What About Your First Love? 7/5/09

Sunday, July 5, 2009

WHAT ABOUT YOUR FIRST LOVE?
Rev. 2:1-7

God created and He said, “It is good.” After the creation reached its climax in the forming of man, God said, “It is very good.” The creation was very good because God Himself is very good and more. He placed Adam and Eve in a wonderful garden, where they had everything anyone could want. Above all else, they had the privilege of fellowship with their Creator. We know that this marvelous arrangement only lasted for a time, until Adam and Eve decided they would trust their own judgment instead of God’s Word. We call it the fall, because they fell from their privileged fellowship with God.

Their fall has touched all of their descendants. That is why we don’t have to teach our children to be selfish and rebellious. “Foolishness is bound in the heart of child” (Prov. 22:15) because every child is born a sinner, dead in his trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). All of us have proved we are sinners by sinning. Though we tried to do better, we found that sin was at the very core of our being. Yes, we were slaves to sin. No matter what we did, that stubborn truth did not change. Though some of us learned great truths from the Bible and prayed and tried to do good, we found that we did not have the power to escape our bondage to sin.

But praise God that Adam was “the figure of him that was to come” (Rom. 5:14). Yes, there would be a second man, a last Adam. And who was that? It was none other than Jesus of Nazareth, the Word who was in the beginning, who was with God and who was God (John 1:1-2). The first Adam had a choice to trust God or to go his own way; he went his own way. The last Adam, not being born of two human parents but being conceived by the Holy Spirit, had that same choice; He trusted His Father. He was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). He could testify with all integrity that He always did those things which pleased His Father (John 8:29).

That same Jesus went to the cross. The only man who didn’t deserve to die for His sins was crucified for ours. It pleased the Lord to bruise Him (Is. 53:10). No one took His life from Him; He laid it down of His own accord (John 10:18). God made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21). "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10). That is, God sent His Son to turn away His own wrath. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. That is why God can be just in making us right with God.

And that same Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, demonstrating that He was Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness (Rom. 1:4). His resurrection reversed the verdict of Satan and the world, that He was a criminal, smitten of God. It was not some mystical rising of the Spirit; Jesus was raised in bodily form. He appeared to His disciples and at one time was seen by over 500 people. After 40 days, His own disciples watched Him ascend into heaven.

Because of what He would do on that cross and because He would rise never to die again, Jesus could preach the simple message, “Repent and believe the gospel.” What I have shared with you is the gospel, the good news. You can be set free of your bondage. Jesus was proclaimed Savior at His birth, because He came to save His people from their sins. Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). You can have that life, as you repent and believe, as you give up on making yourself better and throw yourself on Jesus who died in your place. This very day you can cry out to God, “O God, I confess that I am a slave of sin and have nothing good in me. I can’t do a thing to change myself. I need you to give me a new heart and to make me right with yourself. Lord, please do this in my life.”

As people have responded to that gospel down through the centuries, what has resulted? The establishing of local churches. God didn’t call us to walk alone, but rather to exhort one another, pray for one another, care for one another, love one another, and serve one another as we walk together in the body of Christ.

I. A Great Church in Ephesus

I want to remind you of one of the great New Testament churches. I am speaking of the church at Ephesus. On his second missionary journey, Paul passed through Ephesus and reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue. They wanted him to stay longer, but he told them that it was important for him to arrive in Jerusalem in time for the feast. However, he assured them that he would return, if it was the Lord’s will (Acts 18:19-21). The Lord was indeed willing, and Paul was true to his word. The focal point of the third missionary journey was Ephesus.

Paul’s ministry at Ephesus began in the synagogue, where he continued to preach boldly for three months. But when some of the Jews there became hardened against his ministry and began to stir up trouble, Paul rented a place and continued to teach the new disciples for two years. That seems like a long time for a church planter like Paul to remain in one place, but rest assured that it was worth it. We read in Acts 19:10, “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” Paul reminds the elders of the Ephesian church that he had ministered there for three years (Acts 20:31).

