 2.
To the angel
of the church
in Ephesus
write
the words
of him
who holds
the seven stars
in his right hand
who walks
among the seven
golden lampstands.
I know your works
your toil
and your patient endurance
how you cannot bear
with those who are evil
but have tested
those who call themselves
apostles and are not
and found them
to be false.
I know you are
enduring patiently
and bearing up
for my name's sake
and you have not
grown weary
sounds pretty good
right?
What great encouragement
they're doing
so many good works
holding so tightly
to the truth
right?
Enduring
and suffering
but
verse 4
I have this
against you
that you have
abandoned
the love
you had
at first
that
honeymoon
love
deep
fresh
can feel it
tangible
remember
therefore
from where
you have
fallen
repent
and do
the works
you did
at first
if not
I will
come to you
and remove
your lampstand
from its place
unless you repent
yet this you have
you hate
the works
of the Nicolaitans
which I also
hate
he who has
an ear
let him hear
what the spirit
says to the churches
to the one
who conquers
I will grant
to eat
of the tree
of life
which is in
the paradise
of God
this first
warning
is a heart
check
for God's
people
isn't it
it's like
getting a heart
cath
some of you
have been there
and you
found out
that there's
a blockage
in your heart
that you didn't
know about
you're living
well
there's lots
of good
things going
on
you didn't
know
but there's
a problem
with your
heart
you've
abandoned
your first
love
God is
concerned
first
with who
we are
before
what we
do
it's that
first love
love for
Christ
that drives
then a love
for a neighbor
for other
people
and so the
prescription
given for the
heart blockage
is what
repentance
return to him
come back
to Jesus
Jesus
do you
remember
your early
days
with Jesus
was it at
a VBS
maybe like
Kathy described
as a kid
memorizing
God's word
and just
eating it up
was it at
college
telling everyone
around you
how awesome
Jesus is
maybe for you
it's just been
in the past
couple of years
that your
heart found
life in Jesus
for the very
first time
in spite of
yourself
but now
already
you've moved
on to a
busy life
of performance
of doing
things
and you've
forgotten
how overjoyed
you were
to find
God
to see him
love you
at your
worst
when you've
done nothing
but give him
reasons to
turn away
from you
how much
you treasured
Jesus
then
remember
those emotions
those moments
that
love
and repent
God
I'm so
sorry
after all
my life
and all
my wanderings
how are you
still with
me
Jesus
it's been
so long
since we've
talked
but you're
calling me
back to
delight in
you
and then
the fruit
of love
can grow
from a
renewed
heart
there's a
warning here
for us
isn't there
to be
honest about
your heart
have you
left
your first
love
have you
decided
if you're
honest
that life
is mostly
okay
with Jesus
mostly
on the
shelf
on the
side
more of a
thing to
do
occasionally
than a
person
to love
God
is calling
our hearts
back to
himself
don't
neglect
relationship
with me
any longer
use this
summer
I think he
would say
as a chance
to see the
love that you
had at first
rekindled
that's what
I'm hoping
we'll set it
aside for
wherever we
are there
pray for
that
right now
pray
pray that
God would
would do
that in
your heart
today
and through
these next
few weeks
don't delay
or ignore
the results
of the
heart check
any longer
ask God
to work
there
second
warning
to the
church in
Sardis
of course
all these
letters were
read to all
the churches
there's a
lesson
for us
too
Revelation
3
verse 1
to the
angel of
the church
in Sardis
write
the words
of him
who has
the seven
spirits of
God
in the
seven
stars
I know
your
works
you have
the
reputation
of being
alive
but you
are dead
wake up
and strengthen
what remains
and is about
to die
for I have
not found
your works
complete
in the sight
of my
God
remember
then what
you received
and heard
keep it
and repent
if you will
not wake
up I will
come like a
thief and you
will not know
at what hour
I will come
against you
yet you still
have a few
names in
Sardis
people who
have not
soiled their
garments
and they
will walk
with me
in white
for they
are worthy
the one
who conquers
will be
clothed
thus in
white garments
and I will
never blot
his name
out of the
book of
life
