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!