It is difficult to overstate the influence of the Ephesian church. As we read, as a result of Paul’s ministry there, “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” When Paul instructed the disciples in Ephesus, he was training missionaries who would take the gospel all over Asia Minor. It is no wonder that some believe the first letter of Revelation 2-3 was addressed to Ephesus because it was the mother church of the six other churches. Paul spent more time at Ephesus than any other place of ministry. If you check the record in Acts, you will find in Ephesus great miracles, the healing of the sick, the casting out of demons in Jesus’ name, and many turning to Christ. This was not just a religious movement that could be confined to the Christian meetings. So many lives were radically changed that the business of those who sold idols was severely restricted, leading to a major riot in which Paul’s very life was threatened.

The strength of the Ephesian church didn’t end with the ministry of Paul. Paul founded this church and ministered there three years during his third missionary journey. After leaving, he ministered in a few other places, but on his way to Jerusalem he called for the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him at Miletus. There he came them some critical instructions (see Acts 20:17-38). From I Tim. 1:3, we learn that Paul left Timothy to minister at the church in Ephesus. Tradition teaches that John the apostle served there for many years. I say all that to emphasize that Ephesus was a strong and effective missionary church.

II. A Timely Message for the Ephesian Chuch

With that background in mind, let’s turn to the last New Testament record of the church at Ephesus. And where do we find that? Yes, in Revelation 2. Most of you are aware that Rev. 2-3 contains seven letters to seven churches. The letters are from the Lord Jesus Himself. The churches were all in the Roman province of Asia (geographically, the western part of what we would refer to as Asia Minor, roughly modern Turkey). Though we know there were other churches in this same region (such as Colossae and Heirapolis), these seven seem to be representative of all. Each letter is addressed to the “angel” of that particular church. The word translated “angel” simply means messenger. Sometimes it is a heavenly messenger, sometimes not. In this case the messenger is a representative of the church. Some would see him as pastor of the church. The first of these letters is the letter to the church at Ephesus. Let’s read that letter in Rev. 2:1-7…
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

As in all of these letters, Jesus begins with a description of Himself. In this first letter, He identifies Himself as “He that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks (or ‘lampstands’).” We learn from 1:20 that the seven golden candlesticks are the churches themselves and the seven stars are the angels of the churches. Without going into detail, it seems clear that Jesus is present in the churches and is in control of the churches. The destiny of the church is in His hands. As the one who walks among the lampstands, He is present within the church.

Back up in 1:14 Jesus eyes’ were described as being like a flame of fire. They pierce everything. As Jesus walks among the churches, He is inspecting them. He sees everything about every church. That is why He can say to everyone of these churches, “I know…” He knows because all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do (Heb. 4:13).

Before we get into the meat of this letter to the church at Ephesus, let me say just a few words about these letters and these churches. As I mentioned, there were other churches in the area, but Jesus sent letters only to these seven. “Seven” is a number that is used throughout Revelation and throughout the Bible. It speaks of completion, or perfection. I understand the use of the number seven with regard to these letters as a way of indicating that these letters are for all churches of all times. There are those who believe that each letter represents a different period of time in church history. That may be true, but even if it is, don’t think that only one of these letters pertains to us. In His wisdom, God knows how to apply the truth of every letter to every church. So understand that when Jesus writes to the church at Ephesus, He is also writing to the church at La Luz. Jesus is inspecting this church. He knows everything about us, as there is no reality that can be hidden from Him.

A. Strong Commendation

After identifying Himself, the Lord then speaks words of strong commendation. Verses 2-3…
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

In two of the letters, Jesus uses the statement “I know thy works” in a negative way (Sardis and Laodicea), but not here. He uses three words in verse 2 to commend their conduct – works, labor, patience. The word “works” is the general term. It simply speaks of the deeds of the church. Then the Lord becomes more specific in praising their labor and patience. The word “labor” simply means “to toil.” It speaks of working to the point of exhaustion. The Ephesian Christians were not lazy. They had toiled tirelessly for the Lord, and Jesus commends them for it. The word translated “patience” means “stedfast endurance.” This word does not speak of a passive folding of the arms, but of what one calls a “triumphant fortitude.” It speaks of remaining true in time of trial, literally meaning “to remain under the load.” It is described well by the attitude of Ps. 16:8, "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Jesus was pleased with their works, specifically their labor and perseverance.

