Rekindling Our First Love for God and Others

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance in Trials

Despite the challenges and opposition we face, now is not the time to quit. Jesus commended the Ephesians for their hard work and patient endurance, and this is a call for us to persevere in our faith, especially in times of trial. Our endurance is a testament to our faith and commitment to God. When we face difficulties, it is easy to become discouraged and want to give up. However, it is during these times that our faith is tested and strengthened. By enduring through trials, we demonstrate our trust in God's plan and His ability to carry us through any situation.

Endurance is not just about surviving; it is about thriving in the midst of adversity. It is about maintaining our faith, hope, and love even when circumstances are tough. Jesus' message to the Ephesians reminds us that our hard work and perseverance do not go unnoticed. God sees our efforts and is pleased when we remain steadfast in our faith. Let us take heart and continue to press on, knowing that our endurance is a powerful witness to the world of God's faithfulness and our commitment to Him. [01:18]

Hebrews 10:36 (ESV): "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you rely on God's strength to persevere through this trial today?

Day 2: Rekindling Our First Love

Jesus' complaint against the Ephesians was that they had lost their initial love for Him and each other. This is a call for us to examine our hearts and rekindle our love for God and our fellow believers. Love should be the foundation of all our actions and relationships. When we first come to faith, our love for God is often passionate and fervent. However, over time, it is easy for this love to wane as we become distracted by the busyness of life and the challenges we face.

Rekindling our first love involves returning to the basics of our faith—spending time in prayer, reading God's Word, and worshiping Him with all our hearts. It also means loving others as Christ loves us, showing kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. By focusing on our relationship with God and allowing His love to flow through us, we can reignite the passion and fervor we once had. Let us make a conscious effort to prioritize our love for God and others, allowing it to be the driving force behind all we do. [02:12]

1 John 4:19-21 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with God. What steps can you take today to rekindle your love for Him and others?

Day 3: Embracing God's Eternal Love

God's love for us existed even before the creation of the world. This eternal love is not based on our merit but on His grace. Recognizing this can transform our perspective and help us live in the assurance of His love and plan for our lives. Understanding that God's love is eternal and unchanging provides a solid foundation for our faith. It means that no matter what we do or how we fail, His love for us remains constant.

This eternal love is a gift of grace, not something we can earn or deserve. It is a reflection of God's character and His desire to have a relationship with us. When we fully grasp the depth and breadth of God's love, it changes how we see ourselves and others. We can live with confidence, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator. This assurance allows us to extend grace and love to others, reflecting God's love in our interactions and relationships. [24:08]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does knowing that God's love for you is eternal and unchanging impact your daily life and interactions with others?

Day 4: Living Out Our Identity in Christ

We are adopted as sons and daughters of God, with all the rights and privileges of natural-born children. This identity is crucial in combating the confusion and lies of the enemy, especially in today's culture. Embracing our identity in Christ brings confidence and security. In a world that often tries to define us by our achievements, failures, or societal standards, it is essential to remember who we are in Christ. Our identity as God's children is not based on what we do but on who He is and what He has done for us.

Living out our identity in Christ means recognizing that we are loved, accepted, and valued by God. It means understanding that we have a purpose and a calling that goes beyond our earthly circumstances. This identity gives us the strength to stand firm against the lies and attacks of the enemy, knowing that we are secure in God's love and grace. Let us embrace our identity as sons and daughters of God, living with the confidence and assurance that comes from being part of His family. [34:04]

Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV): "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ today, especially when faced with challenges or doubts?

Day 5: Keeping Our Focus on God

It's easy to get distracted by what others are doing, especially during worship. However, our focus should be on God and our relationship with Him. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can better live out His love and avoid unnecessary distractions and offenses. In a world filled with distractions and noise, it is crucial to maintain our focus on God. When we allow ourselves to be sidetracked by the actions or opinions of others, we lose sight of what truly matters—our relationship with God.

Focusing on God means prioritizing our time with Him, seeking His guidance, and aligning our actions with His will. It involves tuning out the distractions and noise around us and centering our hearts and minds on Jesus. By doing so, we can experience a deeper connection with God and live out His love more effectively. Let us make a conscious effort to keep our focus on God, allowing His presence to guide and sustain us in all we do. [38:54]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to keep your focus on God, especially during times of worship and prayer?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into Revelation 2:1-5, focusing on the theme of returning to our first love and understanding God's love. Jesus' message to the church in Ephesus was a call to rekindle their love for Him and for each other. Despite their hard work and endurance, they had lost their initial fervor. This message is highly relevant today as many believers face challenges that make them want to quit. Jesus' complaint against the Ephesians was that they no longer loved Him or each other as they did at first. This lack of love is often manifested in the spirit of offense that has infiltrated many churches.

We explored the historical and cultural context of Ephesus, a major commercial hub comparable to modern-day New York City, filled with idolatry, sorcery, and false teachings. Despite these challenges, Paul’s ministry in Ephesus led to a significant revival. He found 12 believers, baptized them in the Holy Spirit, and taught them daily, resulting in widespread transformation. This historical backdrop serves as a powerful reminder that God can bring revival even in the most challenging environments.

The core of Paul's message in Ephesus was unity and love, as seen in the book of Ephesians. Each chapter emphasizes different aspects of love—understanding God's love, walking in love, unity in love, and speaking the truth in love. Jesus' call to return to our first love is a call to live out these principles. Understanding God's eternal love for us, recognizing that we were chosen before the creation of the world, and embracing our identity as His children are crucial steps in living out this love.

We also touched on the importance of focusing on our relationship with God rather than being distracted by others' actions. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can better live out His love and bring about transformation in our communities.

