Revelation 2:1-7

In the next couple of weeks Ginnie and I will be celebrating 10 years of marriage. I truly do believe God has blessed me twice in this life. Once when He called me to salvation and the other is when Ginnie fell in love with me.

However, over the course of the 10 years their have been times where we got caught up in the task of life. We got caught up in the day to day affairs that have come our way and I hate to say their have been times we have forgotten about whey we where doing all of this in the first place. We have forgotten our love for each other and that is why we sacrifice, that is why we do what we do for each other.

This also happens in the church as we will see in and the church of Ephesus.

A couple years ago Pandora was a popular gift for ladies. My wife wanted one and I bought one for her. Over the years I have added new beads to the bracelet. I didn’t just want to get one that was already put together. I wanted to give her beads that had meaning.

I have given her music beads, I have given her beads to remind her of our children. I have given her beads of letters of her name. But the most speacial bead I have given to her is the Red Hot Love bead or buring hot love bead. I wanted to always look at that bead and know that my love for her was hot and burning.

Today, we are going to be reminded that God wants our church to have a Red Hot burning love for Him.

Let’s discover today how to rekindle our first Love. a.Take your Bibles and turn to

Revelation 2:1 ESV

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.

Ephesus was a well know city.

1.Ephesus was a well know city. a.The Commentary The hand book to Revelation describes Ephesus this way: It was the most important city in the Roman province in Asia; it was a busy seaport, had a thriving commerce, and was the center of the cult of the goddess Artemis (see , ), and the goddess Diana, the temple of Diana was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, As the book of Acts shows, it soon became a very important center of Christian activity, and at the time of the writing of this letter, it may have been the most important Christian church in the Roman empire. 2.The letter is addressed to the angel of the church of Ephesus: a.In this context angel more than likely refers to a person who represents the church. Thus translators may render the angel of the church as “the representative of the church …,” or even “messenger of the church.” b.The heading was addressed to the pastor of the church of EphesusBut this was not just another letter. 1.This letter was penned by the hand of John the Revelator and these are the words of Jesus Christ. c.We know these are the words of Jesus Christ because in verse 2 it says

It had a busy seaport

thriving commerce

It was the center of worship of the goddess of Artemis and Diana.

In their was a revolt lead by the the golds smith because of Paul preaching the gospel.

God moved through Paul’s ministry in Ephesus with the gospel going to all of Asia as he preached in the halls of Tyrannus

The church was strong in Ephesus at this time and things at first look seemed to be going well.

This letter is addressed to the angel of the church of Ephesus.

This means it is addressed to the representative of the church.

The overseeer

The messenger of the church.

This letter is addressed to the pastor or lead elder of the church of Ephesus

As a pastor I get letters or messages all the time.

From time to to I get messages from vistors who have enjoyed our service.

I get messages weekly from church members over a varitey of subject matter.

I some time get messages from other pastors

But this letter to the pastor of the church of Ephesus didn’t come from any of those mentioned.

This letter comes from the one who holds the seven stars in this right hand. This letter comes from the one who walks among the seven lampstands.

This letter that is addressed to the pastor lead elder is from Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the one who holds the seven stars in his hands. Showing that He is to be in control of the church and its leadership.

What a sweet picture of comfort to know the church is in Jesus Hands.

Jesus is the the one who walks among the seven lampstand.

Which shows us that Jesus is not looking at our church from a far. Jesus was among the church of Ephesus and He is among us.

I am reminded of the the song. He is here. Hallelujah, He is here amen, He is here you can touch him. You will never be the same.

Jesus cares and loves his church. We know this not only because he holds us in his hands, and because he is here among us. We know this because Christ shed his blood for his bride the church on the cross.

So here is the lead elder/pastor of the church of Ephesus and he receives this book called Revelation that was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and he comes to a letter addressed to him from Jesus.

“`The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand

So here is the pastor of the church of Ephesus and he receives this book called Revelation that was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and he comes to a letter addressed to him from Jesus.

Jesus cares and loves his church. We know this not only because he holds us in his hands, and because he is here among us. We know this because Christ shed his blood for his bride the church on the cross.

Revelation 2:2–3 ESV

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.

Jesus is the one who holds the messengers of the church in his hands.Showing that He is in control of the church and its leadership

ii.Could you imagine being the pastor of the Chruch of Ephesus and recieving the book of Revelation and in it you have a letter personally addressed to you from Jesus Christ. 2.The letter directed to the Church of Ephesus does not just apply to them. a.It also was meant to be a letter that applies to all churches throughout time 3. The letter that John penned is also a letter for us at Tar Heel Baptist Church. 4. Let’s look at the letter John penned.

