Remember, Repent, Return: Rekindling Our First Love
Summary
### Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound message found in the letter to the church in Ephesus from Revelation 2. This letter follows a structure similar to the Oreo method of feedback, starting and ending with positive affirmations while addressing a critical issue in the middle. Jesus commends the church for their perseverance and discernment but points out a significant flaw: they have abandoned their first love. The solution Jesus offers is threefold: remember, repent, and return.
First, we are called to remember. This act of remembering is crucial in our spiritual journey. It involves recalling the initial fervor and love we had when we first encountered Christ. The Bible is filled with instances where God’s people are urged to remember His mighty works and faithfulness. This remembrance helps us realign our motivations and ensures that our actions are rooted in love.
Second, we are called to repent. Repentance is more than just turning away from sin; it involves a transformation of the mind and heart. It is a return to the love that is central to our faith. Without love, our actions, no matter how righteous they appear, are empty. True repentance brings us back to the foot of the cross, where we experience the depth of Christ’s love and are empowered to extend that love to others.
Finally, we are called to return. This means going back to the works we did at first, driven by the love we initially had. It’s a call to action, to live out our faith in tangible ways that reflect our love for God and our neighbors. The promise for those who overcome is eternal life, symbolized by the tree of life in the new Jerusalem.
As we reflect on these instructions, we are reminded of the importance of love in our spiritual lives. Love that is remembered and acted upon is love that remains strong. May we continually remember, repent, and return to our first love, ensuring that our actions are always motivated by the love of Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Remembering: Remembering our initial love and fervor for Christ is crucial. It helps us realign our motivations and ensures that our actions are rooted in genuine love. Forgetting God's past works can lead to spiritual complacency. [05:01]
2. True Repentance: Repentance involves a transformation of the mind and heart. It’s not just about turning away from sin but returning to the love that is central to our faith. Without love, our righteous actions are empty. [08:20]
3. Returning to First Works: We are called to return to the works we did at first, driven by the love we initially had. This means living out our faith in tangible ways that reflect our love for God and our neighbors. [11:55]
4. The Link Between Love of God and Neighbor: Jesus emphasized that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbors. These two are inextricably linked, and our spiritual health depends on maintaining both. [10:33]
5. The Promise of Eternal Life: For those who remember, repent, and return, Jesus promises eternal life, symbolized by the tree of life in the new Jerusalem. This promise encourages us to persevere in love and good works. [11:55]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - Introduction to the Oreo Method
[02:02] - Structure of the Letters to the Churches
[02:46] - The Problem in Ephesus
[03:37] - Background on Ephesus
[04:18] - Importance of Remembering
[05:01] - Biblical Examples of Remembering
[06:23] - Doing Right but Missing the Heart
[07:03] - The Call to Repent
[08:20] - Understanding True Repentance
[09:03] - Love as Central to Repentance
[09:45] - The Importance of Love
[10:33] - Love of God and Neighbor
[11:55] - Returning to First Works
[13:33] - Personal Reflection on Remembering
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Revelation 2:1-7
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
- Matthew 22:37-40
#### Observation Questions
1. What commendations does Jesus give to the church in Ephesus before addressing their main issue? [02:02]
2. According to Revelation 2:4, what significant flaw does Jesus point out in the church of Ephesus?
3. What three actions does Jesus instruct the church in Ephesus to take in Revelation 2:5?
4. How does Paul describe the importance of love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? [07:03]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is remembering our initial love and fervor for Christ crucial in our spiritual journey? [05:01]
2. How does true repentance involve more than just turning away from sin, according to the sermon? [08:20]
3. What does it mean to return to the works we did at first, and how does this reflect our love for God and our neighbors? [11:55]
4. How are the love of God and the love of our neighbors inextricably linked, as explained in the sermon? [10:33]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the most fervent in your love for Christ. What specific actions or practices helped you maintain that fervor? How can you incorporate those practices into your life now? [05:01]
2. In what areas of your life do you need to experience true repentance? How can you ensure that your actions are motivated by genuine love rather than obligation? [08:20]
3. Think about the works you did when you first became a Christian. How can you return to those actions in a way that reflects your love for God and your neighbors? [11:55]
4. How can you practically show love to your neighbors this week? Identify one specific action you can take to demonstrate this love. [10:33]
5. Jesus promises eternal life to those who remember, repent, and return. How does this promise encourage you to persevere in love and good works? [11:55]
6. Consider the importance of love in your daily interactions. How can you ensure that your motivations are rooted in love, especially in challenging situations? [09:45]
7. Reflect on the statement, "Love that is remembered is love that stays strong." How can you make a habit of remembering God's love and faithfulness in your life? [13:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Remembering Our First Love
Description: Remembering our initial love and fervor for Christ is crucial. It helps us realign our motivations and ensures that our actions are rooted in genuine love. Forgetting God's past works can lead to spiritual complacency. The act of remembering is not just a mental exercise but a spiritual discipline that keeps our hearts tender and responsive to God's leading. By recalling the moments when we first encountered Christ, we can reignite the passion and commitment that may have waned over time. This remembrance is a powerful tool to combat spiritual dryness and to keep our faith vibrant and alive. [05:01]
Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV): "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."
Reflection: Think back to the moment you first felt the love of Christ. How can you bring that same passion into your daily walk with Him today?
