I want to exhort you today on why we should return to the first works and do them. I believe that we all remember that at the beginning of the year, the Lord spoke to us that we should return to do the first works. Each of us should remember from where we have fallen and begin to do the first works.
[Revelation 2:5 KJV] “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
Indeed, we know without a doubt that the first works is to pray, witness, and give to the nations of the world.
We are called and graced to pray for the world, testify of the goodness of the Lord, and give to missions and charity.
These are the three elements of the first works. This is the first works we must be doing. This is what should occupy us as the body of Christ. Every one of us must get involved and give his or her all.
Every vision and mission has a price tag and we must be willing to pay that price. If we can fulfil the commission, we must be willing to: follow leadership, give ourselves and resources to the work, and purge ourselves of iniquity and the love of the world. This is what it will take to discharge this charge without fail. This is what we must be willing to commit.
It is important to also understand that whereas every vision and mission has a price, it also has rewards. When we serve the Lord with diligence and passion, there are rewards that accrue to us. The book of Job reveals some of the rewards of returning to do the first works. When we return to the Lord to do the first works:
- We shall prosper
- We shall be protected
- We shall be favoured
- We shall receive answers to our prayers
- Our decrees shall be established
- We shall then make our boast in the Lord
[Job 22:23-30 KJV] “If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thoushalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. [24] Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
[25] Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver. [26] For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. [27] Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
[28] Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. [29]When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. [30] He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.
Nobody works for the Lord and regrets the decision. I believe with all of my heart that you shall walk in the news of His blessings as you step out and work for the Lord. You shall not be put to shame. The Lord shall sustain and bless you.
I love you
Pastor Simpe Bediako
Amen. Thank you for reminding us of our call to the first works of God. Hallelujah!!