It also says and who walks among the seven lampstands

Jesus starts the letter to the pastor and says I know your works.

1.We know that Jesus Christ is the one that walks among the Lambstands a. Jesus Christ is not far off looking in on his churches.But Jesus was among the seven churches he addressed and he is here today ii.Could you imagine being the pastor of the Chruch of Ephesus and recieving the book of Revelation and in it you have a letter personally addressed to you from Jesus Christ. 2.The letter directed to the Church of Ephesus does not just apply to them. a.It also was meant to be a letter that applies to all churches throughout time 3. The letter that John penned is also a letter for us at Tar Heel Baptist Church. 4. Let’s look at the letter John penned.

The church of Ephesus was not a lazy church. They where hard working.

Jesus says I know your toil

They weren’t a social club that only met once or twice a week.

They where a missional agency. Remember this church was responsible or carrying the gospel to much of Asia.

They didn’t have the concept that Church is a building you attend. If you remember in they met in a school house.

They viewed the church as a living organism that was made up for the purpose of carrying out the mission of God.

Their mission was the great commission.

Jesus tells the pastor I know your toil and patience endurance.

They understood what it was like to suffer for the gospel. They where not liked in Ephesus as their was a riot in the city because one of the main attractions to the city was the worship of false gods.

Because these Christians would now bow down to Diana, they where abused, beaten, social outcast.

They had not grown weary. They had not become faint in their work of spreading the gospel.

This church understood what it was like to pick up your cross and follow Jesus.

Jesus tells the pastor I know that you can’t bear anyone evil.

The Church of Ephesus didn’t put up with Christ followers living in a sinful lifestyle.

We see this in very few churches today.

Many churches today feel their church members or Christ followers can live how they so chose and they have no right to speak truth into that persons life.

This was not the church of Ephesus philosophy.

The church of Ephesus practiced church discipline.

If one of their members where living in a way that would take away from the gospel or was sinful they would follow the Biblical way of dealing with it as outlined in

Jesus tells the pastor that the church knows how to determine if someone is a false apostle.

They believed in the gospel and they took Jesus and his word seriously.

They where serious students of the word and knew the word.

I am sure they tested everything a teacher said against the word of God and the apostle teachings.

They didn’t want a man of God to tickle their hears. They wanted a man of God to preach to them unapologetic.

Verse 6: is a great example of this.

Revelation 2:6 ESV

6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

We see not only did the church of Ephesus hate the Nicolaitans but so did Jesus.

2. The Church of Ephesus was capable of pointing out a false teacher a.Verse 6 gives an example of this b. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.John MacArthur says: This heresy was similar to the teaching of Balaam. Nicolas means “ one who conquers the people” Irenaeus writes that Nicolas, who was made a deacon in , was a false believer who later became apostate; but because of his credentials, he was able to lead the church astray. The Nicolations, followers of Nicolas, were involved in immorality and assaulted the church with sensual temptations. Alexander wrote, “ They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license. ii.Part of the reason today people will entertain such teaching is because we don’t know the word of God. iii.Our Bibles collect dust each week until it is time to return to church the next Sunday b.You would not have found The Church at Ephesus reading books about a conversation taking place in a shack, nor would you found them reading books that pushes universalism that in the end love wins or books about a little boy who had a vision and comes back a lies about being in Heaven. c.You would not have found them listening to preachers that claim you can have your best life now, teachers that push a prosperity Gospel, or teachers that believe everyone in the end will go to Heaven 5.Warren Wiersbe says: It is not “what” we do for Christ, but the motive behind it, the incentive, that counts. Ephesus had a busy church with high spiritual standards. They could not bear “worthless [evil] people” and would not listen to false teachers. The work had been difficult, but they had not fainted. In every way, it was a successful church from the human point of view. Some of today’s busy churches with their full calendars and weary workers would fit the description. 6.But Jesus continues in verse 4 to say this

Alexander wrote, “ They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license.