I will
confess his
name before
my father
and before
his angels
he who has
an ear
let him hear
what the
spirit says
to the
churches
again a
church that
looks good
on the
outside
but inside
it's dead
Jesus is
very concerned
he sets
off the
alarm
wake up
God is
not done
with you
yet
isn't that
so hopeful
God's
not done
with you
even though
you're
dead
no he's
not cutting
you loose
to move
on to
someone
better
no
so what's
the call
again it's
the same
call it's
to remember
what you
received
and heard
a way of
saying the
gospel
the good
news of
Jesus
the hope
of the
scriptures
repent
and come
back to
him
in fact
you can
be like
he's saying
to those
who have
wandered
who have
soiled
their garments
you can
be like
those in
your church
who walk
with
Jesus
clothed
in his
righteousness
experiencing
the joy
of Jesus
being with
you and
for you
rather than
against you
that's the
warning is
that he'll
come against
you
he could
be with
you
walking
with you
and for
you
have
you felt
that sense
of drifting
spiritually
just
I'm just
here
I haven't
changed anything
I believe
I just don't
feel it
anymore
I'm checked
out
what's Jesus'
heart for you
if that's
what you feel
come back
to me
he's urging
you
toward
revival
towards
new life
with him
don't keep
drifting
come walk
with me
draw on
my strength
find life
not in
other things
but in me
otherwise you're
dead
unless you
find life
in me
one more
warning
with an
invitation
perhaps the
most famous
of these
seven letters
the final one
to the church
in Laodicea
verse 14
to the angel
of the church
in Laodicea
write
the words
of the amen
the faithful
and true
witness
the beginning
of God's
creation
I know
your works
you are
neither cold
nor hot
would that
you were
either cold
or hot
so because
you are
lukewarm
and neither
hot nor
cold
I will spit
you out
of my mouth
for you
say I am
rich
I have
prospered
and I need
nothing
not realizing
that you
are wretched
pitiable
poor
blind
and naked
I counsel
you to buy
from me
gold refined
by fire
so that you
may be rich
and white
garments
so that you
may clothe
yourself
and the shame
of your
nakedness
may not be
seen
and salve
to anoint
your eyes
so that you
may see
wretched
pitiable
poor
blind
and naked
even though
you felt
strong
and rich
even though
you dress
up really
well
even though
you made
budget
last year
even though
you know
theology
watch out
you're lukewarm
milk toast
Christians
not offering
refreshment
or comfort
and healing
to anyone
around you
to the world
God is
threatening
to spit
you out
then listen
verse 19
because that's
pretty tough
you don't want
God spitting
you out
those whom
I love
I reprove
and discipline
so be zealous
and repent
behold
I stand
at the door
and knock
if anyone
hears my voice
and opens
the door
I will come
into him
and eat
with him
and he
with me
the one
who conquers
I will grant
him to sit
with me
on my throne
as I also
conquered
and sat
down
with my
father
on his
throne
he who
has an
ear
let him
hear
what the
spirit
says
to the
churches
another call
to repentance
isn't it
with an
incredible
invitation
here
to the
church goer
who feels
so far
from God
to the
Christian
who feels
exposed
and
exhausted
to the
person
who feels
utterly
unworthy
of any
relationship
with God
what does
Jesus say
I will
come in
and eat
with you
the word
used here
is for the
meal that
was at
the end
of the
day
after all
the day's
work was
done
everything else
had been
set aside
and people
would linger
together
over
conversation
and
friendship
this is
the
Jesus
then
who is
the
bread
of life
the
divine
king
of all
glory
the
miracle
working
resurrection
and the
life
saying to
you
offering
to you
to renew
acquaintance
fellowship
friendship
with you
don't rush
off to go
do amazing
things
to impress
him
or get
his attention
no I'm
right here
knocking at
the door
it's what
repentance
means
just the
thing to
do
is to
repent
to restore
fellowship
with me
to invite
me back
into the
center of
your life
to linger
with me
in this
relationship
Jesus says
that's
true riches
buy that
it's actually
free for you
buy it
it'll last
it's real
clothes
that'll actually
cover you
it's corrected
vision
to see the
most glorious
person
the weightiest
the most
important
relationship
see me
I'll do
that for you
