The article discusses the church in Ephesus that Jesus rebuked for leaving their "first love." It notes that the church was diligent in identifying false teachers but Jesus said their works did not matter because their hearts were not right with God. It encourages readers to never forget their first love of God and to ensure their doctrine follows God's word. It also notes that Jesus offered forgiveness and restoration to those who repent and return to their first works.

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Vol. 45 February 11, 2020 Number 6
OUR FIRST LOVE
Barry Kennedy
This time of year, many people are focusing on the subject of love. Stores are
decorated with red balloons, hearts, and roses. The card companies, chocolate shops,
and jewelry stores are in full force, awaiting the rush of those “last minute” shoppers
(i.e. men). With all this “love-stuff” on people’s minds, how many have the ability to
recall their “first love?” Right now, some of you are probably thinking back to some
young girl or boy to whom you probably passed a note saying, “Do you love me check
yes or no.” Some of those “relationships” went on to become strong marriages, but
statistically most were simply forgotten. There is a “first love” that all of mankind
should experience and never forget. That is, one’s love for God. Jesus had a message for
the church at Ephesus, “. . . I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy
first love” (Revelation 2:4). What lessons should one learn from what the Lord had to
say to the church in Ephesus?
No amount of good can make up for a heart that is not right with God. Jesus
made this abundantly clear in this letter to the church at Ephesus. Jesus said that He
knew their “works” (v. 2). The church in Ephesus was diligently laboring to make sure
no “false apostles” were allowed to spread their lies among the brethren. Jesus made
mention of how they “tried them” proving them to be liars. This principle was also
taught by the apostle Paul. “Prove (test or try) all things; hold fast that which is good” (1
Thessalonians 5:21). John also warned, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (prove
or test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out
into the world” (1 John 4:1). One should always make sure that the doctrine that he
follows is, without a doubt, the word of God. Consider Paul’s rebuke to the church in
Galatia,
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of
Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble
you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached
unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man
preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed
(Galatians 1:6-9).
In spite of the good works the Ephesian brethren were carrying out, specifically
rebuking the false teachers of the day, Jesus said, “I have somewhat against thee”
(Revelation 2:4). That “somewhat” was no small matter to the Lord. He said that they had
left their first love, meaning their hearts were not in their works. One cannot be a rigid
legalist and expect God to be pleased. How sad it will be for those who, for all their lives,
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ELDERS
Mike Childers..............397-6453
Dennis Hallmark .........255-5557
Mark Hitt.....................322-0917
Bobby Lindley.............260-9193
DEACONS
Wade Bryan.................419-5552
William Harris.............416-8149
Ricky Lindsey .............255-8136
Jeff Mansel..................871-0357
Jimmy Spearman.........840-8957
Michael Wilson ...........891-0891
MINISTERS
Barry Kennedy ... (931)787-7108
Alex Blackwelder (731)879-9196
SECRETARY
Renee Childers
Office...........................842-6116
Fax...............................842-7091
E-MAIL
eastmaincoc38804@gmail.com
WEB PAGE
eastmaincoc.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
Worship....................... 9:00 a.m.
Bible Classes............. 10:15 a.m.
Worship..................... 11:15 a.m.
Singing or Devotional
Last Sunday of the Month
MID-WEEK
SERVICES
Wednesday Classes .....7:00 p.m.
EAST MAIN CHURCH OF CHRIST
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)

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made sure to “dot every I and cross every T” only to find
out, in judgment, that God never knew them. Why would
this ever happen? Jesus said, “This people honoreth me
with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Matthew
7:6). Of course, God demands obedience, but that
obedience must be from the heart. “If you love Me, keep
My commandments” (John 14:15). What other lesson
can one learn from the church in Ephesus?
God wants to forgive and restore all estranged
relationships. Jesus made sure that the church in Ephesus
(Christians today as well) understood the fact that He
was willing to forgive their sins, as well as, restore their
place in His Kingdom. “Remember therefore from
whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first
works;” (Revelation 2:5a). He knows that his children
have the ability to overcome their temptations and as a
blessing for those who do overcome, He offers the “tree
of life.” “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I
give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the
paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). It all starts with one’s
willingness to “hear” what God’s Word has to say. After
all, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word
of God” (Romans 10:17). Hearing the “good news” of
God’s love for man should build within the heart of man
a strong love for God and a desire to serve Him
faithfully. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1
John 4:19).
The cross of Christ is an undeniable proof of
God’s love for man. In fact, He has said, “I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5). There is
no denying where God stands. The task at hand is to
make sure that God never has a reason to say to us that
we have left OUR FIRST LOVE.
Sympathy
We extend our sympathy to Wesley Bass in the
loss of his brother, Raymond, on Feb. 5. Funeral
services were held Feb. 8 in Ripley. (Also, Wesley’s
uncle, Gene, passed away on Feb. 8. Arrangements
were incomplete at this time.)
Our condolences to Barry Kennedy in the loss of
his aunt, Juanita, on Feb. 5. Funeral services were held
in Booneville, on Feb. 9.
Thank You Notes
Thank you for all of the cards, phone calls, and acts
of kindness shown to me for my birthday, and for
those who attended my party. All of it made for a day
I’ll never forget. And a special thank you to those that
helped my family pull off such a wonderful and
memorable day. In Christian love,
Mary Lou Walden
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you so much for all the cards, calls, visits
and prayers during my illness. You are such a loving
Christian family. I am so wonderfully blessed to have
a family as loving as you have been to me.
In Christian love,
Billie McNutt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear East Main family,
It is hard to find the words to express my deep
appreciation to you for the many acts of kindness you
have shown to me & my family since the sudden
passing of my brother. Thank you for the beautiful
piece of pottery, for the many cards and gifts, for all
the hugs & kind words, but most of all thank you for
all the prayers. Love you all,
Judy Bates & family
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you to everyone who has shown an act of
kindness towards us during the recent loss of my
sister, Ruby. It’s been a rough 9 months. Please
continue to keep us in your prayers. In Christian love,
The Lindleys
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea

