Renewing Our First Love

Revelation 2:1-7

Text:

Title: Renewing Our First Love

Introduction:

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 420: Marriage

Even the most devoted couple will experience a stormy bout once in a while. A grandmother, celebrating her golden wedding anniversary, once told the secret of her long and happy marriage. “On my wedding day, I decided to make a list of ten of my husband’s faults which, for the sake of our marriage, I would overlook,” she said.

A guest asked the woman what some of the faults she had chosen to overlook were. The grandmother replied, “To tell you the truth, my dear, I never did get around to listing them. But whenever my husband did something that made me hopping mad, I would say to myself, Lucky for him that’s one of the ten!”

Introduction: Today we begin a series entitled “Renew.”

Chapters 2 & 3 of the Book of Revelation are letters that the Apostle John wrote to 7 separate churches that were actual historical places, these 7 churches also represent 7 church ages that we have gone through, and they also represent different types members.

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Note – The city of Ephesus was an urban city of the Roman Empire—a cosmopolitan city of various classes of people. (Show map)

King James Version Study Bible Chapter 2

The city of Ephesus was one of the most important commercial and religious cities in Asia Minor. The most famous temple of the goddess Artemis (Diana) was located there. It was also John’s headquarters before his exile. Ephesus served as the “mother” church to the others, all of which were connected by the same Roman road.

It was the location of the Temple of Diana—one of the seven wonders of the world.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 7039 Temple of Diana Now

The Temple of Diana is the most faded of all Ephesus’ glories. Today all that remains of the Temple are only a few broken bits of column lying in a shallow depression.

Concerning this temple, an ancient writer said, “I have seen the Gardens of Babylon, the Colossus of Rhodes, the immense pyramids, and the mausoleum, but when my eyes turned on the Temple of Diana at Ephesus all the other wonders of the world lost their brilliance.”

Note – The Church at Ephesus was a center for world evangelism during the ministry of the Apostle Paul. It was the only church to receive letters from two apostles—Paul and John.

Note – The Church at Ephesus was a center for world evangelism during the ministry of the Apostle Paul. It was the only church to receive letters from two apostles—Paul and John.

Note – The churches are referred to as candlesticks and the pastors are referred to as the stars.

Note – He holds seven stars in His hand, and these stars are the messengers (or pastors) of the seven churches. It is possible that messengers came to John from these churches and received this Book of Revelation from him personally. The stars are the messengers (1:20); Christ holds His servants in His hands. (They looked to Christ as head.)

Note – In today’s message we see a church that had left its first love.

1 Corinthians 13:1–2 KJV 1900

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

The work, labour, patience and contending for the faith is of little consequence or influence unless I am doing it for the love of my Saviour.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

I. The Lord’s Compliment

A. A caring church – v. 2

1. Works – A serving, working church

Works: er’-gon: business, employment, that which any one is occupied

2. Labor – “hast laboured”

Labor: kop-ee-ah’-o: to grow weary, tired, exhausted

Undoubtedly, like the church of Thessalonica (1:3), and to those written to in the book of Hebrews, their labor was a labor of love.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV 1900

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Hebrews 6:10 KJV 1900

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Quote – “The early Church was marked by missionary and evangelistic zeal as seen in the house-to-house witness for Christ, the missionary journeys of Paul, the fervent witness of men and women like Stephen, Philip, Ananias, Barnabas, Priscilla and Aquila, etc.… The church at Ephesus was a veritable beehive of Holy Spirit directed activity.” — Lehman Strauss, Commentary on Revelation

Quote- “I care not where I go or how I live or what I endure so that I may save souls. When I sleep, I dream of them; when I awake, they are first in my thoughts.”— David Brainerd.

Ill – Thank God for the 50+ years of labor at FBC…

· Bus Ministry, Military ministry

· Ushers

· Work Days

· Hospital Visits

· Marriage Counseling

· Sunday School Teachers

· Soulwinners

3. Patience

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Patience

Patience is letting your motor idle when you feel like stripping the gears.