1.The Church at Ephesus was not some dead church. a.They were a hard working ChurchJesus says I know your works in verse 2. 1.The Church of Ephesus was more than a Social Club people attend once a week. 2.This Church was a missional agency. 3.There main purpose was reaching Ephesus. a.They were effective in there work. 4.But not only did they reach Ephesus most scholars gives this church credit for spreading the Good news of Jesus Christ to most of Asia Minor ii.They did not have the concept that Church is a building you attend or a service you go too. 1.They were of the opinion that Church was a living organism that was made up of the people that has a mission. a.The mission is the great commission iii.They were a church that did not live behind four walls and hold secret meetings of rituals . 1.Instead they were very vibrant in there community and vibrant in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ 2.They were a Church that God knew because of there works 2.They were also a church that had endurance. a.The church of Ephesus knew what it meant to suffer for the Gospel and persevere b.They had not grown weary. c.They had not become faint in there work of spreading the good news. 1.This Church understood persecution 2.This Church understood what it was like to have a door slammed in there face. 3.The Church of Ephesus understood to follow Christ was to pick up your cross. a.To pick up your instrument of torture and follow him. 4.The Church of Ephesus understood what it meant to endure 3.They were also a church that could not bear with those who are evil. a.The church of Ephesus did not put up with member’s of the church living in open sin.We have the idea in the universal church that a person who calls themselves a Christian can live in open sin and we don’t have a right to confront them because that is judging them. ii.That was not the attitude in the church of Ephesus iii.This was a church that would not look upon those who practiced evil iv.This was a church that practiced church discipline. 1.They did not let people slip through the cracks when they lived openly in sin. a.If a person was living in sinSuch as adultery, fornication, gossip, or anything that may hinder the testamony of the gospel. The church of Ephesus would practice church discipline 2.The Church of Ephesus practiced in hopes of reconciling the person back to the church and God. a.The purpose of Church Disipline is never to pronouce someone is evil or even a sinner. b.the purpose of Church Disicipline is to reconcil the sinner back to God and his church 4.They were a church that knew how to recoginze a false apostle a.The church at Ephesus believed in Jesus and his teachings But not only did they believe in them they knew them as well. 1.Before you can point out a false teacher you must know what the word of God says. a.This was not a church that called teachers false because there teaching did not tickle the ear. b.This was a church that stood firm on the teaching of the early apostles and the teaching of Jesus Christ 2. The Church of Ephesus was capable of pointing out a false teacher a.Verse 6 gives an example of this b. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.John MacArthur says: This heresy was similar to the teaching of Balaam. Nicolas means “ one who conquers the people” Irenaeus writes that Nicolas, who was made a deacon in , was a false believer who later became apostate; but because of his credentials, he was able to lead the church astray. The Nicolations, followers of Nicolas, were involved in immorality and assaulted the church with sensual temptations. Alexander wrote, “ They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license. ii.Part of the reason today people will entertain such teaching is because we don’t know the word of God. iii.Our Bibles collect dust each week until it is time to return to church the next Sunday b.You would not have found The Church at Ephesus reading books about a conversation taking place in a shack, nor would you found them reading books that pushes universalism that in the end love wins or books about a little boy who had a vision and comes back a lies about being in Heaven. c.You would not have found them listening to preachers that claim you can have your best life now, teachers that push a prosperity Gospel, or teachers that believe everyone in the end will go to Heaven 5.Warren Wiersbe says: It is not “what” we do for Christ, but the motive behind it, the incentive, that counts. Ephesus had a busy church with high spiritual standards. They could not bear “worthless [evil] people” and would not listen to false teachers. The work had been difficult, but they had not fainted. In every way, it was a successful church from the human point of view. Some of today’s busy churches with their full calendars and weary workers would fit the description. 6.But Jesus continues in verse 4 to say this

If I am the pastor of the Church of Ephesus I would have read this and been like wow Jesus thanks for the words of encouragement.

As Jesus started this letter he has said I know you guys are hard workers, I know you have had endurance through some hard times, I know that you can’t bear evil and have practiced church discipline, I even know that you won’t listen to false teachers.

