Returning to Our First Love in Christ
Summary
In Revelation 2, Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus, commending them for their perseverance and discernment but also pointing out a significant flaw: they have abandoned their first love. This message is a call to return to the simplicity and purity of their initial devotion to Christ. It's a reminder that our relationship with Jesus should not be reduced to a checklist of religious duties but should be a vibrant, living connection that influences every aspect of our lives. Jesus invites us to remember where we have fallen, repent, and return to the works we did at first, which are the natural outflow of a heart in love with Him.
The concept of "first works" is not about performing tasks to earn favor but about living in response to the love and grace we have received. When we stray from this simplicity, we risk fabricating a religious life that lacks the joy and spontaneity of a genuine relationship with God. Jesus also warns against Nicolaitanism, a mindset that creates a hierarchy within the church, separating clergy from laity. This division is contrary to the kingdom of God, where authority is about serving others, not ruling over them.
Every believer is called to ministry, not just those in leadership positions. The gifts and callings of God are diverse, and each person has a unique role to play in the body of Christ. We must resist the temptation to compare ourselves to others or to believe that we are not qualified to be used by God. Jesus desires to work through each of us, regardless of our perceived inadequacies. The abundant life He offers is found in the simplicity of loving Him and allowing His love to flow through us to others.
Key Takeaways:
- Return to First Love: Our relationship with Jesus should be characterized by the same passion and devotion we had when we first believed. It's not about religious duties but about a genuine connection with Him that transforms our lives. [06:13]
- Simplicity in Christ: The Christian life is about knowing and loving Jesus, not about adhering to a set of rules. When we focus on our relationship with Him, our actions naturally align with His will. [07:46]
- Rejecting Hierarchies: In the kingdom of God, there is no division between clergy and laity. Every believer is called to serve and minister, and true authority is found in humility and service. [12:17]
- Embrace Your Unique Calling: God has gifted each of us uniquely, and we are all called to participate in His work. We must resist the lie that we are not good enough and step into the roles He has prepared for us. [20:12]
- Perfection is Not Required: Jesus does not wait for us to be perfect before He uses us. He delights in working through our weaknesses to demonstrate His power and grace. [31:11]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Reading from Revelation 2
[03:19] - Commendation and Correction
[06:13] - Returning to First Love
[07:46] - Simplicity of First Works
[10:31] - Understanding Nicolaitanism
[12:17] - Authority in the Kingdom
[14:16] - Embracing Your Unique Calling
[16:26] - Vision for the Church
[18:48] - The Role of Every Believer
[20:12] - Rejecting the Lie of Inadequacy
[22:23] - Taking Ownership of Spiritual Growth
[24:25] - Diversity in Ministry
[26:38] - Being Yourself in Christ
[31:11] - Perfection is Not Required
[33:32] - The Simplicity of Loving Jesus
[37:52] - Pouring Out and Being Filled
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Revelation 2:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. What commendations does Jesus give to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2, and what is the significant flaw He points out? [01:03]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "first works" in relation to our love for Christ? [07:46]
3. What is Nicolaitanism, and why does Jesus express His hatred for it? [10:31]
4. According to the sermon, what is the role of every believer in the church, and how does it contrast with the idea of a clergy-laity divide? [12:17]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call to "return to your first love" challenge the way believers might currently approach their relationship with Jesus? [06:13]
2. In what ways might believers today be tempted to fabricate a religious life rather than living out of a genuine relationship with Christ? [07:46]
3. How does the sermon suggest that authority in the kingdom of God differs from authority in the world, and what implications does this have for church leadership? [12:17]
4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of comparing oneself to others in the context of spiritual gifts and callings? [20:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. Are there areas where you feel you have drifted from your "first love"? What steps can you take to rekindle that passion? [06:13]
2. Consider your daily walk with Christ. Are there ways in which you have been living a checklist Christianity rather than a vibrant relationship? How can you shift your focus back to a genuine connection with Him? [07:46]
3. How can you actively resist the mindset of Nicolaitanism in your church community, ensuring that you and others are not creating unnecessary hierarchies? [10:31]
4. Identify a unique gift or calling you believe God has given you. How can you begin to step into that role more fully, despite any feelings of inadequacy? [20:12]
5. Think about a time when you felt unqualified to serve in a ministry role. How can you embrace the truth that Jesus does not require perfection before He uses you? [31:11]
6. In what ways can you encourage others in your church to recognize and use their spiritual gifts, fostering a community where everyone is actively participating in ministry? [22:23]
7. Reflect on your personal spiritual growth. What practical steps can you take to take ownership of your spiritual journey and become a reproducing follower of Jesus? [22:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Rekindling Our First Love
Our relationship with Jesus should be characterized by the same passion and devotion we had when we first believed. This is not about fulfilling religious duties but about maintaining a genuine connection with Him that transforms our lives. Over time, it's easy to let the initial fervor fade, replaced by routine and obligation. Jesus calls us to remember the love we had at first, to repent, and to return to the works that naturally flow from a heart in love with Him. This return to our first love is a call to simplicity and authenticity in our walk with Christ, where our actions are motivated by love rather than duty. [06:13]
"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." (Revelation 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when your love for Jesus was most vibrant. What specific practices or attitudes can you reintroduce into your life today to rekindle that passion?