just open
the door
I'm here
to meet
with you
and to
linger
long
with you
Jesus says
do you hear
how important
it is to
Jesus
that we
individually
and corporately
as a church
are nurturing
relationship
with him
it's not
it's not just a
verse here
or there
this is his
heart
he warns us
repeatedly
because he
knows how
easy it is
to neglect
the heart
is that easy
that's very
easy for us
to get busy
with all the
things we're
doing and
miss the heart
he knows how
natural it is
to drift
spiritually
drifting is
very easy
that's the
definition
of it
he knows
how comfortable
it can feel
to be a
half-hearted
nominal
box-checking
Christian
who thinks
all God
cares about
is you're
doing some
things for
him
y'all that's
religion
Jesus is
about
relationship
he's not
trying to
drive you
away
with these
strong words
he's wanting
to sit
down and
eat
to walk
with you
to renew
your first
love
you'll notice
in each of
these letters
there's a
communal
encouragement
isn't there
for the
church
that he's
writing to
my heart
for Southwood
is the same
not just
some of us
walking with
Jesus in the
pathways of
grace
boy wouldn't
it be great
if there were
just a few
of us
no
not just
some of us
reading God's
word
not just
some of our
grace groups
spurring one
another on to
love and good
deeds
not just some
of us sharing
the hope of
Christ with
our neighbors
now don't you
long for all
of us together
to be around
the family dinner
table because
we've come with
Jesus and we
often do this
on Sundays
and we come
and we linger
together
living with
him
loving him
because Jesus
has brought all
of us into
this special
relationship
don't you want
to experience
that
I want to
invite all
of us
into this
journey
this summer
I mean that
wherever you
are with
Jesus
that this is
an invitation
into revival
renewal
refreshing
of that
relationship
I think
that's his
invitation
to all
of us
we're going
to be very
practical
this summer
in the weeks
ahead there
will be
age appropriate
resources
for all
of us
I'm told
we are even
going to use
a QR code
so that you
can get it
and when they
tell me what
that is
I'll explain
it to you
but you'll
be able to
access resources
young people
and adults
and no matter
how long
you've been
walking with
Jesus
that will
help you
along the
path of
walking
with him
this morning
I just want
to give you
one practical
question
just something
to start
thinking about
we'll talk
about it
through the
summer
what's the
one time
that directs
all your
time
in my
relationship
with Christy
I told you
about that
Friday morning
time
that directs
all our
time for a
24-7
relationship
Friday mornings
are not
the extent
of our
relationship
that wouldn't
work
would it
they're part
of the rhythm
like mornings
and evenings
Friday mornings
together
impact all
the other
time
so then we
think about
how this
one time
directs
all our
other time
I'm asking
you that
in your
relationship
with Jesus
what's your
one time
that helps
direct you
to live
all your
time
with him
24-7
what's that
time on a
daily basis
a regular
rhythm
when you
can remember
your first
love
when he
can tell
you who
you are
to him
in relationship
with him
and you
can marvel
that he's
still with
you
when he
can linger
with you
to hear
your heart
and what's
going on
there
when he
can direct
your path
I trust
with Jesus
in that
relationship
that Sunday
mornings
are part
of that
weekly
rhythm
we'll talk
about that
later this
summer
but what's
your daily
rhythm
like
doesn't
have to
be the
same time
every day
of course
it doesn't
have to
be
but for
most of
us
schedules
fill up
pretty
quickly
and things
that are
priorities
need to
be set
early
is it
first thing
in the
morning
that's
often
best
for me
is it
right after
the kids
go to
bed
is it
right when
you get
to the
office
is it
at the
end
of family
dinner
the Bible
doesn't tell
you when
it has to
be
you don't
have to
have an
answer to
that this
morning
but I want
to encourage
you to be
thinking about
when that
special time
with Jesus
could be for
you
it is
so worth
it
we'll talk
about what
can happen
there in
that time
but if you
get some time
alone with
Jesus this
week
just the
two of
you
will you
text or
email someone
just one
line
this is
my time
will you
share that
with somebody
share it