1.The Church at Ephesus was not some dead church. a.They were a hard working ChurchJesus says I know your works in verse 2. 1.The Church of Ephesus was more than a Social Club people attend once a week. 2.This Church was a missional agency. 3.There main purpose was reaching Ephesus. a.They were effective in there work. 4.But not only did they reach Ephesus most scholars gives this church credit for spreading the Good news of Jesus Christ to most of Asia Minor ii.They did not have the concept that Church is a building you attend or a service you go too. 1.They were of the opinion that Church was a living organism that was made up of the people that has a mission. a.The mission is the great commission iii.They were a church that did not live behind four walls and hold secret meetings of rituals . 1.Instead they were very vibrant in there community and vibrant in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ 2.They were a Church that God knew because of there works 2.They were also a church that had endurance. a.The church of Ephesus knew what it meant to suffer for the Gospel and persevere b.They had not grown weary. c.They had not become faint in there work of spreading the good news. 1.This Church understood persecution 2.This Church understood what it was like to have a door slammed in there face. 3.The Church of Ephesus understood to follow Christ was to pick up your cross. a.To pick up your instrument of torture and follow him. 4.The Church of Ephesus understood what it meant to endure 3.They were also a church that could not bear with those who are evil. a.The church of Ephesus did not put up with member’s of the church living in open sin.We have the idea in the universal church that a person who calls themselves a Christian can live in open sin and we don’t have a right to confront them because that is judging them. ii.That was not the attitude in the church of Ephesus iii.This was a church that would not look upon those who practiced evil iv.This was a church that practiced church discipline. 1.They did not let people slip through the cracks when they lived openly in sin. a.If a person was living in sinSuch as adultery, fornication, gossip, or anything that may hinder the testamony of the gospel. The church of Ephesus would practice church discipline 2.The Church of Ephesus practiced in hopes of reconciling the person back to the church and God. a.The purpose of Church Disipline is never to pronouce someone is evil or even a sinner. b.the purpose of Church Disicipline is to reconcil the sinner back to God and his church 4.They were a church that knew how to recoginze a false apostle a.The church at Ephesus believed in Jesus and his teachings But not only did they believe in them they knew them as well. 1.Before you can point out a false teacher you must know what the word of God says. a.This was not a church that called teachers false because there teaching did not tickle the ear. b.This was a church that stood firm on the teaching of the early apostles and the teaching of Jesus Christ 2. The Church of Ephesus was capable of pointing out a false teacher a.Verse 6 gives an example of this b. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.John MacArthur says: This heresy was similar to the teaching of Balaam. Nicolas means “ one who conquers the people” Irenaeus writes that Nicolas, who was made a deacon in , was a false believer who later became apostate; but because of his credentials, he was able to lead the church astray. The Nicolations, followers of Nicolas, were involved in immorality and assaulted the church with sensual temptations. Alexander wrote, “ They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license. ii.Part of the reason today people will entertain such teaching is because we don’t know the word of God. iii.Our Bibles collect dust each week until it is time to return to church the next Sunday b.You would not have found The Church at Ephesus reading books about a conversation taking place in a shack, nor would you found them reading books that pushes universalism that in the end love wins or books about a little boy who had a vision and comes back a lies about being in Heaven. c.You would not have found them listening to preachers that claim you can have your best life now, teachers that push a prosperity Gospel, or teachers that believe everyone in the end will go to Heaven 5.Warren Wiersbe says: It is not “what” we do for Christ, but the motive behind it, the incentive, that counts. Ephesus had a busy church with high spiritual standards. They could not bear “worthless [evil] people” and would not listen to false teachers. The work had been difficult, but they had not fainted. In every way, it was a successful church from the human point of view. Some of today’s busy churches with their full calendars and weary workers would fit the description. 6.But Jesus continues in verse 4 to say this

As I read the first part of this letter. This church sounds like a healthy church.

Some of today’s busy churches with their full calendars and weary workers would fit the description. 6.But Jesus continues in verse 4 to say this

Revelation 2:4 ESV

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Revelation 2:4 ESV

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Revelation 2:4 ESV

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Jesus writes I know your works, I know your endurance, I know you can’t stand evil, I Know you don’t put up with false apostles or teachers. BUT, I have this against you.

(ESV)

Jesus says you have forgotten something.

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Jesus says you have forgotten something.

I have something against you.

You have abandoned the love you had at first.

Danny Akin says:

a.You have forgotten the greatest Commandment and the second like it b.You have forgotten -40Matthew 22:36–40 (ESV)

They didn’t have a head problem but a heart problem.

Jesus was writing to the pastor of the church of Ephesus and saying to the church. I want your heart. I want your love.

Jesus was writing and saying serving me is great, but I care more about you loving me.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:4

How the church today needs to heed this same warning, that orthodoxy and service are not enough. Christ wants believers’ hearts as well as their hands and heads.

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

What Jesus is saying here is: You can come to church every time the doors are open. You can teach a Sunday School class, Be in the choir You can serve on committees in the church You can be a deacon You can even work hard in the church.

a.What Jesus is saying here is: You can come to church every time the doors are open ii.You can teach a Sunday School class, iii.Be in the choir iv.You can serve on committees in the church v.You can be a deacon vi.You can even work hard in the church. vii.But that is not enough, You must love me. 1. (ESV)

You can practice church disipline and even know the word and can point out false teachers. But that is not enough, You must love me.

What Jesus wants most from us is our love He wants you to love him more than anything else.

