First Clement — “The Ancient Voices of the Church”
Scripture:
Hebrews 12:2 — “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Ancient Text: First Clement (AD 95):
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus Christ.”
A Letter from the Earliest Church
Church, today we listen to First Clement, written around AD 95 — likely the earliest Christian writing outside the New Testament. It comes from Clement of Rome, a pastor who knew the apostles personally and shepherded the church only a generation after Paul and Peter.
Clement wrote to the church in Corinth, a church struggling with:
- division
- pride
- conflict
- disorder
- spiritual fatigue
His message was simple, pastoral, and powerful:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 12 says the same: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.”
Clement teaches us that unity is found not in winning arguments, but in looking to Christ.
I. Clement Shows Us That Division Comes from Losing Sight of Christ
Clement begins by addressing the root of division.
He wrote:
“Jealousy and strife have risen among you.”
He believed division comes from:
- pride
- self‑importance
- comparison
- ambition
- forgetting Christ
He taught that when believers take their eyes off Jesus, they begin to look at themselves — and conflict follows.
Hebrews 12 says to fix our eyes on Jesus. Clement says division fades when Christ becomes our focus.
The church today needs this reminder: Unity is not achieved by force — it is restored by focus.
II. Clement Shows Us That Christ Is Our Example of Humility
Clement lifts our eyes to Christ’s humility.
He wrote:
“Christ came in humility, not in pride.”
He believed Christ’s humility is:
- voluntary
- sacrificial
- gentle
- patient
- powerful
He taught that Christ did not demand honor — He embraced service.
Hebrews 12 says Christ endured the cross. Clement says Christ’s humility is the pattern for Christian unity.
The church today needs this truth: Humility is not weakness — it is Christlikeness.
III. Clement Shows Us That God Honors the Humble
Clement reminds the church that God sees and rewards humility.
He wrote:
“The humble person is blessed by God.”
He believed humility leads to:
- peace
- unity
- blessing
- spiritual strength
- divine favor
He taught that humility is not losing — it is gaining Christ.
Hebrews 12 says Christ is exalted at the right hand of God. Clement says God lifts up the humble.
The church today needs this reminder: Humility is the path to God’s blessing.
IV. Clement Shows Us That Scripture Calls Us to Unity
Clement quotes Scripture extensively — more than any other early Christian writer.
He wrote:
“The Scriptures teach us to live in harmony.”
He believed unity is:
- commanded by God
- rooted in Scripture
- empowered by Christ
- sustained by love
- essential to witness
He taught that unity is not optional — it is obedience.
Hebrews 12 says we run the race together. Clement says unity is the fruit of fixing our eyes on Jesus.
The church today needs this truth: Unity is not a preference — it is a calling.
V. Clement Shows Us That Christ Is the Center of the Church
Clement ends with a powerful Christ‑centered appeal.
He wrote:
“Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ.”
He believed Christ is:
- our peace
- our unity
- our example
- our Savior
- our center
He taught that the church is healthy when Christ is central.
Hebrews 12 says Christ is the author and perfecter of our faith. Clement says Christ is the anchor of our unity.
The church today needs this reminder: The church is united when Christ is central.
Conclusion: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
Clement calls us to a simple, powerful truth:
Division fades when Christ is our focus. Humility grows when Christ is our example. Unity strengthens when Christ is our center. Peace comes when Christ is our vision.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let us walk in humility. Let us live in unity. Let us follow Christ together — today, tomorrow and forevermore.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, our center and our peace, fix our eyes upon You. Heal division, cultivate humility, and unite us in Your love. Make us a people who follow Your example — today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
