Rekindling Our First Love for Christ

The church at Ephesus stands as a powerful example for us today, not just because of its rich history and influence, but because of the direct words Jesus spoke to it in Revelation 2. This congregation was known for its hard work, perseverance, and commitment to sound doctrine. They resisted false teaching and endured hardship for the sake of Christ. Yet, despite all their outward faithfulness, Jesus identified a critical flaw: they had abandoned their first love. The love that once burned brightly in their hearts for Christ had faded, replaced by routine, duty, and perhaps even pride in their own orthodoxy.

Jesus’ words to Ephesus are both a warning and an invitation. He reminds us that it is possible to do all the right things, to be busy in ministry, to stand for truth, and yet miss the very heart of what it means to follow Him. The danger of spiritual drift is real. Like a plane set on autopilot, we can slowly veer off course without even realizing it, until we find ourselves far from where we intended to be. Jesus calls us to remember the height from which we have fallen, to repent, and to return to the works and the love we had at first.

This is not a call to mere nostalgia, but to a living, vibrant relationship with Christ. He wants our hearts, not just our hands. Our love for Him should be the wellspring from which all our service, obedience, and endurance flow. When we lose sight of this, we risk becoming a loveless church—one that may look impressive on the outside but is hollow within. Jesus’ promise is that if we overcome, if we heed His call and rekindle our first love, we will share in the eternal victory and joy He offers.

The challenge is clear: examine what rivals Christ’s place in your heart. Be honest about where drift has occurred. Remember God’s faithfulness, repent of substitutes, and return to the basics of loving Him above all. This is the foundation on which everything else must be built.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus Knows and Cares Deeply for His Church Christ walks among His churches, holding their leaders in His hand and observing all that happens within. He is never distant or unaware of our struggles, hardships, or needs. This intimate knowledge means that His words of correction come from a place of deep love and concern, not condemnation. We can trust Him to guide us back when we have drifted, knowing He desires our restoration more than our punishment. [21:26]
• 2. Spiritual Drift Is Subtle but Dangerous Like the tragic story of the plane that slowly veered off course, spiritual drift often happens unnoticed. We can be busy, orthodox, and even endure hardship, yet lose sight of our primary love for Christ. The greatest threat is not always heresy or immorality, but the slow replacement of love with routine, duty, or lesser passions. Recognizing and addressing this drift is essential to avoid spiritual disaster. [17:35]
• 3. Love Must Be the Foundation of All We Do Jesus’ critique of Ephesus was not about their lack of activity or truth, but about the absence of love at the center. Obedience and service that do not flow from love are hollow and ultimately unsatisfying to God. When Christ has our hearts, everything else—our obedience, our endurance, our ministry—will follow naturally and with joy. Love is not just a feeling but a commitment to keep Christ first in all things. [29:31]
• 4. Repentance Is a Gift, Not a Punishment Jesus’ call to repent is not a harsh rebuke but a gracious invitation to return to Him. Repentance is the pathway back to intimacy with God, a turning away from substitutes and a running into His welcoming arms. It is a positive, hope-filled word that restores our relationship and renews our passion for Christ. We must not shy away from repentance, but embrace it as the means to spiritual renewal. [34:06]
• 5. Return to the Basics: Remember, Repent, and Return The remedy Jesus gives is simple yet profound: remember the love you had at first, repent of what has taken its place, and return to the works and priorities that marked your early walk with Him. This is not about living in the past, but about recapturing the wonder, joy, and passion of knowing Christ. The basics never grow old; they are the foundation for a vibrant, enduring faith that can withstand any storm. [41:28]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:55] - Gratitude for Mission Support
• [02:08] - Personal Connections and Ephesus Bible Study
• [03:43] - Introduction to “First Love”
• [05:45] - Reading and Praying Over Revelation 2:1-7
• [07:00] - Jesus’ Letter Format and Ephesus Background
• [09:07] - Paul, Timothy, and John’s Influence in Ephesus
• [11:02] - The Centrality of Love in Ephesians
• [13:41] - Seeing Jesus Rightly Before the Church
• [15:07] - The Danger of Spiritual Drift
• [18:26] - Christ as Our Primary Love
• [20:04] - Jesus’ Authority and Presence Among the Churches
• [22:50] - Jesus’ Concern for Our Hearts
• [25:19] - The Fatal Flaw: Abandoning First Love
• [30:17] - Jesus’ Prescription: Remember, Repent, Return
• [35:23] - Identifying Rivals to Our Love for Christ
• [38:32] - The Seriousness of Losing First Love
• [40:27] - The Promise to Overcomers
• [41:28] - Back to Basics: Christ as Our First Love
• [43:22] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Revelation 2:1-7 (ESV) — “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.
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.
I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
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.
Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus’ words in Revelation 2:2-3, what were some of the strengths and positive qualities of the church in Ephesus?
2. What is the “critical flaw” that Jesus points out in the church at Ephesus, and how does He describe it? [26:15]
3. What three actions does Jesus command the church to take in order to return to their first love? (See verse 5 and [30:17])
4. What is the consequence Jesus warns about if the church does not repent and return to their first love? (See verse 5 and [38:32])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus cares so much about the church’s love for Him, even when they are doing so many things right? [29:31]
2. The sermon compares spiritual drift to a plane slowly veering off course. In what ways can spiritual drift happen in a believer’s life or in a church? [17:35]
3. Jesus says, “Repent and do the works you did at first.” What might those “first works” look like for someone who has been a Christian for many years? [36:17]
4. The promise to “the one who conquers” is to eat from the tree of life. What does this promise mean, and how does it connect to the call to return to our first love? [40:27]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that spiritual drift is often subtle and happens without us noticing. Looking at your own life, are there signs that your love for Christ has faded into routine or duty? What are some specific examples? [17:35]
2. Jesus calls us to “remember, repent, and return.” What is one way you can intentionally remember God’s faithfulness to you this week? Is there a specific memory or story you can share with the group? [30:55]
3. The pastor asked, “What rivals your love for Jesus?” Take a moment to honestly identify anything—good or bad—that might be competing for first place in your heart. How can you address this rival in a practical way? [35:23]
4. Repentance was described as a gift and a positive invitation, not a punishment. How does this perspective change the way you think about repentance? Is there something you need to repent of today? [34:06]
5. The church in Ephesus was busy, orthodox, and enduring hardship, but still missed the heart of following Jesus. Are there areas in your life or ministry where you are “doing all the right things” but missing the heart? What would it look like to put love for Christ back at the center? [18:59]
6. The basics of faith—loving God, loving others, sharing the gospel—never grow old. What is one “basic” you want to return to or strengthen in your walk with Christ this month? [41:28]
7. Jesus promises restoration and joy to those who overcome and return to their first love. What is one step you can take this week to rekindle your love for Christ, and how can the group support you in this? [40:27]