Returning to the First Love

Hiking in Colorado

Several years ago - hiking with a friend in north Wyoming

Hatchet - for protection

A couple of years ago at family reunion

Hiked up with the kids

Went with people - didn’t take my gun

Paid attention to the people - lost in conversation

Didn’t pay attention to the details

Came to a Y and there was a log - kept following the people

We finally made it!

The Goal

Decided that I could head back with the girls....by ourselves!

I thought I knew where I was going

Came to that Y from earlier.... ”followed the path”

Fence - that wasn’t there

Finally realized that we were lost

Random house

Called for help, but couldn’t get anyone

One of the girls fell and scratched their leg

Used the last of my water in my water bottle

Fire extinguisher

Building - random guy - made it back!

I tell you this for 2 reasons:

Don’t go hiking with me in the mountains

You see, I was fine following the leaders, but didn’t pay attention to the details, I thought that I could make it on my own

Similarly, in our relationship with God, we can get lost when we lose focus.

Revelation 2:4 NIV

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

Revelation 2:4 (The Message)

4 “But you walked away from your first love...

You started off well....

Revelation 2:2–3 NIV

2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

You has persevered. You have stood for the truth. You have endured hardships and not grown weary.

Revelation 2:4 (The Message)

4 “But you walked away from your first love...

You have done everything right, except, you have forgotten your first love.

So,

What was their “First Love?”

Love for Jesus

Love for the Church and fellowship

Love for Witnessing to the world

1. Love for Jesus

Coming to know and hopefully, began to understand how much He loves us!

Maverick City says it this way in their song Jireh

I'll never be more loved than I am right now Wasn't holding You up So there's nothing I can do to let You down It doesn't take a trophy to make You proud I'll never be more loved than I am right now, oh

Essentially, what has happened here is they have lost focus on what Jesus has done for them! Guys, it is imperative that we don’t lose focus on Jesus!

Caleb, you take this Jesus thing too seriously.....yeah, and the reason is, because He is ultimately my first love.....and I want Him to be yours!

I know how easily it is to be distracted and to fall away!

I know how easy it is to miss the little things…to lose focus for a second…to not pay attention to the dead tree limb...

Knowing and understand what God has done in our lives is not only important so that we stay focused, but is a weapon against the enemy.

Revelation 12:11 (NIV)

11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.....

One of the ways that we overcome the enemy is by the Gospel! By the death and resurrection of Jesus - and of the story of what He has done in our lives!

I was sharing this with someone this week....

The reason that our testimony is so strong is because you can’t argue with it....

We can argue scripture, and theology, but you can’t tell me what God didn’t do in my life!

What God did in my life is true.

They overcome him by the gospel and the power of the cross....and the word of their testimony!

We should be testifying about what God has done and is doing in our lives!

Pratt - Julia - women’s groups - Life story

2. Love for the Church and for Fellowship

Keep in mind how the early church started.

Acts 2:1 NIV

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Acts 2:42–47 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The early church began with fellowship and love for each other and the Church!

Sometimes I wonder if we have lost our first love.....are we too busy?

You know, some people freak out at the thought of the end times…I have always been semi-excited because we will know who truly are believers.

We will be forced to be together and love and support each other!

Have we lost our first love of fellowship and for the Church?

3. Love for Witnessing to the World

When the early church, witnessing was life or death! And for the 12 disciples it meant death in horrible ways.....

But, because of their faithfulness, we can be here!

Millions have been set free and saved!

When I was first saved I was on fire - threw all Garth Brooks CD’s in the trash

Was telling everyone about what Jesus has done for me...

I’m not telling you to throw your Garth Brooks CD’s in the trash…what I am saying is that I so badly wanted to be transformed by Jesus that I would do whatever it took.

Am I still on fire for witnessing to the world?

Or, have I lost my first love?

What to do if you have found you have lost your first love

Revelation 2:5 (NIV)

5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first...

Remember from where you have fallen

Remember the details....What has God done for you?

Where did you go astray?

Think about where you are now and where you should be!

Repent - change your thinking

Get back on track and refocus

When I was lost on the mountain, I called for help

The advice was to stay on the trail, and keep going down…don’t turn around and get lost anymore

Stay focused on the trail

If we have gone astray, reach out to Jesus! Keep on following Him!

Do the deeds that you did at first

What did you do at first?

Accepted the gift of who Jesus was - was willing to do anything that He asked to be transformed

Met with other believers in fellowship and took care of the church

Shared the gospel with the world!

Allowed God to work in your life and in the lives of others!

Worship Team

As we wrap up this morning, I encourage you to think about your first love.

Look back on your life - and see what God has done for you!

If you don’t know Him, no greater time is it than now!

Matthew 11:28–30 NIV

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The cost of going to Jesus is laying down your pride - and the reward, is rest and peace!

Romans 10:9 NIV

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

If you are a believer this morning, but know that you have lost your first love, I encourage you to:

Think about where you are and how you got there

Repent - ask for forgiveness - change your thinking

Reset and do what you did at first!

You are welcome to come up for some prayer or stay right where you are!