3. Daily Bible Reading
February 12...........................................Numbers 5-8
February 13.........................................Numbers 9-12
February 14.......................................Numbers 13-16
February 15.......................................Numbers 17-20
February 16.......................................Numbers 21-25
February 17.......................................Numbers 26-27
February 18.......................................Numbers 28-30
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Justin Webb (Feb. 12), Leigh
Bland (Feb. 15), Eden Davis (Feb. 16), Jenna
Harris (Feb. 18), Tanner Hitt (Feb. 18).
Anniversaries: Mike & Carol Cross (Feb. 14).
Our Sick
Jean Mounce had a doctor appointment in
Birmingham on Monday. Evelyn Thompson is
having outpatient IV antibiotics for her kidneys.
Annie Martin is sick at home. Doug Wallace spent a
few days in the hospital last week but was able to be
here Sunday.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Pete Barber, Jean Mounce,
Steve Kelly, Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney, Adam
McCurley, Mary Jordan, James Goddard, Bill Goff,
Leroy Brown, Jadon Parish, Jerry Smith, Mitch
Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Homer
Smith, Jill Rice, Ann Letteri, Shirley Roberts, Brad
Dillard, Merlene Johnson
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy
Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona
Harris
Sr. Youth & Parents
The Sr. Youth and their
parents are invited to the
multipurpose room this
TUESDAY, FEB. 11 from
6-8 p.m. for TNT. Pizza
will be provided. Please let Alex Blackwelder or Tim
Davis know if you are coming.
Girls’ Joyful Rebellion
The girls’ Joyful
Rebellion Group
will meet this
Wednesday, Feb. 12
at 6:00 p.m. at the
building for their
monthly devotional.
Emily Rushing will be the speaker.
Monthly Ladies’
Fellowship
The monthly ladies’
fellowship will be held this
Thursday, Feb. 13 for
another lesson on “Digging
Deep” at 6:00 p.m. Please
come at 5:30 p.m. for soup
& desserts!
Jr. Bible Bowl
The Jr. Bible Bowl will be held this
Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2:00 p.m. at the
Antioch congregation. Please see Mark
Hitt if your child needs questions.
Jr. Youth & Early
Seekers’ Devo.
The Jr. Youth & Early
Seekers’ Devotional will be held
this Sunday, Feb. 16
immediately following services
in the multipurpose room.
Parents, a food list is posted on
the bulletin board across from the library.
Outreach Item for February
Toothpaste

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020 a.m.
Announcements................................Michael Wilson
Bible Reading...........................................Will Davis
Opening Prayer .......................................Jeff Mansel
Lord’s Supper
Roger Sanderson & Jonathan Nichols
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Mike Childers, Stuart Childers, Ricky Johnson
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Mark Hitt, Rommie Dilworth, Andy Baldwyn
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer......................................... Larry Long
Ushers .......................Dean Webb & Terry Kingsley
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ..................................Hugh Scribner
Closing Prayer.......................................Harold Roby
Lead Singing...............................Bobby Joe Lindley
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Prayer.................................................. Dale Dulaney
Lead Singing..................................Jonathan Nichols
Contact Jimmy Spearman (840-8957) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ....................................Perry & Linda Hand
...................................Jeff & Natalie Mansel
Prepare Lord’s Supper—February................... Wade
& Karen Bryan
Nursery (1st
worship)...Diane Dickerson/Carmen Perkins
(2nd
worship).................... Hilda Ratliff/Wanda Bishop
Pantry................................................Spaghetti sauce
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 2-5-20................................................123
Sunday 1st
Worship, 2-9-20 .................................192
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................196
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................190
Contribution (budget $7,900)........................$10,048
Mark Your Calendars!!!
Ladies’ Day – April 25th
Personal Evangelism Workshop – May 29th-30th
Vacation Bible School – June 14th-17th
Maywood Christian Camp – July 12th-18th
Outward Camp – July 31st-August 1st
Gospel Meeting – September 13th-16th
Fall Family Retreat – November 13th-14th