First Love: JESUS

Revelation 2:1–7 NKJV

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “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; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

Jesus Commends their Character

I know your works. (doing good things)

I know your labor. (diligent efforts)

I know your patience. (steadfast endurance)

I know that you cannot bear those who are evil. (righteous zeal)

I know you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars. (doctrinal purity)

Jesus Commends their Commitment

You have persevered.

You have remained faithful in the hard times.

You have patience.

You have waited in faith for God to answer and bring you through.

You have labored for My name’s sake.

You have worked hard to exalt the name of Christ.

You have not become weary.

You have not allowed the load of ministry to slow you down.

Jesus Brings a Charge

You left your first love!

Revelation 2:4 NKJV

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

Has something or someone else replaced our first love for Jesus?

Jesus Commands them to Change

REMEMBER from where you have fallen

Your first love for Jesus

REPENT of loving other things

Loving the gift more than the Giver.

Devotion to ministry more than devotion to Jesus.

RETURN and do the first works

They did the right things with the wrong motive.

Without the motivation of love for Jesus, nothing else really matters.

Response to the Word