LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE Revelation 2:1-7. Introduction Revelation chapters 2 & 3 – Jesus addresses...
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Transcript of LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE Revelation 2:1-7. Introduction Revelation chapters 2 & 3 – Jesus addresses...
LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVERevelation 2:1-7
Introduction• Revelation chapters 2 & 3 – Jesus
addresses each of the 7 churches• « To the angel of the church »
– Could be messenger, preacher– Could be a heavenly angel– Hear what the Spirit says – vs.7
The Ephesian Church• Beginning – Acts 18:18 – 19:7• Elders met Paul – Acts 20:17-32• Paul wrote them a letter
– Urged them to be rooted and grounded in love (3:17)
– Speak the truth in love (4:15)– Walk in love (5:1)
What was wrong?• Letter begins with high praise
– Work, labor, patience• HOWEVER : • They left their first love• Used for sermons on attendance,
faithfulness, etc.
What was wrong?• Just a few years earlier
– Paul was there – 55-58– Timothy was there – 60-63– Now : (early date) 66 OR (late
date) 95 – major departure in 3 up to 30 years
What was wrong?• Galatians 1:6 – So soon removed• Every congregation is one
generation (20-25 years) away from apostasy
First Love, First Works• First love is not :
– Puppy love– First crush– First real genuine love
First Love, First Works• First love & first works are
connected– They left their first love– They should repent and do the
first works
What are the 1st Works?• Hear the gospel• Believe the message• Repent of our sinful ways• Confess our faith in Jesus• Baptized for forgiveness of sins
What are the 1st Works?• They kept -
– Works, labor, patience• They left -
– Hearing– Believing– Repenting
Do you remember?• When you first became a Christian• Full of excitement, zeal,desire• Is the “honeymoon” over?• Where is the blessedness I knew
When I first met the Lord?• Where is that soul-refreshing view
of Jesus and His Word? - William Cowper
Love vs. Hatred• Return to first love• Hate the deeds of the NicolatiansRevelation 2:14-15 14 But I have a few things
against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Love vs. Hatred• We must do more than disagree
with a false teaching – moral or doctrinal
• We must “abhor that which is evil” (Romans 12:9)
When are we not a church• When is a Church of Christ no
longer a church of Christ?• We must be a light – lampstand –
candle stick – to the world• Shine the glorious gospel – 2
Corinthians 4:4
When are we not a church• When the light fails to shine – the
lampstand is removed• When a light bulb burns out – we
throw it away• Christ is coming – QUICKLY
– We think – end of time– Punishment can come NOW!