Matthew 10:37 ESV

37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

This past week God reminded me of this. He reminded me that what he wants most from Devon is for me to love him.

Jesus demands our love if we call ourselves Christians ix.Jesus is saying x.When you do work in the church, 1.When you endure for his name sake, xi.When you practice Church Disipline xii.When you call out false teachers. 1.Do it because you first love me. b.Remember the story of Martha (ESV)

37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

When you endure for his name sake, and people are hard on you.

When you practice Church Discipline

viii.Jesus demands our love if we call ourselves Christians ix.Jesus is saying x.When you do work in the church, 1.When you endure for his name sake, xi.When you practice Church Disipline xii.When you call out false teachers. 1.Do it because you first love me. b.Remember the story of Martha (ESV)

When you call out false teachers.

Don’t do it because it is tradition or because you have always held that position in the church.

Do these things because you first love me.

They why of what you do is more important to Jesus then us actually doing it.

1.Do it because you first love me. b.Remember the story of Martha (ESV)

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

This past week God reminded me of this. He reminded me why I do what I do.

This past week God reminded me of this. He reminded me why I do what I do. He reminded me why I went in the ministry in the first place. 1.It was not to collect a pay check 2.It was not so I could get to a big church 3.It was not even because it had become tradition for me 4.I started because I loved him d.God is saying to you today remember why you first started serving me.Remember when it was not about an agenda ii.Remember when it was not about being popular iii.Remember the reason you first started serving me was because you loved me. 5.John MacArthur says: Oh, they were doing what they always did, because that’s what you do. That’s what’s expected. That’s what’s planned. That’s the way the program’s laid out. That’s the way people are gonna evaluate you and respect you and honor you, and they did it, and the theology was in place. But the honeymoon was over. It was like a marriage can be. Everything was there. Faithfulness was there, and duty was there, and responsibility was there. But the passion was gone. No great scandal. No great organization blunder. No loss of resources financial or human. But the heart was cold. The thrill was gone. The enthusiasm was drying out. 6.Is this you. Do you find yourself this morning where I found myself this past week. a.I serve God each week. I give all I have. b.I am faithful to God, I give him time each day with a quiet time c.I perform my duties each week like I am suppose to,But somewhere along the way I have lost my passion for GodThere is no scandal in my life, There is no secret sin ii.There are no major blunders in my ministry d.But my heart has grown cold to God e.The thrill of my relationship with God is not like it is new The thrill of my relationship with God is not like a honeymoon. 1.Adreian Rodgers: “If there was ever a time you loved Jesus more than you do at this moment, you’re backslidden 2.Are you there with me this morning. a. You are serving God with everything but the fire you once had is gone.You come to worship ii.You teach your Sunday school lesson iii.You show up to your committee meetings iv.You show up at the practices to lead worship 1.But the fire you once had is gone 2.You have lost sight of your first love. v.What about us as a church. Is the fire gone. vi.Do we go through our routine as a church. 1.We have our services, We have our meetings. We run our programs. Everything seems to be running smooth. 2.But yet something as of late seems to be missing a.We have had no major scandal. b.We have had no major blunders as an organization c.We have had no major loss of resources financial or human 3.Why does it seem we have lost our excitment, 4.Why does it seem we have lost our fire? a.Have we lost sight of our first Love. 5.Are we complacent. Have we grown cold in our relationship with God 3.Verse 5 God gives The church at Ephesus the answer of how to solve this problem. a.The great news this morning is if you find yourself cold and complacent, You can rekindle that first love agin.

He reminded me why I went in the ministry in the first place.

It was not to collect a pay check

It was not so I could get to a big church

It was not even because it had become tradition for me

I started because I loved him.

Think back to when you started serving in the church.

You didn’t do it because someone else would not step up.

You didn’t do it because you had always done it and you felt like you had to.

Think back to having to approach people you loved because of sin, or having to call out someone for false teaching.

If like me you feel in love with Jesus and wanted to serve him.