Then He becomes even more specific: “and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.” When Jesus says they did not put up with those who are evil, He certainly wasn’t talking about sinners in general. We know He can’t mean that, because Jesus Himself was a friend of sinners. The key to understanding is in the context, when He says they have tested those who claim to be apostles and are not. Jesus is speaking about false teachers. There were those who claimed to speak for God but who did not. To their credit, the Christians of the Ephesus church did not tolerate them. Down in verse 6 He further commends them for their stance against the Nicolaitanes, who were also teachers of false doctrine. The Ephesian church unapologetically stood for truth. They cared about the truth of scripture, about right doctrine, and Jesus strongly commended them for it.

In verse 3 Jesus repeats three of the terms He used in verse 2 – hast borne, labor, patience. This is largely a strengthening of the concepts of verse 2, with the additional idea that they have not fainted. They continued to labor and demonstrate stedfast endurance. But whereas in verse 2, Jesus commended them because they would not bear, now He praises them for bearing. It is the exact same word, but this word has a wide range of meaning. The idea seems to be something like this: Jesus praised them because they refused to bear with the false teachers, but He now praises them because they were willing to bear the consequences that came as a result. It is not popular to stand for the truth. Standing for truth often stirs up opposition. These brothers and sisters were willing to bear the cost, refusing to be moved by the pressure of men. Though the road was long, they did not faint.

Now let me shift from Ephesus to La Luz. In the name and spirit of our Lord Jesus, I want to commend this church. He knows our works and He is pleased. Jesus is aware that through the years we have labored. Though there have been times when we became weary, we did not faint. We have continued to remain under the load, to be faithful even when circumstances were difficult.

Very specifically, I want you to know that the Lord is pleased with the fact that this church has stood for truth and has refused to embrace the false teachings that are constantly swirling around us. Paul urges us not to be like children, “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). We have witnessed the great influences of the church growth movement, the prosperity gospel, the purpose driven movement, and now the emergent movement, but we have refused to tolerate them. That is not to say that we have it all together and that we perfectly know the truth. Nevertheless, the Lord commends us for seeking to remain faithful to the true gospel.

I remind you that it was to the leaders of this very church of Ephesus that Paul spoke these final words of warning in Acts 20:28-31…
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

There have been a couple of times when we had to deal with very obvious false teachers. Many years ago we had to go to a particular individual and ask that individual not to talk to any of the members of this church. But most of the time the attacks have been more subtle. Though we have not handled these situations perfectly, we have continued to toil tirelessly to preserve the truth of the gospel. That is pleasing to the Lord. Praise God for the privilege of working, laboring, enduring stedfastly, and even bearing reproach for His name.

After his commendation for the stance against the Nicolaitanes in verse 6, this letter to the church of Ephesus closes with a wonderful promise of verse 7, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." The one who overcomes will have the privilege of eating from the tree of life in the midst of God’s paradise. Adam and Eve were in the Garden where stood the tree of life, but because they didn’t trust the Lord, they were not able to eat from the tree of life. But praise God that the last Adam, Jesus Christ, promises that we can yet eat of that tree of life. Jesus Himself opened the way by overcoming sin and death through His own sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection. We can overcome by trusting that same Christ. 1 John 4:4, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." And that trust is always closely associated with obedience, for we read in Rev 22:14, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

Jesus is still inspecting His churches, and He is doing it this very hour. Praise God that He has found us faithful, as we continue to labor and endure, as we stand for the truth for His name’s sake.

B. A Word of Rebuke

Okay, does anyone have anything to add? Aren’t you thankful for this letter to the Ephesian church, which we can take personally even today? [Hopefully, a few brave souls will bring it to my attention that we skipped verses 4 and 5.]

Oh, you think we left out part of the passage. I am well aware of that fact, but we don’t want to be negative. There is too much negativity; we want to stay positive. But if you insist, perhaps we had better look at verses 4 and 5...
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Jesus has given the Ephesian Chrsitians great commendation for things that were right in the church. He only finds one thing wrong, the fact that they had forsaken their first love. In light of all the praise, surely this can’t be very important. But it is important. And how do we know? Because of what we find in verse 5. It is important enough that it requires repentance. Not only that, but if there is no repentance and change, Jesus will remove their lampstand. When Jesus finds fault with them because they have left their first love, it is not something to be taken lightly.

