Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church (Bible study)
Ledgewood, New Jersey
Spruce Lake Couples Retreat
October 4-5, 1996
Revelation 2:4
SPIRITUAL PASSION
I. Bible comparison of marriage and relationship with God.
A. Intimate and caring.
1) Hosea 2:14-23
2) Ephesians 5:21-33.
B. Rebellious and failed. (adultery)
1) Hosea.
2) Jeremiah 3. (God divorces Israel)
C. Both sets of relationships can inform the other.
II. First love.
A. Joy of conversion.
B. Everything seems new, real, and possible.
III. Lost love. Revelation 2:4
A. Drifting can occur slowly.
1) Hindsight shows us how far we're gone.
2) Rejection of faith may be end-result.
B. Main reasons.
1) Molded by alien culture.
2) Un-repented sin.
C. Major implications.
1) Lukewarm are spit out. Revelation 3:16
2) Drifting away from God completely?
IV. Renewed love.
A. Reviving your passion.
1) Time together.
a) Devotions, worship.
b) Christian literature - biographies, studies.
2) Special events. (planned for future and honored from past)
a) Christmas, Easter.
b) "Dates" with God.
3) Acknowledgement of what God has done for you.
a) Remember personal high points.
b) Given publicly. (testimony)
B. Love in action.
1) Involvement motivates, challenges.
2) Contact with non-Christians is especially invigorating.