d.God is saying to you today remember why you first started serving me.Remember when it was not about an agenda ii.Remember when it was not about being popular iii.Remember the reason you first started serving me was because you loved me. 5.John MacArthur says: Oh, they were doing what they always did, because that’s what you do. That’s what’s expected. That’s what’s planned. That’s the way the program’s laid out. That’s the way people are gonna evaluate you and respect you and honor you, and they did it, and the theology was in place. But the honeymoon was over. It was like a marriage can be. Everything was there. Faithfulness was there, and duty was there, and responsibility was there. But the passion was gone. No great scandal. No great organization blunder. No loss of resources financial or human. But the heart was cold. The thrill was gone. The enthusiasm was drying out. 6.Is this you. Do you find yourself this morning where I found myself this past week. a.I serve God each week. I give all I have. b.I am faithful to God, I give him time each day with a quiet time c.I perform my duties each week like I am suppose to,But somewhere along the way I have lost my passion for GodThere is no scandal in my life, There is no secret sin ii.There are no major blunders in my ministry d.But my heart has grown cold to God e.The thrill of my relationship with God is not like it is new The thrill of my relationship with God is not like a honeymoon. 1.Adreian Rodgers: “If there was ever a time you loved Jesus more than you do at this moment, you’re backslidden 2.Are you there with me this morning. a. You are serving God with everything but the fire you once had is gone.You come to worship ii.You teach your Sunday school lesson iii.You show up to your committee meetings iv.You show up at the practices to lead worship 1.But the fire you once had is gone 2.You have lost sight of your first love. v.What about us as a church. Is the fire gone. vi.Do we go through our routine as a church. 1.We have our services, We have our meetings. We run our programs. Everything seems to be running smooth. 2.But yet something as of late seems to be missing a.We have had no major scandal. b.We have had no major blunders as an organization c.We have had no major loss of resources financial or human 3.Why does it seem we have lost our excitment, 4.Why does it seem we have lost our fire? a.Have we lost sight of our first Love. 5.Are we complacent. Have we grown cold in our relationship with God 3.Verse 5 God gives The church at Ephesus the answer of how to solve this problem. a.The great news this morning is if you find yourself cold and complacent, You can rekindle that first love agin.

John MacArthur says: Oh, they were doing what they always did, because that’s what you do. That’s what’s expected. That’s what’s planned. That’s the way the program’s laid out. That’s the way people are gonna evaluate you and respect you and honor you, and they did it, and the theology was in place. But the honeymoon was over. It was like a marriage can be. Everything was there. Faithfulness was there, and duty was there, and responsibility was there. But the passion was gone. No great scandal. No great organization blunder. No loss of resources financial or human. But the heart was cold. The thrill was gone. The enthusiasm was drying out.

God is saying to us THBC remember why you first started serving me.

Remember when it was not about an agenda

Remember when it was not about being popular

Remember the reason you first started serving me was because you loved me.

John MacArthur says: Oh, they were doing what they always did, because that’s what you do. That’s what’s expected. That’s what’s planned. That’s the way the program’s laid out. That’s the way people are gonna evaluate you and respect you and honor you, and they did it, and the theology was in place. But the honeymoon was over. It was like a marriage can be. Everything was there. Faithfulness was there, and duty was there, and responsibility was there. But the passion was gone. No great scandal. No great organization blunder. No loss of resources financial or human. But the heart was cold. The thrill was gone. The enthusiasm was drying out.

Is this us? Do we find ourselves this morning where the church of Ephesus was.

Giving our all, Being faithful to God, doing our quiet time each day. performing our duties each week, but somewhere along the way maybe we have lost our passion for God. Our hearts of grown cold toward God.

Adreian Rodgers:

“If there was ever a time you loved Jesus more than you do at this moment, you’re backslidden

Could you or I be backslidden?

I don’t know about you but something seems to be missing as of late.

If this is you today. You have hope.

We have had no major scandal.

Revelation 2:5 ESV

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

We have had no major blunders as an organization

Revelation 2:5 ESV

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

We have had no major loss of resources financial or human

Why does it seem we have lost our excitment,

Why does it seem we have lost our fire?

Have we lost sight of our first Love?

Revelation 2:5 ESV

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

3.Verse 5 God gives The church at Ephesus the answer of how to solve this problem. a.The great news this morning is if you find yourself cold and complacent, You can rekindle that first love agin.

Jesus gives three keys to the church of Ephesus of how to remember their first love.

(ESV)

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

First we are to remember where we have fallen.

4.Jesus gives three keys to the church of Ephesus to rekindle that first love. 5.Jesus gives us 3 keys to rekindle our first love a.First we are to remember where we have fallenJesus tells the church at Ephesus to remember what it was like at first. ii.Remember the days when all you had was Jesus and that was enough. iii.Remember this morning. 1.Remember when you first ask Christ into your heart 2.Remember the joy you had 3.Remember how you would tell everyone about your relationship with Christ 4.Remember how you could not wait for the church doors to open so you could come in and worship with other belivers. iv. Remember this morning what it was like to be on your honeymoon period with God. v.Tar Heel Baptist first we need to remember, 1.We need to remember the times when we have seen revival move in this church. 2.We need to remember when the altar was filled and people where repenting of sin 3.We need to remember how God blessed us through the years. b.Second we are to repentWe need to repent of our sin 1.We need to repent of our sin of just going thru the motions 2.We need to repent of our sin of being more concerned with the task than love for God 3.We need to repent of being more consumed with our work at the the church than loving God with everything. 4.We need to repent of being more concerened with a personal agenda or perfernce than loving God ii.We must come to the altar humbly and repent of our sin 1.We must come to the altar and verbally confess our sin 2.2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

Jesus tells the church at Ephesus to remember what it was like at first.