Day 2: True Repentance
Description: Repentance involves a transformation of the mind and heart. It’s not just about turning away from sin but returning to the love that is central to our faith. Without love, our righteous actions are empty. True repentance is a deep, heartfelt change that goes beyond mere behavior modification. It is about aligning our hearts with God's heart, allowing His love to transform us from the inside out. This kind of repentance leads to genuine change and a renewed sense of purpose in our spiritual journey. [08:20]
Joel 2:13 (ESV): "And rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to experience true repentance? How can you invite God's love to transform that area today?
Day 3: Returning to First Works
Description: We are called to return to the works we did at first, driven by the love we initially had. This means living out our faith in tangible ways that reflect our love for God and our neighbors. Returning to our first works is about rekindling the actions and commitments that marked the beginning of our faith journey. These actions, motivated by love, are essential for maintaining a vibrant and impactful Christian life. By revisiting these foundational practices, we can ensure that our faith remains active and alive. [11:55]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: What were some of the first works you did when you came to faith? How can you reintroduce these practices into your life today?
Day 4: The Link Between Love of God and Neighbor
Description: Jesus emphasized that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbors. These two are inextricably linked, and our spiritual health depends on maintaining both. Loving God and loving our neighbor are not separate commands but two sides of the same coin. Our love for God is demonstrated through our love for others, and our love for others is a reflection of our love for God. This interconnectedness is crucial for a holistic and healthy spiritual life. [10:33]
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "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: How can you show love to a neighbor or someone in your community today as an expression of your love for God?
Day 5: The Promise of Eternal Life
Description: For those who remember, repent, and return, Jesus promises eternal life, symbolized by the tree of life in the new Jerusalem. This promise encourages us to persevere in love and good works. The assurance of eternal life is a powerful motivator for living a life of love and faithfulness. It reminds us that our efforts are not in vain and that there is a glorious future awaiting those who remain steadfast in their love for Christ. This promise is a source of hope and encouragement, inspiring us to continue in our spiritual journey with joy and anticipation. [11:55]
Revelation 22:14 (ESV): "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates."
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life influence your daily actions and decisions? What can you do today to live in light of this promise?
Quotes
1. "The Oreo method has been helpful both in leadership and in marriage. And as we look today in the book of Revelation, what we see is the letters to the seven churches actually follow this same plan. They follow an Oreo-like plan because the way Jesus begins each one of these letters to the churches is he says, I know you. And then he begins to say the things that the church is doing correctly. He compliments them. And then it shifts. In our passage today, verse 4. And then he says, but this I have against you. That's the bad part." [02:02] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. So the problem is, they've abandoned their first love. And the solution is to remember, to repent, and to return. To remember, to repent, and to return. So I want to look at this passage through the lens of those three instructions." [02:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "This work of remembering is very important in the body of Christ. We are called as the people of God to remember all that God has done in our lives. And if you read the Old Testament, you know that God's people get in an awful lot of trouble when they lose trust in God. They lose track of the works of God. In fact, so much so that he tells them to build memorials, to stack rocks, to remind themselves of what God has done." [05:01] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Remembering is crucial because here's what we learn from the church in Ephesus. You can do many things right and miss the most important thing. Think about that. You can do many things right. If you look at verses two and three, what Jesus says to the church in Ephesus is, you have patient endurance. You're not growing weary. You root out false teachers. In fact, you hate the Nicolaitans and he does too. We don't know who the Nicolaitans are. They're false teachers." [06:23] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Isn't it easy to get the external right and have the motivation wrong? It's very hard not to just work hard and do the works and forget about the motivations of our hearts. That's what remembering is about. Remembering is getting to the root of the why. Why we do what we do. Paul said it like this in 1 Corinthians 13. He said, though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I'm a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal." [07:03] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The Greek word metanoia, we often hear it taught that it means to turn around, but it really means to change our minds. It's a change of understanding. And in this repentance, we are being reminded that love is that important. Do you see what I mean? We can do the right things, but this repentance is about saying, if we do it for the wrong reasons, it becomes wrong. And so we repent, we return to the Lord. And in that repentance, we fling ourselves on the mercy of Jesus Christ at the cross." [08:20] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You and I understand love because of the cross. We gain the gift of love by Jesus' sacrifice. There's a prayer in the prayer book that says, blessed savior, you stretched out your arms of love on the hardwood of the cross, that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace. And then the second part of the prayer says this, clothe us with your love, that we reaching forth our hands in love may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you." [09:03] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We understand that it is important. And yet what Jesus is saying to the church in Ephesus is without it, he's closing the operation down. That's important for us to hear. You see, we're called to understand and to love one another. And when we hear that they've abandoned the love they had at first, the question may arise in our minds, is he talking about the love of God, the relationship with Christ, the love of God, and for what? God? Or is he talking about the way the church in Ephesus served their neighbors? We don't know the answer, but I would say both are inextricably linked together." [09:45] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Remember back to when you were first a Christian, when you first came alive in Christ, when you first knew the glory of salvation. How did you share? How often did you talk about Jesus? How did you give? How did you serve? What we're being told to do is to go back to that place, to remember it, and then do those works. In fact, the doing of those works is important to the life and ministry of the church. It's not that we should not do it, but it should be motivated by love." [11:55] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Love that is remembered is love that stays strong. Let me remind you of that. Love that is remembered is love that stays strong. So may we remember. God's love for us and may we be strong as we serve others. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." [13:33] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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