THE DREAD HERESY (2)

Revelation 2:4 NKJV

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

INTRODUCTION: The Lord Jesus “who walks among the seven golden candlesticks” sees all their excellent works (see Rev. 2:2–3, 6), but the value-giving quality, love, is missing. This is deadly heresy.

Revelation 2:2–3 NKJV

2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

Revelation 2:6 NKJV

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

I. Consider the church at Ephesus.

A. It was founded by Paul with remarkable success (see Acts 19:1–10).

B. We read of its great activities (see Rev. 2:2–3).

C. Paul was inspired by their “faith in the Lord Jesus and their love toward all the saints” to give thanks (Eph. 1:15–16).

D. It was a great church—full of activities. All of them were workers. It was intolerant of evil men. They were orthodox, correct in doctrines and firm defenders of the faith.

All of these things the Lord Jesus commended. But He who walks in the midst of His churches, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, detects heresy—the heresy of lovelessness. All the forms of godliness were present, but love was lacking.

II. Consider “the love which they had at the first”—or the “first love” (ASV).

A. This love is “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22).

B. It is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (see Rom. 5:5).

C. They once walked in this love (see Eph. 1:15–16).

Ephesians 1:15–16 NKJV

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

III. This love is the life-giving element in all things for the redeemed man.

A. Jesus enjoined it (see John 13:34–35).

John 13:34–35 NKJV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

B. It is the creator of obedience to the Lord.

C. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:

1. All gifts are useless without it.

2. All worthy moral qualities are in it.

3. The greatest of all gifts is love.

CONCLUSION: Pray that your love may abound like a flood (see Phil. 1:9–11).

Philippians 1:9–11 NKJV

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.