Remember the days when all you had was Jesus and that was enough.

Remember when you first ask Christ into your heart

Remember the joy you had

Remember how you would tell everyone about your relationship with Christ

Remember how you could not wait for the church doors to open so you could come in and worship with other belivers.

As we sang this morning. We will remember.

Tar Heel Baptist first we need to remember,

Remember this morning what it was like to be on your honeymoon period with God. v.Tar Heel Baptist first we need to remember, 1.We need to remember the times when we have seen revival move in this church. 2.We need to remember when the altar was filled and people where repenting of sin 3.We need to remember how God blessed us through the years. b.Second we are to repentWe need to repent of our sin 1.We need to repent of our sin of just going thru the motions 2.We need to repent of our sin of being more concerned with the task than love for God 3.We need to repent of being more consumed with our work at the the church than loving God with everything. 4.We need to repent of being more concerened with a personal agenda or perfernce than loving God ii.We must come to the altar humbly and repent of our sin 1.We must come to the altar and verbally confess our sin 2.2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

We need to remember the times when we have seen revival move in this church.

We need to remember when the altar was filled and people where repenting of sin

We need to remember how God blessed us through the years.

Second, we are to repent

We need to repent of our sin

We need to repent of our sin of just going thru the motions

We need to repent of our sin of being more concerned with the task than love for God

We need to repent of being more consumed with our work at the the church than loving God with everything.

We must come to the altar humbly and repent of our sin

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

We must come to the altar humbly and repent of our sin

We must come to the altar and verbally confess our sin

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2.2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

We must confess our sin and rely on God to deliver us from it

3.We must confess our sin and rely on God to deliver us from it iii.You may be asking do I have to tell God my sin. 1.Yes, this is what it means to repent, confess your sin and rely on God to clean you of them. c.Third we are to return to the works we did at first.This does not mean returning back to the way the church was run in the 1950‘s. 1.What Jesus is saying here is return to work with the joy you once had. 2.Return back to work with the motives you first had 3.Return back to when the membership in the church was more than having your name on a list. 4.Return back to when you enjoyed fellowship with other Christians and fellowship with God 5.Return back to your life being consumed by God and his wants and desires for you life 6.Return back to your first love. a.Quite being the wife that is doing her duties out of obligations and return to being the wife who does her duties out of love b.Return back this morning adults c.Return back this morning youth d.Return back this morning church to our first love d.God tells us that if we don’t repent the out come is not good.Jesus says If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ii.What Jesus is saying here is that if we don’t repent and turn back to our first love then God will shut the doors to this church. 1.Many of us when we think of God we think of a God that is love a.This is trueBut God is also holy and just ii.God is also Jealous for his people iii.If we are not a church that loves God with all our heart, soul, and mind God will shut our doors at Tar Heel Baptist Church . 1.This church that has stood for many years. 2.This church has been a light in this community and dark world. 3.Some of you are saying. God would never shut our doors. This is his church. I don’t really have to repent this morning. Everything will be ok. 4.Everything will work out in the end 5.God would never do such a thing. 1. the church of Ephesus continued and was later the scene of a major church council, but after the 5th century both the church and the city declined. I wish I could tell you this morning that the Church of Ephesus is going strong today. But I can’t. The immediate area has been uninhabited since the 14th century. The Church of Ephesus is dead. a.I can’t help but wonder if the reason so many churches are dying today b.The reason so many church are closing there doors is because they have lost sight of there first love. 2.In closing check out this short video about your first Love.

Third we are to return to the works we did at first.

