Rekindling Our First Love

The new year is a time for reflection and recalibration.

• As Christians, the key question is: How does God see us?

to answer this question we are going to be taking a look at…

The Seven Churches in Revelation

• Jesus speaks directly to seven churches.

• Each church faced unique challenges and opportunities.

• Jesus called them to refocus on Him—encouraging, correcting, and promising hope.

The church that he addresses first is the church in Ephesus,

Read Full Text

Revelation 2:1–3“1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

Break this apart

Revelation 2:1–3 “1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

Debate over what John means by angel of the church:

There’s precedence in scripture that supports the idea that it is an angel that looks out for the church.

It could mean messenger (Word means in the Greek literally means messenger)

Some believe that the messenger is actually the pastor.

This ambiguity does not change the message that Christ has for the church.

‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

Chapter 1:20 Defines 7 Starts and 7 lampstands.

Stars - Angels of the seven churches

Lampstands - Seven Churches

Putting these ideas together

John wants us to know that the words being shared are from Jesus who is over and in charge of these angels/messengers that walk amongst the churches.

Jesus is not only over the church

But he knows everything that goes on within the church.

2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.”

We see that the first thing Jesus communicates to the church in Ephesus is a praise.

Ephesus was a hard place to live

Persecution by the Romans due to refusing emperor worship.

Strong Pagan Culture - To participate in civic life often included pagan rituals.

Temple Prostitution because of the worship of Artemus

Cultural Isolation - Ephesus was full of cultural and religious pluralism which lead to Christians being isolated from the broader community.

Jesus acknowledges that Ephesus has done all the right things

Endured

Not contributed to evil

Even weeded out false teachers (your doctrine is good)

They continue to make bold stands (they continue to not grown weary.)

1. Rejoice because Jesus sees our effort

Some of us this year may have grown a lot in our faith

Some of us have made hard stands due to what we know to be biblically right

Some of us may know a lot about the bible.

We should rejoice because these things please Jesus.

Read Text

Revelation 2:4 “4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”

Jesus moves from praise to a condemnation.

Most speculate that Jesus is expressing that the the church in Ephesus has lost a love for him.

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Isn’t that an odd thought…

We can make strong Christians stands against secular culture

Know the bible really well

Point out bad doctrine in others

Even live with integrity and endurance

And still have a lack of love for Jesus.

This is disappointing and offensive to Christ

Story

Have you ever had someone you love disappoint you?

If you are a parent you get this…

A couple years ago I asked Jude to share something

He was willing to do it

But he weld up with tears as he verbally expressed I don’t want to do this.

It was the first time I saw something in his heart that hurt to look at.

I saw selfishness.

Jesus is jealous for us

Like Jude was going through the motions to do what was right.

His heart was not aligned with the good deed.

We as spiritual children can be guilty of going through the motions of our faith.

While having no affection for Christ.

Jesus doesn’t just want our obedience he wants our affection.

2. Evaluate to understand our motivation for Christian living

1. Who am I trying to please—God or others?

2. Am I motivated by love for God or personal gain?

3. Would I still do this if no one noticed or praised me?

4. Does this align with Scripture and reflect Christ’s character?

5. Am I relying on God or my own strength?

6. Does this draw me closer to God or distract me from Him?

7. Am I genuinely serving others, or am I seeking recognition?

8. Would I let this go if God asked me to?

9. Do my actions glorify God or advance my own agenda?

10. Am I at peace with my motives, or do they feel self-centered?

Read Text

Revelation 2:5 “5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.

Remember your previous passion

Repent from your lack of passion

Do the things you use to do when you were passionate.

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In counseling they will often tell a couple that missing out on passion to rekindle their passion by doing some of the things they use to do.

If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

That should be a terrifying thought for us.

Jesus is willing to get rid of this church that is supposedly doing well because they are not passionate about him.

3. Our motives for obedience determine how God uses us.

Our heart for Christ is what matters most

Jesus wants us to understand that

labor is no substitute for love.

Purity is no substitute for passion

Deeds are no substitute for devotion

Read Text

Revelation 2:6–7 “6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

This idea of conquer

is not to be understood as our effort but our trust in Jesus.

Revelation 12:11 “11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

we overcome through the blood of Jesus

Confession of Christ

Our love for Jesus is what guarantees our eternal life with him.

4. Rekindle our love for Jesus

Let’s not settle for going through the motions—Jesus wants our love, not just our actions.

Christ knows everything about us and calls us to serve Him with hearts full of passion.

This year, rekindle your love for Jesus: remember, repent, and return to what you did when your heart was on fire for Him.

Don’t serve for approval or recognition—serve for God’s glory and out of love for Him.

Let our love for Christ fuel our obedience so His light shines through us.

Let us stay faithful to Jesus, trusting His promise of eternal life with Him