Your First Love

Revelation 2:1-7

Here Today - we take a revealing look at the Church of Ephesus. A church prominent in the books of Acts and in Paul’s ministry. Paul wrote them an epistle and he wrote two epistles to their Pastor Timothy. Irenaeus (130—202 A.D.), Eusebius of Caesarea (260-340 A.D.) and Jerome (347-420 A.D.) all affirm that Ephesus is where John spent his final days.

Ephesus - was a major city of some 250,000 people, which counting slaves, servants and traders during pagan celebrations to Artemis the city’s chief deity. One great landmark in Ephesus was the temple of Artemis/Diana. Four great trade roads passed through Ephesus.

We will find - in this text and this church a mirror to test our own Hearts, Motives and Works!

We will be - challenged to capture in our own walk virtues lost. Rather virtues left or neglected.

Verse 1:

The Angel of the Church - Angelos - Literally messenger. Could be literal Angels or Pastors/Church Leaders/representatives, messengers.

Either way the subject matter is pointed at the church itself.

He who holds… He who walks...

He is the Head of the Church, He holds Authority over and to command His church. Ephesians 1:22-23.

He is present, active and working in His Churches. Matt. 18:20, Col. 1:24-29, Eph. 3:17.

Verse 2:

I know thy works… Heb. 4:13, Pro. 15:3, Job 34:21-22, Ps. 33:13-15.

Labour - Toil with pain. They seem very industrious.

Patience - Patient Endurance - Cheerful (or Hopeful).

They did not tolerate evil in the church. Church purity was important to them. Eph. 5:3.

Tried/Tested - Scrutinized, Examined, Assayed = literally to test their metal, those who claimed to be Apostles yet were proved to be false.

Verse 3:

Borne patiently, endured patiently, bearing all this for Christ’s name sake.

Verse 4:

Nevertheless - But - David Guzik says, “despite all that”.

Not lost as if by accident.

Abandoned, lay aside, forsake, leave, omit, sent away, yield up. This is by neglect or purposeful omission.

What is this first love???

Love for God and Love for Others. These two are inseparable. 1 Jn. 4:20, Mk. 12:30-31.

They had cold orthodoxy and no love, no passion and quite possibly no compassion for others. Labor and patient service without Love is nothing more than strange fire unto the Lord, unauthorized and meaningless offerings to the Lord.

They were missing the Passion and Zeal they had when they first believed.

Hear Spurgeon on this verse....

Verse 5: See the steps to Restoration

Remember - the prodigal son Lk. 15:17.

Repent - Change attitude and direction, renounce the neglect of your first love.

Do the first works.

Or I will bring an end to your witness as a church. You will no longer be my church Christ says.

Unless you Repent!!!

Have you left your first Love?

Is your Relationship to Christ cold and indifferent?

Do you long for Him as you once did?

Is there passion in your serving Him?

Have you neglected your first devotions, prayers, fellowships and singing, witness and worship?

Repent Today!!

Repent, Now, Do Not Delay!!!

Come Back to your First Love!!!