The Loveless Church // Rev. Craig Gyergyo

In a world where God is stirring hearts and opening doors, there is a unique opportunity to join in His work by sowing His Word into our neighborhoods. The call is to participate in a movement that is not about programs or numbers, but about sharing the transformative power of Scripture and the love of Christ with those around us. As we distribute Bibles and pray for our community, we trust that God’s Word will not return void, but will bring hope and new life to many.

Turning to the book of Revelation, the focus is on the seven letters to the churches, beginning with Ephesus. These letters are not just ancient history; they are living words meant to speak to the church today, revealing both strengths and weaknesses that persist across generations. The church at Ephesus was doctrinally sound, hardworking, and steadfast, yet Jesus’ appraisal revealed a critical flaw: they had abandoned their first love. It is possible to have truth without tenderness, doctrine without devotion, and activity without intimacy. The danger is mistaking busyness and orthodoxy for a vibrant, loving relationship with Christ.

The loss of first love is not accidental; it is a deliberate drift of the heart. When love for Christ cools, the church loses its radiance and spiritual influence, becoming a lampstand without light. The symptoms are subtle but real: loss of joy, diminished love for others, and a self-centered perspective. The call is not to nostalgia, but to renewed communion with God—a return to the passion and intimacy that once marked our walk with Jesus.

Jesus offers a gracious path back: remember, repent, and return. Remember the height from which you have fallen—the joy, peace, and purpose that came when Christ first broke through in your life. Repent by changing your mind and direction, confessing where your love has grown cold and seeking His mercy. Return to the habits and practices that once stirred your affections for Him, whether through prayer, worship, Scripture, or other means that draw you close. The invitation is not to work harder, but to draw nearer, trusting that His grace is always pursuing you. The story is not over; the door is not locked. Christ’s love is waiting to rekindle your heart and shine through you once again.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The true vitality of a church is not measured by programs, attendance, or doctrinal sharpness, but by the depth of its love for Christ and others. When the heart grows cold, even the most impressive outward works lose their spiritual power. The Lord’s appraisal looks beyond activity to the affections and motivations that drive us. [15:03]
• 2. Abandoning first love is a gradual, intentional shift of the heart, not a mere accident. It manifests in a loss of joy, a fading love for others, and a growing self-importance. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial, as they signal a deeper spiritual drift that can rob both individuals and communities of their influence and light. [21:51]
• 3. The process of returning to first love begins with remembering—recalling the moments when Christ’s love was most real and transformative. This act of remembrance is not about sentimentality, but about rekindling gratitude and awe for what God has done, which in turn stirs fresh devotion and passion. [30:10]
• 4. Repentance is more than feeling guilty or resolving to do better; it is a decisive turning away from lesser loves and self-centered ambitions, and a turning toward Christ with honesty and humility. True repentance involves confessing coldness, seeking mercy, and trusting in the sufficiency of Christ’s grace to restore and renew. [32:21]
• 5. Drawing near to God is sustained by intentional practices—prayer, worship, Scripture, and other means that uniquely stir our affections for Jesus. Identifying and prioritizing these practices, while minimizing what dulls our love, is essential for maintaining a vibrant relationship with Christ. The invitation is always to draw nearer, not to strive harder, for His grace is already pursuing us. [39:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - Bible Give Project: Sowing God’s Word
• [01:39] - Invitation to Participate in the Movement
• [03:05] - Prayer for the Community and the Project
• [04:11] - Introduction to the Revelation Series
• [04:47] - The Significance of Ephesus
• [06:22] - Paul, Timothy, and John in Ephesus
• [07:22] - The Letters to the Seven Churches
• [08:36] - The Call to Listen: Revelation 2:7
• [10:14] - Jesus’ Appraisal of the Church
• [11:41] - The Radiance of the Church
• [13:22] - Christ Holds the Church
• [15:03] - Commendation and the Danger of Losing Love
• [16:28] - The Appraisal: Abandoning First Love
• [19:04] - How Radiance is Relinquished
• [22:53] - Personal Testimony: Rediscovering First Love
• [25:00] - Signs of Drifting from First Love
• [28:41] - The Path to Recovery: Remember, Repent, Return
• [33:26] - Returning to Habits of Grace
• [35:01] - When Love Cools, Grace Pursues
• [36:07] - A Story of Restoration
• [39:14] - What Stirs Your Affection for Christ?
• [41:28] - Invitation to Reflect and Worship

Bible Reading

Revelation 2:1-7 (NIV) — 1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:
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.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Revelation 2:2-3, what are some of the strengths that Jesus recognizes in the church at Ephesus?
2. What is the main issue Jesus has with the church at Ephesus, as stated in verse 4? How does he describe it?
3. What does Jesus say will happen if the church does not repent and return to their first love? (see verse 5)
4. In the sermon, what are some of the symptoms mentioned that show a church or person has left their first love? [[25:00]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think it’s possible for a church to be doctrinally sound and hardworking, yet still lose its “first love”? What does this reveal about the difference between outward activity and inward affection? [[16:28]]
2. The sermon says that abandoning first love is a “deliberate drift of the heart,” not just an accident. What might cause someone or a church to drift away from their first love for Christ? [[21:51]]
3. Jesus gives three steps to return: remember, repent, and return. Why do you think remembering is the first step? How can remembering past experiences with God help rekindle love for Him? [[30:10]]
4. The sermon mentions that repentance is not just feeling guilty or trying harder, but turning away from “lesser loves” and self-centered ambitions. What are some examples of “lesser loves” that might take the place of love for Christ? [[32:21]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to look beyond programs, attendance, or doctrinal sharpness and instead focus on our love for Christ and others. In your own life, are there ways you have measured your spiritual health by activity rather than affection? What would it look like to shift your focus? [[15:03]]
2. The loss of first love is described as a gradual drift. Looking back, can you identify any signs in your own life where your love for Christ has cooled? What were the symptoms—loss of joy, diminished love for others, or self-centeredness? [[25:00]]
3. Jesus invites us to remember, repent, and return. Is there a specific moment or season in your life when your relationship with Jesus felt especially real and alive? What practices or habits helped you experience that closeness? How could you return to some of those habits now? [[30:10]]
4. The sermon says repentance means turning away from “lesser loves.” Are there specific things—habits, ambitions, distractions—that have taken priority over your relationship with Christ? What would it look like to confess and turn from them this week? [[32:21]]
5. Drawing near to God is sustained by intentional practices like prayer, worship, and Scripture. What are the practices that most stir your affection for Jesus? Are there any you want to prioritize or reintroduce in your life this week? [[39:14]]
6. The pastor shared that certain activities (like music, early mornings, or time alone) help stir his affection for Christ. What unique activities or rhythms help you feel close to God? How can you make space for them in your schedule? [[39:14]]
7. The sermon ends with the reminder that when our love cools, God’s grace is still pursuing us. How does this truth encourage you? Is there an area where you need to trust that God’s grace is running after you, even if you feel distant? [[35:01]]