with someone
in your
grace group
text or
email it
to me
yes
I would
love to
get hundreds
of emails
yes I
would
hundreds of
short emails
telling me
it would let
me know how
to enter in
and pray for
you during
that time
to know what
God is doing
in your life
but if you
would just
share that
with someone
when you
share it
might encourage
someone else
in considering
what the time
can be for
them
now as we
finish I want
to acknowledge
that that
can be pretty
scary
I remember
how scared
I was I
was really
worried a
couple years
ago when I
went on
sabbatical and
I was sent
to spend
some time
alone with
Jesus
and I only
told a few
of you this
before I
left but I
was afraid
honestly that I
would get
there
and he
wouldn't
that I'd
be stood
up so to
speak
that I'd
be sitting
there in
this awkward
silence
you ever felt
the awkward
silence
am I the
only one who
has awkward
I know I'm
socially awkward
but come on
somebody else
has felt going
somewhere and
it's just you
and I don't
know what to
do
maybe you
felt that
maybe you
fear that
too
you don't
look forward
to time
just the
two of
you
you and
Jesus
he doesn't
talk much
pastor
it's kind
of quiet
start by
just showing
up for a
few minutes
and telling
him that
just being
honest about
that struggle
that fear
that you
have
repenting
that he's
been telling
us about
returning to
him can be
that simple
it's not
this complex
spiritual
thing
it's coming
back to
him
he describes
it as
opening the
door
he's knocking
he's there
I can tell
you from
personal experience
God met me
there in that
time
I so needed
it
that God
delighted to
meet me
and continues
to meet with
me because I
still need it
and I am so
thankful that
he's there
and that he
delights to
walk with us
and talk with
us and tell
us who we
are
walking with
Jesus will
change your
life in a
good way
in the best
way change
all of your
life it'll
change every
moment of
every day
that's what it
did for Mary
when she was
in the garden
right and she
got to walk
and talk with
Jesus and when
he told her
now let go
and here's what
you'll go do
he met her
there and we
so need that
vital encouragement
don't we
the one who
warns us
is with us
there is so
much life
and hope
in that he
is knocking
at the door
to come in
and eat with
us isn't he
but even more
than that look
look where he
is and what he's
doing in this
passage because I
think we often
picture God
far off from
us especially
when we've been
going in different
directions with
him wandering
off perhaps for
a long time
and the picture
we have of him
is him way off
in the distance
crossing his
arms tapping
his foot
shaking his
head
that's not
what he tells
us he's doing
these words of
warning are
from the one
who holds the
seven stars in
his right hand
and walks among
the seven golden
lampstands might
not mean much
to you what
revelation one
has already told
us is that is
figurative language
for Jesus walking
among his
churches his
people holding
them and their
leaders and their
angels in his
hand he is with
us already he
gave his life to
establish this
relationship with
us in the first
place so when we
open the door and
make the time and
turn to him he is
there you can count
on it to renew the
relationship he
started to walk
with us to hold
us every day
hallelujah what a
savior hallelujah what
a friend let's
pray
Jesus we're gonna
trust you for that
we're gonna do what
might feel awkward to
many of us and trust
you that you want a
relationship with us
more than we
understand what that
means we need your
spirit to work in our
hearts that we would
feel your love for us
that we would taste the
riches and the sweetness
of your grace that we
would know that walking
with you is the best
place for us to be so
many other things will
scream at us before we
walk out the back doors
of this room this
morning as more
important and more
worthy of our attention
and our time Jesus
would you continue to
bring yourself before
us help us to
encourage one another
in that that we might
meet you and see our
love for you grow and
our lives changed
thank you for promising
to meet us thank you
for continuing to
pursue us thank you
that you're already here
with us we give you
thanks in your name
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