Return to First Love: Embracing God's Vision

Devotional

Day 1: The Power and Priority of First Love

The true mark of a follower of Jesus is not just right doctrine, hard work, or religious activity, but a heart burning with first love—a surrendered, trusting, and passionate love for God and others that overflows into every relationship and action. When love fades, even the best works and purest beliefs lose their power, but when love is rekindled, everything changes from the inside out. The call is to return to that place where loving God and loving one another is enough, where the fire of love is the driving force of our lives, and where we refuse to let offense, disappointment, or busyness separate us from the source of all true life. [45:46]

1 John 4:7-12 (ESV)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Reflection: Who in your life today needs to experience the love of God through you—especially someone you find difficult to love? How can you take a concrete step to show them Christlike love?

Day 2: Surrendering Our Vision for God’s Vision

One of the greatest obstacles to living in first love is clinging to our own ideas, expectations, and timelines for our lives, rather than surrendering to God’s vision, way, and timing. Like Peter, we often have our own plans for how things should go, but Jesus calls us to trust Him even when His way is different, His timing is slower, or His priorities don’t match ours. True love and trust are found in laying down our will, letting go of entitlement or disappointment, and saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” believing that God’s plan is always good—even when it costs us more than we expected. [01:13:54]

Luke 22:41-42 (ESV)
And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to surrender your own vision or expectations to God? What would it look like to trust His way and timing today?

Day 3: The Fire of God’s Love—A Gift of the Holy Spirit

We cannot love God or others in our own strength; it takes God to love God. The Holy Spirit pours the very love of the Father into our hearts, making us new creations and empowering us to love with a supernatural, consuming fire. This love is not a small spark but an ocean of holy fire, the same love the Father has for the Son, now burning in us. When we rely on the Spirit and let Him fill us afresh, we find the power to forgive, to serve, to endure, and to love extravagantly, even when it seems impossible. [01:18:07]

Romans 5:5 (ESV)
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Reflection: Have you been trying to love God or others in your own strength? Ask the Holy Spirit today to fill you afresh with God’s love and notice how that changes your attitude and actions.

Day 4: Returning to First Love Through Repentance and Trust

When our love grows cold, the way back is simple but not always easy: honest repentance and a fresh surrender to God’s vision for our lives. It means recognizing where we’ve let disappointment, offense, or distraction pull us away from intimacy with God, and choosing to lay down our pride, our hurts, and our own plans at His feet. As we repent and trust Him again, He restores the joy of our salvation, rekindles the fire of first love, and gives us the grace to walk in obedience—no matter the cost or delay. [01:36:10]

Revelation 2:2-5 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection: Is there an area where you need to repent for loving your own vision or comfort more than God? Take a moment to surrender it to Him and ask for restored joy and intimacy.

Day 5: Guarding Love and Living Offense-Free

To keep the fire of first love burning, we must guard our hearts against offense, bitterness, and unforgiveness—especially toward those closest to us. Offense is costly; it separates us from the flow of God’s love and hinders His work in and through us. The call is to deal quickly with hurts, to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to pursue reconciliation so that nothing stands between us and the love of God. As we do, the fire of love will not only burn in our hearts but will spread to our homes, our church, and our community. [01:44:20]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Reflection: Is there anyone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from today? What step can you take to clear away offense and let the fire of God’s love burn unhindered in your heart?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a family to remember the holiness and majesty of God, joining our voices with the saints and angels in worship. We reflected on the reality that worship in heaven is not a quiet, reserved affair, but a thunderous, passionate eruption of praise. In the presence of God, we are invited to bring our whole selves—our mess, our confusion, our pain—and let Him do the work of cleaning and restoring us. We are not called to a polished, religious performance, but to the raw, honest culture of heaven, where God’s love meets us in our need.

We looked at the life of the Apostle John, a man who outlived his peers and saw the church through its birth, struggles, and growth. John’s message, distilled after a century of walking with Jesus, was simple yet profound: “Little children, love one another. If only this is done, it is enough.” John’s life and writings remind us that love is the true marker of a follower of Jesus—not just right doctrine, not just good works, but a heart surrendered to God’s vision and filled with His love.