What we must understand is the importance of this love. When Jesus was asked, “What is the great commandment?” how did He answer? “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... And you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt. 22:37-39). This commandment to love stands above all others. More than once, Paul says that this love for others is the fulfillment of the law. As we ponder the importance of this love, we begin to see why Jesus was concerned about the Ehpesian church.

Please turn to the first chapter of I Thessalonians. Let’s read 1 Th. 1:2-3, "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3. 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…" Notice the words “work,” “labor,” and “patience.” These are the exact same terms that Jesus has used her in Rev. 2:2. As Jesus praised the Ephesian believers for these qualities, Paul appreciates these same things in Thessalonica. However, there is a great difference. Notice that Paul speaks of work produced by faith, and labor motivated by love, and patience that grew out of hope in the Lord Jesus. The Ephesians still had the works, labor, and patience, but they were lacking in love. In Thessalonica it was faith, love, and hope that undergirded their work, labor, and stedfast endurance. The Ephesians were still clinging to the outward deeds, but they were no longer based on love for the Lord. Remember those first three verses of I Cor. 13… (13:1-3, NASV)
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Yes, it is possible to do good deeds and not have love. That is what Jesus finds in the Ephesian church.

III. What About the Church at La Luz?

So does that have anything to do with us? Do you think the Lord might be speaking the same thing to us? Is this a danger to avoid? Or is this failure for which we need to repent? Brothers and sisters, the Lord is speaking directly to us in this letter. I believe with all my heart He can indeed commend us for our work, labor, and stedfast endurance. Though we may be criticized because we take a stand for truth and seek to preach a pure gospel, the Lord Jesus makes it clear that He is pleased with that. He does not despise our labor and good deeds.

Now here is the danger we face. The great danger is that we will come to trust that our good deeds, tireless labor, and stedfast endurance can be a substitute for God’s love working through us. You might say, “Those are the fruits of our love.” Not necessarily. That wasn’t true in Ephesus. The same people who are commended for their works, labor, and stedfast endurance are rebuked for forsaking their first love. Brothers and sisters, we need to hear the rebuke of our Lord. Have we not left our first love?

Don’t misunderstand this concept of first love. Jesus is not saying that the greatest love we can have for Him is the love we experience when we first meet Him. If that were the case, we would inevitably leave our first love behind; we would have no choice but to do so. That is not what He is saying. Think back to when the Lord first made you His own. Do you remember your love for Him? Do you remember how other things grew pale beside your life in Christ? Do you remember how eager you were to know Him more, to spend time with Him, to discover what He said in His Word? That is the first love the Lord is talking about here. Doctrinal purity and the performing of good deeds do not guarantee a passionate love for Jesus Christ.

Let me put it this way – it is the first love that leaves first. It is possible to continue believing the right things and doing many acts of service without that childlike love for Jesus Christ, just like we saw in I Corinthians 13. The more our deeds cease to be based on love, the less their value. We are always in danger of relying upon our forms and routines, though we profess our reluctance to do so.

Do you remember Jesus’ conversation with Peter after the resurrection. “Peter, do you love me?” “Lord, you know that I love you?” Jesus asked him that three times, reminding Peter that he had denied him three times. This morning let’s cut through everything else and hear the Lord Jesus asking us that same question, “Do you love me? Do you love me like you did at first? Do you have that childlike abandonment that you once knew?”

Now let’s read from God’s Word. Luke 7:36-50…
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38. And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43. Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

And now let’s read Mark 14:3-9…
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

What wonderful examples of two people who had a deep love for Jesus. Because of that love for Jesus, nothing else mattered. Can we hear Jesus saying this morning, “I commend you for your good deeds, for your tireless labor, and for keeping on keeping on, but I have one thing against you – you have forsaken your first love for me. I long for that love from you.”

Lest you think I am burdening you, let me give you the good news. According to Jesus, there is a way back to our first love. Praise God! Jesus was not condemning the Ephesian Christians nor us. After gently reproving them, He then gave the solution. That solution can be summarized in three words: remember, repent, and return. The solution is no different for us: remember, repent, and return.

