Guard God-given Relationships
Sermon by Pastor Peter Lui
As the church concludes its May sermon series on “Be Watchful,” Pastor Peter Lui brings the focus to what may be the most important relationship of all—our relationship with God. While previous messages explored guarding the heart, the home, and marriage, this sermon challenges believers to carefully guard their spiritual relationship with Christ and with fellow believers.
Pastor Peter begins with a sobering observation: major losses in life rarely happen overnight. Marriages do not suddenly collapse. Friendships do not instantly disappear. Families do not break apart in a day. In the same way, Christians often drift away from God gradually, through neglect, distraction, and spiritual complacency.
This is why Scripture repeatedly calls believers to be watchful, alert, and vigilant.
The Most Precious Relationship
According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, humanity’s chief purpose is:
“To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
Unlike many religions that portray God as distant and difficult to approach, Christianity reveals a God who desires relationship with His people. From the very beginning, God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, enjoying fellowship with them. Even after humanity fell into sin, God made a way for restoration through Jesus Christ.
The Christian life is therefore not primarily about religion—it is about relationship.
Through Christ’s death and resurrection, believers have been reconciled to God and invited into a deep and personal relationship with Him.
The Danger of Losing Our First Love
Pastor Peter draws attention to Jesus’ words to the church in Ephesus found in Revelation 2.
The Ephesian believers were commendable in many ways:
- They defended sound doctrine.
- They exposed false teachers.
- They persevered through hardship.
- They served faithfully.
Yet Jesus gave them a serious warning:
“You have left your first love.”
Their problem was not theological error but relational drift.
They had become busy doing things for Christ while neglecting intimacy with Christ.
Pastor Peter identifies several possible reasons for this loss of first love:
Orthodoxy Without Intimacy
The Ephesian church was doctrinally strong but spiritually cold. They defended truth passionately but neglected personal devotion.
Ministry Without Relationship
Years of serving, battling false teachings, and enduring persecution had left them spiritually weary. Activity replaced adoration, and responsibility replaced relationship.
Neglect of Communion with Christ
Prayer, worship, and personal fellowship with Jesus gradually became routine rather than relational.
Pressure from a Sinful Culture
Living in a spiritually hostile environment slowly eroded their passion and devotion.
Loving Truth More Than Christ
They became so focused on defending doctrine that they lost sight of the Person those doctrines pointed to.
The result was not sudden apostasy but a slow and almost unnoticed drift away from their first love.
Returning to First Love
Jesus’ remedy was simple yet profound:
Remember
Recall the passion and devotion you once had for Christ.
Repent
Acknowledge where your love has grown cold and turn back to Him.
Return
Resume the practices that nurtured your relationship with God in the beginning.
Pastor Peter challenges believers to ask themselves:
“Do I love Jesus more today than I did yesterday?”
Christian growth is not measured merely by knowledge, service, or ministry involvement. It is measured by growing affection, devotion, and intimacy with Christ.
Guarding Relationships Within God’s Family
The sermon then shifts from our relationship with God to our relationships with fellow believers.
When we accept Christ, we become members of God’s family. We are no longer strangers but brothers and sisters in Christ, united by the same Heavenly Father and the same salvation.
Pastor Peter emphasizes the biblical term “Brethren”, reminding the church that spiritual relationships are deeply significant. The church is not merely an organization but a family.
Believers are called to:
- Love one another sincerely
- Support one another faithfully
- Protect unity diligently
- Build relationships intentionally
These spiritual bonds often transcend even natural relationships because they are rooted in Christ Himself.
Guarding Against the Enemy’s Attacks
The enemy actively seeks to destroy both our relationship with God and our relationships with one another.
Pastor Peter identifies several common tactics Satan uses:
Sowing Misunderstanding
Twisting words, motives, and intentions to create unnecessary conflict.
Spreading Gossip and Half-Truths
Using careless speech to damage reputations and weaken unity.
Amplifying Small Offences
Turning minor disagreements into major divisions.
Promoting Isolation
Encouraging believers to withdraw from fellowship, making them vulnerable to spiritual attack.
God’s Remedy
Scripture provides practical ways to resist these attacks:
- Speak the truth in love.
- Clarify before judging.
- Refuse gossip and rumours.
- Preserve the unity of the Spirit.
- Pray continually for one another.
Most importantly, believers are called to put on the full armour of God and remain vigilant through prayer. Prayer remains one of the most powerful weapons against spiritual attack.
Final Reflection
Pastor Peter closes with a heartfelt challenge: guard your relationship with Christ above all else.
The greatest danger is not open rebellion but gradual drift. Love can cool. Passion can fade. Devotion can become routine.
But God continually invites His people back into deeper intimacy with Him.
May we never take His love for granted.
May our love for Jesus grow stronger each day.
And may we remain watchful, guarding both our relationship with God and our relationships with one another, until the day we stand before Him.