3.We must confess our sin and rely on God to deliver us from it iii.You may be asking do I have to tell God my sin. 1.Yes, this is what it means to repent, confess your sin and rely on God to clean you of them. c.Third we are to return to the works we did at first.This does not mean returning back to the way the church was run in the 1950‘s. 1.What Jesus is saying here is return to work with the joy you once had. 2.Return back to work with the motives you first had 3.Return back to when the membership in the church was more than having your name on a list. 4.Return back to when you enjoyed fellowship with other Christians and fellowship with God 5.Return back to your life being consumed by God and his wants and desires for you life 6.Return back to your first love. a.Quite being the wife that is doing her duties out of obligations and return to being the wife who does her duties out of love b.Return back this morning adults c.Return back this morning youth d.Return back this morning church to our first love d.God tells us that if we don’t repent the out come is not good.Jesus says If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ii.What Jesus is saying here is that if we don’t repent and turn back to our first love then God will shut the doors to this church. 1.Many of us when we think of God we think of a God that is love a.This is trueBut God is also holy and just ii.God is also Jealous for his people iii.If we are not a church that loves God with all our heart, soul, and mind God will shut our doors at Tar Heel Baptist Church . 1.This church that has stood for many years. 2.This church has been a light in this community and dark world. 3.Some of you are saying. God would never shut our doors. This is his church. I don’t really have to repent this morning. Everything will be ok. 4.Everything will work out in the end 5.God would never do such a thing. 1. the church of Ephesus continued and was later the scene of a major church council, but after the 5th century both the church and the city declined. I wish I could tell you this morning that the Church of Ephesus is going strong today. But I can’t. The immediate area has been uninhabited since the 14th century. The Church of Ephesus is dead. a.I can’t help but wonder if the reason so many churches are dying today b.The reason so many church are closing there doors is because they have lost sight of there first love. 2.In closing check out this short video about your first Love.

What Jesus is saying here is return to work with the joy you once had.

Return back to work with the motives you first had

Return back to when you enjoyed fellowship with other Christians and fellowship with God

Return back to your life being consumed by God and his wants and desires for your life

Return back to your first love.

Quite being the wife that is doing her duties out of obligations and return to being the wife who does her duties out of love

Return back this morning adults

Return back this morning youth

In verse 5 God gives the church a promise.if you don’t do this. I will come to you and remove your lampstand.

In verse 5 God tells the pastor of the church of Ephesus if you don’t do this.

I will come to you and remove your lampstand.

The I here is Jesus.

The removing of the lampstand is Jesus shutting the doors to the church.

This is the only time in the Bible that I am aware of it talking about a church closing. Even though it is estimated depending on who you look at between 4,000 to 10,000 churches close their door each year.

And since the church is in Jesus hands and he is total control of the church he has the right to close it doors.

Could it be the reason so many churches are closing is because Jesus is shutting their doors because they have abandoned their first love.

See for Jesus it is not about size of the congregation. It is not about worship styles. It is not about style of leadership. It is all about loving him the groom.

So does this church listen to God and return to Christ? Do they rekindle their love for Him.

the church of Ephesus continued and was later the scene of a major church council, but after the 5th century both the church and the city declined. I wish I could tell you this morning that the Church of Ephesus is going strong today. But I can’t.

This church that has stood for many years.

This church has been a light in this community and dark world.

.Some of you are saying. God would never shut our doors. This is his church.

I don’t really have to repent this morning. Everything will be ok.

.Everything will work out in the end

God would never do such a thing.

the church of Ephesus continued and was later the scene of a major church council, but after the 5th century both the church and the city declined. I wish I could tell you this morning that the Church of Ephesus is going strong today. But I can’t.

The immediate area has been uninhabited since the 14th century. The Church of Ephesus is dead.

Every head bowed

So this morning lets not be in a rush to get out of here. Let’s just take a moment.

3.I want you to take a moment and examine yourself. a.I want you to ask yourself. Do I need to return to my first love? ii.Do I need to brush off my Bible? iii.Am I serving the church out of tradition, obligation or am I serving out of my love for him b.This morning is there a time in your life you have been closer to God than at this moment. If so come and repent. 4.During our time of reponse today a.Will you respond by doing the same old thing b.Will you respond by continuing to serve by tradition or obligation c.Or today will your respond out of loveThe altar is open if you need to talk to someone I will be down front ii.If you need to come to the altar and pray come. d.Respond as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Let’s first just examine ourselves.

Let’s ask ourselves Do I need to return to may first love?

Why am I serving the church today? Is it because I have always done it? Is it out of obligation or am I serving out of my love for Jesus.

Are you backslidden? Is their a time you have been closer to God than right now in this minute? If so repent.

Let’s examine our church.

Do we at THBC need to return to our first love?

Why are we doing what we are doing?

Are we backslidden? Has their been a time in our life as a church where we where closer to God? If so let us repent and return to Jesus.

The altar is open if you need to talk to someone I will be down front

Respond as the Holy Spirit leads you.