First, we must remember. I’m not just talking to us as individuals, but also as a body. It is hard for me to put my finger on it, but it seems that there is something missing in us. I sense that some of you struggle with that same thing. Could this be it? Can we remember times when there was an abandonment to the Lord that we have lost? Studies have been done which reveal a strong trend in all religious groups. As the group grows older, it tends to cool in its zeal and love for the Lord. It can be true of entire denominations, and it can be true of a local church. It seems that in earlier days we had no one to depend upon but the Lord. As time goes on, we have a way of putting our trust in other things. Maybe we think that since the pastors are older and hopefully wiser, we can trust them. Or maybe we come to trust in our reputation. The bottom line is that we trust other things more and the Lord less. If we are trusting Him less, you can rest assured that our love for Him is lessening as well. Can you remember the sweetness of first love for the Lord?

Remember from where you have fallen. Yes, the Lord Jesus refers to it as a fall. We may see it as a gradual drift, but He sees it as a fall. We were here, and now we have fallen down to this level. Brothers and sisters, it is not inevitable that our love for the Lord lessen as we grow older – not as individuals, and not as a church. The Lord has something better. He wants us to remember. Our Lord is not just talking about going back to the good old days. There are things we have forsaken to which we should not return. Nevertheless, we must remember the tender, childlike first love from which we have fallen.

So once we realize the truth of Jesus’ statement and remember the height from which we are fallen, what then? Repent. Have such a radical change of mind that your life is changed. We thought we were getting along pretty good. Things may not be all they should be, but we’re doing all right. We’re doing better than most. The Lord is still working on us. We’ll be all right. Repent. No, we are not doing all right, if we have forsaken our first love. What could be worse than loving Jesus less? He is our Redeemer. He gave His very life for us and took our punishment on the cross. He loved us when we were absolutely unlovable. What is worse than moving away from our first love for Him? When we repent, we acknowledge the awfulness of our sin and desire His best. We forsake all of our excuses and coping strategies.

Then what? Return. In Jesus’ words, “Do the first works.” Do the things you did at the first. But Jesus has already praised them for their works. Surely He is now including motive. We may be doing some good deeds, but who can fathom the deeds that will flow from us, as we move back to our first love for our Savior and Lord. It was love that drove the woman to anoint His feet and wipe them with her tears. It was love that led Mary to anoint Jesus’ body for burial, even when His own apostles criticized her for it. “Do the first works. Let love compel you to deeds that will glorify me.”

As we seek to remember, repent, and return, is there one thing that holds it altogether? Absolutely. We remember our first love, but we remember something deeper. We repent of the sin of forsaking our first love, but we don’t keep looking at our sin. We seek to return to the first works, but our focus isn’t on a previous experience. In all of this, we look to Jesus. Why did we come to love Him in the first place? Because He first loved us and gave Himself for us. Our desire is not to return to an experience in the past, but the Lord in the present. He is worthy. He is glorious. Remember that marvelous verse at the end of II Corinthians 3. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Cor. 3:18).

Conclusion

After I got this message together, I prayed over it a great deal. “Lord, is this right? Is it true that we have forsaken our first love?” Even then, I wanted to soften it. Maybe we have slacked off a little. No, I believe Jesus would have us hear it just as He spoke it.

Having said that, I want to emphasize that our focus must not be on the fact that we have forsaken our first love. Our focus must be upon what Jesus said to do about it: Remember, repent, return. I don’t think it’s enough to just preach a sermon about it this morning and then forget it. Let’s make this our theme in these days. You will notice in your bulletin that we have songs for the new quarter. The first is that old hymn “Revive Us Again.” The Psalmist prayed, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Ps. 85:6). The second is a newer hymn, “Christ Alone.” We have sung it a few times. It has a powerful message. Then we have a little chorus called “O Lord, You’re Beautiful.” The second verse goes like this…
Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright and clear;
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fear.

Our passage for memory and meditation will be Rev. 2:4-5. Brothers and sisters, we desperately need revival, beginning with a revival of our first love.

Let me remind you that God convicts us that He might change us, conforming us to the
image of His Son Jesus. Let’s thank Him for His conviction and that He has promised to complete the work that He has begun in us.