An American Dictionary of the English Language PATIENCE

PATIENCE, n. pa´shens. [Fr. from L. patientia, from patior, to suffer; It. pazienza; Sp. Port. paciencia. The primary sense is continuance, holding out, from extending. Hence we see the connection between pass, and L. pando, passus, and Gr. πατεω. See Pass.]

1. The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness. Patience may spring from constitutional fortitude, from a kind of heroic pride, or from christian submission to the divine will.

2. A calm temper which bears evils without murmuring or discontent.

3. The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent.

Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Matt. 18.

4. Perseverance; constancy in labor or exertion.

He learnt with patience, and with meekness taught. Harte.

5. The quality of bearing offenses and injuries without anger or revenge.

His rage was kindled and his patience gone.

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Patience

A teacher had just finished putting the last pair of galoshes on her first-graders—thirty-two pairs in all. The last little girl said, “You know what, teacher? These aren’t my galoshes.”

The teacher removed them from the girl’s feet. Then the little girl continued, “They are my sister’s, and she let me wear them.” The teacher quietly put them back on her pupil.

Now that’s patience!

Note – How they withstood the resistance from the Jews and pagans concerning their faith.

Note – How they withstood the resistance from the Jews and pagans concerning their faith.

Their city was openly hostile to what they were teaching, yet they continued to see folks turn to Jesus Christ as their Saviour. And in the process God would take that new convert and transform their lives from pagan idolatry to serving the True and Living God!!!

Note – How they withstood the resistance from the Jews and pagans concerning their faith.

Patience may not always show up in our lives like we would, but our patience in service will make a difference in the lives of those that we touch!!

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Patience

Hudson Taylor would tell those who wanted to be missionaries to China that there were three indispensable requirements for a missionary:

1. Patience

2. Patience

3. Patience

Galatians 6:9–10 KJV 1900

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

B. A contending church – vv. 2b, 6

One can contend (oppose, debate, strive against) without becoming contentious (given to angry debate, quarrelsome).

“Just because I do not accept what you believe as equal to what I believe does not mean that I hate you as a person, or think that you should be put to death for your beliefs.”

I believe in the right for you to hold a wrong opinion on any subject, I just do no believe in your right to force me to believe in your wrong opinion.

Note – Nicolaitans – ruler of the people (Similar to a papal hierarchy)

King James Version Study Bible Chapter 2

The Nicolaitans were probably a libertine, antinomian sect who attempted to use Christian liberty as an excuse for self-indulgence and immorality (cf. vv. 14, 15).

Note – They stood against evil and apostasy.

Note – They stood against evil and apostasy.

Ill – The Corinthian church allowed evil; this church did not accept every “apostle.”

Note – This church was commended for its “intolerance” with false doctrine, false teachers and imposters who claimed apostolic authority.

As Bible believers, we are to mark those that are false apostles and warn others about them and their deception!!!

Since the apostle John (pastor at Ephesus)was the last living apostle of the first century, it would be those who perhaps would make false claims, like the Gnostic gospel writers did. The Gnostics were/are those that deny that Jesus is God….

Note – They practiced discernment…

An American Dictionary of the English Language DISCERNMENT

DISCERN´MENT, n. The act of discerning; also, the power or faculty of the mind, by which it distinguishes one thing from another, as truth from falsehood virtue from vice; acuteness of judgment; power of perceiving differences of things or ideas, and their relations and tendencies. The errors of youth often proceed from the want of discernment.

1 John 4:1 KJV 1900

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Yet without love they were as sounding brass. WE are to be a people that are insulated from the world, but never isolated from the world…. “Go ye into all the world”….many fall because they were isolated and never properly insulated so when the time comes they are swept away with worldliness, carnality, etc…

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, to see whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 Corinthians 13:1 KJV 1900

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Yet without love they were as sounding brass. WE are to be a people that are insulated from the world, but never isolated from the world…. “Go ye into all the world”….many fall because they were isolated and never properly insulated so when the time comes they are swept away with worldliness, carnality, etc…

C. A consistent church – v. 3

Note - They had struggled on.

Note - They were faithful for the sake of Christ!