###

Key Takeaways

1. rM&t=78s'>[01:18]
2. Returning to Our First Love: Jesus' complaint against the Ephesians was that they had lost their initial love for Him and each other. This is a call for us to examine our hearts and rekindle our love for God and our fellow believers. Love should be the foundation of all our actions and relationships.

3. Understanding God's Eternal Love: God's love for us existed even before the creation of the world. This eternal love is not based on our merit but on His grace. Recognizing this can transform our perspective and help us live in the assurance of His love and plan for our lives.

4. Embracing Our Identity in Christ: We are adopted as sons and daughters of God, with all the rights and privileges of natural-born children. This identity is crucial in combating the confusion and lies of the enemy, especially in today's culture. Embracing our identity in Christ brings confidence and security.

5. Focus on God, Not Others: It's easy to get distracted by what others are doing, especially during worship. However, our focus should be on God and our relationship with Him. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can better live out His love and avoid unnecessary distractions and offenses.

### [01:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:18] - Endurance in Faith
[02:12] - Returning to Our First Love
[03:29] - Spirit of Offense in the Church
[04:52] - Historical Context of Ephesus
[05:55] - Ephesus: A Major Commercial Hub
[06:36] - Idolatry and Sorcery in Ephesus
[09:19] - Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
[12:19] - Baptism in the Holy Spirit
[13:21] - Revival in Ephesus
[14:03] - Teaching in the Marketplace
[15:44] - Impact of Paul's Ministry
[18:10] - Extraordinary Miracles
[19:18] - Confession and Repentance
[20:43] - Emotional Farewell to Paul
[21:44] - Theme of Love in Ephesians
[22:57] - Living in God's Love
[24:08] - Chosen Before Creation
[29:04] - Predestined in Love
[34:04] - Adopted as Sons and Daughters
[36:06] - Embracing Our Identity
[38:54] - Focus on God, Not Others

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the commendable qualities of the church in Ephesus according to Revelation 2:2-3? [01:18]
What was Jesus' main complaint against the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:4? [02:12]
How did the city of Ephesus compare to a modern-day city, and what were some of its spiritual challenges? [05:55]
What significant event happened in Acts 19:19, and what does it reveal about the transformation in Ephesus? [09:59]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that Jesus commended the Ephesians for their hard work and endurance before addressing their lack of love? How does this apply to our own spiritual lives? [01:18]
What does it mean to "return to your first love," and why is this important for believers today? [02:12]
How does understanding that God chose us before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5) impact our identity and relationship with Him? [24:08]
In what ways can the spirit of offense infiltrate a church, and how can believers guard against it? [03:29]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like quitting in your faith journey. What helped you endure, and how can you apply that experience to current challenges? [01:18]
Examine your current relationship with God and others. Are there areas where your love has grown cold? What steps can you take to rekindle that love? [02:12]
How does recognizing God's eternal love for you, even before the creation of the world, change your perspective on your worth and purpose? [24:08]
Think about your identity in Christ as an adopted son or daughter of God. How does this identity provide confidence and security in your daily life? [34:04]
Identify a specific distraction that prevents you from focusing on God during worship. What practical steps can you take to minimize this distraction? [38:54]
How can you contribute to fostering unity and love within your church community, especially in the face of offenses and misunderstandings? [03:29]
Consider the historical context of Ephesus and the revival that took place there. What lessons can you draw from Paul's ministry in Ephesus to apply in your own community? [09:19]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "If you're here this morning, that means that you've gone through a lot. If you didn't quit then, don't quit now. And I don't mind if you talk back to me." [01:18] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Now's not the time to quit. Can someone say amen? If you're here this morning, that means that you've gone through a lot. If you didn't quit then, don't quit now." [01:18] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We need to understand God's love. So that we can live in that love. And I'm telling you, church, we start living in that love. We're going to be focused more on what God is doing in me versus what God is not doing in others." [37:01] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Embrace your identity as a child of God. Because when you embrace that identity, then all the privileges and responsibilities that come as a child of God are yours. Now you can take hold of that promise. The Bible says that his promises are yes and amen." [36:06] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God loves you from the very beginning, even before he spoke, let there be light. He loved you. He had you in his heart." [26:34] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When you look at this verse, you don't love me or you don't love each other. There is something going on in the church today. It doesn't matter what church you want to go to, here or anywhere else. But there is a spirit of offense that has come into the church. People are getting offended for no reason." [02:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What are we doing to tell others about what Jesus has done in our lives? Well, I'm telling you, watch it. If the youth, which I believe they will, they go out there and they just become living epistles that people read who they are now. See what happens." [15:44] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So the question I had for myself then is, what is the message that Paul had that brought such a great revival in Ephesus? And when he was done, as he's leaving, all the people there that were saying goodbye to him, they were all crying. What did he preach? Thank you for asking. When you look at the book of Ephesus. Again, this is the one that Jesus. We need to go back to John about, we need to go back then to Ephesus. What was the theme in the book of Ephesus? It can be summed up in two words, unity and love." [20:43] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So don't tell me that speaking in tongues is not for today. No, the thought is still out there. I'm telling you, it's for today. It's for this church. It's for this community. If God sent Paul to meet those 12, they got baptized and they spoke in tongues. And then you'll see in a few minutes, a revival took place. Well, God can do the same thing. He's the same yesterday. Today. And forever." [13:21] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So the application here at church is very simple. Embrace your identity as a child of God. Because when you embrace that identity, then all the privileges and responsibilities that come as a child of God are yours. Now you can take hold of that promise. The Bible says that his promises are yes and amen." [36:06] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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