Day 2: Embracing Simplicity in Christ
The Christian life is about knowing and loving Jesus, not about adhering to a set of rules. When we focus on our relationship with Him, our actions naturally align with His will. This simplicity in Christ means living in response to the love and grace we have received, rather than striving to earn favor through religious tasks. When we stray from this simplicity, we risk creating a religious life that lacks the joy and spontaneity of a genuine relationship with God. Jesus invites us to live in the freedom of His love, where our actions are a natural outflow of our connection with Him. [07:46]
"For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder." (2 Corinthians 12:20, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel burdened by religious obligation. How can you shift your focus to simply loving Jesus in that area today?
Day 3: Rejecting Hierarchies in the Kingdom
In the kingdom of God, there is no division between clergy and laity. Every believer is called to serve and minister, and true authority is found in humility and service. Jesus warns against Nicolaitanism, a mindset that creates a hierarchy within the church, separating clergy from laity. This division is contrary to the kingdom of God, where authority is about serving others, not ruling over them. Every believer has a unique role to play in the body of Christ, and we are all called to participate in His work. [12:17]
"But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.'" (Matthew 20:25-26, ESV)
Reflection: Consider how you view leadership and service in your church community. How can you embody the servant leadership that Jesus exemplifies in your interactions this week?
Day 4: Embracing Your Unique Calling
God has gifted each of us uniquely, and we are all called to participate in His work. We must resist the lie that we are not good enough and step into the roles He has prepared for us. Every believer is called to ministry, not just those in leadership positions. The gifts and callings of God are diverse, and each person has a unique role to play in the body of Christ. Jesus desires to work through each of us, regardless of our perceived inadequacies. The abundant life He offers is found in the simplicity of loving Him and allowing His love to flow through us to others. [20:12]
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:6-8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the unique gifts God has given you. How can you use one of these gifts to serve others in your community this week?
Day 5: Perfection is Not Required
Jesus does not wait for us to be perfect before He uses us. He delights in working through our weaknesses to demonstrate His power and grace. The Christian journey is not about achieving perfection but about allowing Jesus to work through our imperfections. When we embrace our weaknesses, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His grace. Jesus invites us to trust Him with our inadequacies, knowing that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. This is the beauty of the gospel: that God uses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will. [31:11]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area of weakness in your life. How can you invite Jesus to work through this weakness to demonstrate His power and grace today?
Quotes
"I don't mind people falling asleep in church, because I always feel at least you're here. Maybe you're working a night shift or whatever, so at least you're here. My biggest fear is actually to yawn in the middle of my own sermon." [00:01:39] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus once said this to his disciples in Luke 22. He said, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, but not so with you. Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. I am among you as the one who serves." [00:11:57] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"It's an individual who understands who they are in Christ and is secure enough in the relationship with Christ that they are actually able to give themselves away, to serve others." [00:12:50] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus says I want you to hear me loud and clear he says I hate it I absolutely hate that spirit and that lie and friends as your pastor this morning I would really hate it if any of us here this morning believe for a moment that either myself or some member of the pastoral staff can take your place when it comes to fulfilling the fullness of what it is that God has called us to be as his body that we call Glad Tidings Church." [00:20:21] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"One of our vision statements, maybe you can read it with me, is simply this. We see a church where it is normal for people to take ownership of their own spiritual growth and become reproducing followers of Jesus." [00:22:23] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus said, remember, therefore from where you have fallen, repent and do the works that you did at first. This idea of works, this word is kind of interesting. It's the Greek word ergon. Ergon is a root from which we get our English word ergonomics." [00:26:36] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Each of us needs to come to terms with the fact that Jesus isn't waiting for your perfection before he ministers through you. You know why? because Jesus loves just to amaze you at what he can do through you." [00:31:29] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Really following Jesus is just returning to the simplicity of loving Jesus and knowing that he loves you. The simplicity of loving Jesus and knowing that he wants to work through you." [00:32:54] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"But in the foundation of it all, return to the simplicity of just loving Jesus, spending time with him, and just giving away all that he gives you to give to others." [00:39:25] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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