Galatians 6:9 KJV 1900

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

The Lord’s Compliments

II. The Lord’s Concern

A. Their passion had lessened. – v. 4

Note – They had left their first love… They had lost the excitement of the Resurrection.

Ephesians 1:15 KJV 1900

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Ill – First love is always filled with zeal and excitement.

Ill – First love is always filled with zeal and excitement.

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7

Ill – Serving was not with joy.

Ill – Old Hymn – “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.”

Logos Hymnal Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Come Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above;

Praise the mount—I’m fixed upon it—

Mount of Thy redeeming love.

2 Here I raise mine Ebenezer:

Hither by Thy help I’m come;

And I hope by Thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wand’ring from the fold of God;

He to rescue me from danger

Interposed His precious blood.

3 O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,

Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.

Prone to wander—Lord, I feel it—

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart—O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

Note – Jesus with eyes aflame says, “I have somewhat against this church”

Note – Jesus with eyes aflame says, “I have somewhat against this church”

Note – We don’t serve out of duty or for praise – we serve for love!

Note – – “The love of Christ constraineth us…”

Ill – Don’t lose your passion for your ministry!

B. Their witness had diminished. – v. 5a

1. Lack of love

Note – They were fallen – Their light was diminished!

Note – First love is that love we had for Jesus Christ when we were first saved. The death of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion means something to us as Christians.

Ill – 1983-Sunday Night Service God changed my eternal destination forever!!! Since then He has been changing my life!!!!

Note – Thank God for someone that cared to invite, give, share: so that I could be saved!!!! Several of you in this room are saved because someone shared the Gospel with me!!!!

A lack of compassion and involvement for reaching them is usually the first characteristic of a “Chilled church”

Quote – “In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering.” - Howard Hendricks.

Ill – “A wife or husband may remain faithful and may give evidence of careful attention in matters pertaining to each other, and yet there may be a decline in first love. Similarly, a church member may be very regular in his attendance at the services, but no amount of activity, however intense, can compensate for a lack of love.” - Lehman Strauss

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

2. Lessening of service

Ill – As a marriage starts off, so does our relationship with Christ. A husband was coming out of anesthesia, after a series of tests in the hospital. His wife was sitting at his bedside, when his eyes fluttered open and he muttered, “You are beautiful.” Flattered, the wife continued the vigil. Later, he woke up again and said, “You’re cute!” “What happened to beautiful?” She asked. “The drugs are wearing off,” The husband replied!

Ill - Many Christians start with excitement.

Matthew 24:12 KJV 1900

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

2 Timothy 4:10 KJV 1900

For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

We are to remain faithful: not because of guilt, pride, shame, someone else’s nagging, but remain faithful because of Love!!

The Lord’s Compliments

The Lord’s Concern

III. The Lord’s Counsel-vs. 5

A. Remember

Psalm 105:5 KJV 1900

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Psalm 143:5 KJV 1900

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

Note – Remember when you loved the Bible.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all they works; I muse on the works of they hands…

Note – Remember when you loved the Bible.

Ill – Remember, it’s not your wife that has changed, it’s not your friend or the church.

B. Repent – Change of heart, attitude, and direction

Note – The result of this repentance is a return to the first works—works of love.

Ill - In his book, I Surrender, Patrick Morley writes that the church's integrity problem is in the misconception "that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior." He goes on to say, "It is revival without reformation, without repentance."

2 Corinthians 7:9–10 KJV 1900

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

James 4:8 KJV 1900

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Note – a lot of people in our churches hate evil (v. 6) but we’re not loving the Lord and the lost.

Note – a lot of people in our churches hate evil (v. 6) but we’re not loving the Lord and the lost.

(Dead orthodoxy – duty – no love)

C. Receive – The Words of the Lord – v. 7

D. Renew our Love for God: Refocus your love and your life on Jesus Christ.

Conclusion – Think to when you were first saved!

Psalm 51:12 KJV 1900

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.

For some, they may never have been saved!

For some, they may never have been saved!

Marriage: remember what it took to get to the wedding day…do that again!!!

For some, they may never have been saved!