We explored the story of Peter, a man full of zeal and revelation, yet who struggled to surrender his own vision for his life to God’s will. Peter’s journey shows us that disappointment and unmet expectations can dim the fire of love in our hearts, leading us to busyness, offense, or even walking away from first love. Jesus’ restoration of Peter was not about more work or better doctrine, but about returning to love—“Do you love me?”—and surrendering to God’s vision, even when it costs us everything.

The call today is to return to first love. Whether you are burning with passion or feeling dull and disappointed, God invites you to lay down your own vision, your disappointments, your offenses, and trust His leadership. The love that God pours into our hearts by the Holy Spirit is not a small flame, but a consuming fire—the very love the Father has for the Son. This love empowers us to forgive, to serve, to endure, and to trust God’s timing, ways, and priorities above our own. The cost of first love may increase as we journey on, but it is always worth it. If all we do is love one another, it is enough.

Key Takeaways

1. True worship is not about religious performance or polished appearances, but about bringing our whole selves—mess and all—before a holy God. The culture of heaven is passionate, honest, and loud, inviting us to let go of self-consciousness and embrace the reality of God’s presence. When we worship with abandon, we join a much greater chorus that transcends our own circumstances. [26:02]
2. The life and message of the Apostle John teach us that love is the ultimate test of genuine faith. After a lifetime of ministry, John’s wisdom was distilled to a single command: “Love one another.” This is not sentimentalism, but a call to radical, sacrificial love that reflects the very heart of God and marks us as true followers of Jesus. [45:13]
3. Surrendered obedience is the seedbed of love. Like Peter, we often have our own ideas about how life should go, but God’s ways, timing, and priorities are often different from ours. Disappointment and unmet expectations can lead us away from first love, but true surrender means trusting God’s vision for our lives—even when it costs us our dreams, comfort, or reputation. [52:28]
4. The love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit is not something we can manufacture; it is a supernatural gift. This love is fierce, consuming, and empowering—it enables us to forgive, to endure suffering, and to serve beyond our natural capacity. Yet, it is possible to leave this first love, not by accident, but by choosing other priorities or holding on to offense and disappointment. [78:07]
5. Returning to first love is a deliberate act of repentance and surrender. It means laying down our own vision, forgiving those who have hurt us, and trusting God’s leadership even when we do not understand. The cost of first love may increase with time, but the fire of God’s love is what sustains us, unites us, and empowers us to be salt and light in the world. If we love one another, it is enough. [96:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:02] - Entering the Worship of Heaven
[26:48] - The Culture of Heaven vs. Religion
[28:24] - Bringing Our Mess to God
[29:37] - Breathing in God’s Grace
[30:01] - Psalm 73: Finding Clarity in God’s Presence
[38:11] - The Life and Legacy of the Apostle John
[45:05] - John’s Final Message: Love One Another
[47:32] - The Fading of Love and the Challenge of Relationships
[49:15] - John’s Two Great Themes: Jesus and Love
[52:28] - Peter’s Story: Surrendering Our Vision
[56:13] - The Heart Issues of Christian Leaders
[59:02] - Peter’s Expectations vs. God’s Plan
[69:01] - Surrendered Obedience and First Love
[78:07] - The Supernatural Love of God
[87:05] - Remembering the Fire of First Love
[91:30] - The Call to Return: Guarding and Restoring Love
[96:01] - How to Return to First Love
[104:20] - Final Exhortation: Love Is Enough
[105:13] - Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 21:15-19 (ESV) — > When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

2. 1 John 4:7-12 (ESV)
> Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

3. Revelation 2:2-5 (ESV)
> “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.”

Observation Questions

In John 21, what question does Jesus repeatedly ask Peter, and how does Peter respond each time? What does Jesus command Peter to do after each response?
According to 1 John 4, where does love come from, and what is the evidence that someone truly knows God?
In Revelation 2, what does Jesus commend the church in Ephesus for, and what does he have against them? What does he call them to do in response?
According to the sermon, what was the main message that the Apostle John repeated at the end of his life, and why did he say it was enough?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus focused on asking Peter about his love rather than his knowledge, abilities, or past failures? What does this reveal about what Jesus values most in his followers?
The sermon described how John’s message after a lifetime of ministry was simply “love one another.” Why might this be considered the ultimate test of genuine faith, even above right doctrine or good works?
The church in Ephesus was praised for their hard work and right doctrine, but Jesus said they had left their first love. What are some ways that Christians today might fall into the same trap?
The sermon talked about Peter’s struggle to surrender his own vision for his life to God’s will. How can disappointment or unmet expectations affect our relationship with God and our ability to love others?

Application Questions

The sermon said that true worship is not about religious performance or polished appearances, but about bringing our whole selves—mess and all—before God. Is there any area of your life you tend to hide or “polish up” before God or others? What would it look like to bring your real self to God in worship this week?
John’s message was “Little children, love one another. If only this is done, it is enough.” Who in your life is hardest for you to love right now? What is one step you could take this week to show them love, even if it’s costly or uncomfortable?
The sermon described how disappointment and unmet expectations can dim the fire of love in our hearts, leading us to busyness, offense, or walking away from first love. Can you identify a specific disappointment or unmet expectation that has affected your relationship with God or others? How might you surrender that to God?
Jesus restored Peter by calling him back to love and surrender, not by giving him more work or better doctrine. Is there an area where you have been focusing on “doing” for God rather than “loving” God? What would it look like to shift your focus?
The sermon said that the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit is a supernatural gift, not something we can manufacture. Have you ever tried to “force” yourself to love or forgive someone? How might you invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with God’s love instead?
Returning to first love is a deliberate act of repentance and surrender. Is there a specific area where you need to lay down your own vision, forgive someone, or trust God’s leadership? What is one practical step you can take this week to do that?
The cost of first love may increase as we journey on, but it is always worth it. What is one thing you are afraid it might “cost” you to follow Jesus with first love? How can you trust God with that fear?

Sermon Clips

If only you love one another, that's enough. That's pretty wild. Here's a guy who's lived nearly a century, maybe more than a century, seen it all, outlived everybody, he's been with the risen Christ and walked with Christ in the flesh on the earth during his ministry, he's seen the whole thing, and he says, if you just love one another, that'll be enough. [00:45:48] (28 seconds) #LoveIsEnoughLegacy

What God's vision is for John's life is for John. What God's vision is for your life is for you. You follow me and let John follow God's vision for his life. Let John follow God. But you follow the vision that God has for you. [00:53:46] (19 seconds) #FollowYourGodGivenVision

Nothing will take your heart out faster than going down the road with God and starting to get into disappointment because what he's doing in your life, you don't like it. And then all of a sudden you start to pull away from God because why? I don't know if I can trust you. [01:09:07] (15 seconds) #TrustThroughDisappointment

Why? Because you trusted him completely. Because he rescued you at your lowest, when nobody else would help you or could help you, and there was God. There was God. And a bonfire of love was in your chest, and it didn't matter the cost. [01:27:34] (16 seconds) #RescuedByDivineLove

How do we get back to first love? How do we return to that place we've left because of mistrust with God? Or compromise? Or because we got distracted with trying to make this career happen and bear down on success and take advantage of our talent or our ability? How do we get back to first love? It's very simple. You repent and say, God, I'm sorry for you. I'm sorry that I've loved my vision for my life more than you. And I surrender to whatever you have for me. I'm going to trust you. [01:35:42] (28 seconds) #ReturnToFirstLove

If all you do is love each other, it's enough. Love one another. Do not hold on to offenses. Don't let it go 24 hours and say, well, I'll deal with it later. Or I don't want to go to them and talk to them because it'll make it worse. No. Let's go to each other and deal with stuff so that the fire of love can burn in our hearts. Because if it doesn't burn here, it won't burn in the city. [01:44:20] (24 seconds) #LoveHealsOffenses

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