Reviving Our First Love for God

 

Summary

In this sermon, we explore the critical theme of maintaining a vibrant relationship with God as the foundation of a thriving church. The message is rooted in the book of Revelation, specifically focusing on the letter to the church in Ephesus. The church in Ephesus was commended for its perseverance, good deeds, and sound doctrine, yet it was rebuked for abandoning its first love—its love for Christ. This serves as a poignant reminder that while good works and correct theology are important, they must be rooted in a genuine love for God. Without this foundational love, the church risks losing its spiritual vitality and ultimately its very existence.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of remembering the love we had when we first encountered God, repenting from our neglect, and returning to the deeds we did at first—deeds that are motivated by love for God. It challenges us to examine whether we are merely doing things for God or if we are doing them with God, in a relationship with Him. The story of Mary and Martha is used to illustrate the difference between being busy for Jesus and being present with Him. Mary chose the better part by sitting at Jesus' feet, highlighting the necessity of prioritizing our relationship with God over mere activity.

Furthermore, the sermon warns against the danger of knowing about God without truly knowing Him. It calls for a deep, personal relationship with God, where we allow Him to know us intimately. This relationship is cultivated through spiritual disciplines like prayer and studying the Word, not as tasks to check off, but as means to draw closer to God.

Ultimately, the message is a call to revive our love for God, to let it be the air we breathe and the foundation of our lives. It is a reminder that without this love, the church cannot fulfill its mission or impact the world for the kingdom of God. As we move forward, we are encouraged to build our lives around this first love, ensuring that everything we do is an act of worship and an opportunity to be with God.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Foundation of Love: The church in Ephesus was commended for its deeds and doctrine but rebuked for abandoning its first love. This highlights the necessity of love for God as the foundation of all our actions and beliefs. Without this love, even the most commendable deeds are empty. [15:20]

2. Remember, Repent, Return: Jesus calls the church to remember their initial love, repent from their neglect, and return to their first deeds. This process is essential for rekindling our relationship with God and ensuring that our actions are motivated by love. [16:37]

3. Doing With God, Not Just For God: The story of Mary and Martha illustrates the importance of being with Jesus rather than just doing for Him. Our relationship with God should be prioritized over mere activity, ensuring that our works are done in partnership with Him. [23:36]

4. Knowing God vs. Knowing About God: There is a significant difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him. A deep, personal relationship with God requires humility and openness, allowing Him to know us intimately and transform us. [26:26]

5. Reviving the Church Through Love: To revive the church and ensure its impact for generations, we must remember our first love for God and let it be the foundation of our lives. This love should permeate everything we do, transforming our actions into acts of worship and intimacy with God. [38:30]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:06] - Introduction to Revelation
- [04:48] - Vision of Jesus
- [06:28] - John's Response to Jesus
- [08:03] - Jesus' Authority Over the Church
- [11:14] - Letters to the Seven Churches
- [12:02] - Message to the Church in Ephesus
- [14:36] - Commendation and Rebuke
- [15:20] - Abandoning First Love
- [17:27] - Call to Repentance
- [19:18] - The First and Greatest Commandment
- [20:05] - Love as the First Deed
- [23:36] - Mary and Martha: Being With Jesus
- [26:26] - Knowing God vs. Knowing About God
- [29:19] - Spiritual Disciplines as Relationship Builders
- [38:30] - Reviving the Church Through Love
- [40:10] - Closing Worship and Blessing

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, and what is the main rebuke He has against them? [12:02]

2. How does the story of Mary and Martha illustrate the difference between doing things for Jesus and being with Jesus? [23:36]

3. What does Jesus mean when He says He will remove the lampstand from its place if the church does not repent? [29:58]

4. How does the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:9-16 set the tone for the messages to the churches? [04:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why is it significant that Jesus commends the Ephesians for their deeds and doctrine but rebukes them for abandoning their first love? How does this relate to the overall health of a church? [15:20]

2. In what ways does the call to "remember, repent, and return" serve as a process for rekindling a relationship with God? How might this process look in a believer's life today? [16:37]

3. How does the distinction between knowing about God and truly knowing Him impact a believer's spiritual life and relationship with God? [26:26]

4. What does it mean to do deeds "with God" rather than just "for God," and how can this change the way we approach our daily activities? [22:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Have you found yourself doing more for God than being with Him? What steps can you take to prioritize being with God this week? [22:49]

2. Think about the love you had for God when you first became a believer. How has that love changed over time, and what practical steps can you take to rekindle it? [38:30]

3. In what ways can you incorporate spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study into your life as a means to deepen your relationship with God, rather than just tasks to complete? [29:19]

4. Consider the story of Mary and Martha. How can you ensure that you are choosing the "better part" in your daily life, especially when faced with the busyness of life? [23:36]

5. How can you cultivate a deeper, more personal relationship with God, allowing Him to know you intimately? What barriers might you need to overcome to achieve this? [28:39]

6. Reflect on the idea of doing deeds "with God" rather than just "for God." How can this perspective shift impact your involvement in church activities or community service? [22:49]

7. How can you ensure that your love for God remains the foundation of your life and actions, especially when faced with challenges or distractions? [32:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Love as the Foundation of Our Faith
The church in Ephesus was praised for its perseverance, good deeds, and sound doctrine, yet it was rebuked for abandoning its first love—its love for Christ. This serves as a poignant reminder that while good works and correct theology are important, they must be rooted in a genuine love for God. Without this foundational love, the church risks losing its spiritual vitality and ultimately its very existence. The essence of our faith is not just in what we do or believe, but in the love that fuels these actions and beliefs. This love for God should be the driving force behind everything we do, ensuring that our deeds are not empty but filled with purpose and meaning. [15:20]

"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." (Revelation 2:4-5a, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a time when your love for God was most vibrant. What specific actions or practices helped cultivate that love, and how can you reintroduce them into your life today?


Day 2: The Call to Remember, Repent, and Return
Jesus calls the church to remember their initial love, repent from their neglect, and return to their first deeds. This process is essential for rekindling our relationship with God and ensuring that our actions are motivated by love. Remembering our first love involves reflecting on the passion and devotion we once had for God. Repentance requires acknowledging where we have strayed and seeking God's forgiveness. Returning to our first deeds means re-engaging in the practices that once drew us closer to Him. This journey of remembering, repenting, and returning is not just a one-time event but a continual process of realigning our hearts with God's love. [16:37]

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." (Revelation 2:4-5a, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your spiritual life where you feel distant from God. What steps can you take today to remember, repent, and return to your first love in this area?


Day 3: Being With God, Not Just Doing for God
The story of Mary and Martha illustrates the importance of being with Jesus rather than just doing for Him. Mary chose the better part by sitting at Jesus' feet, highlighting the necessity of prioritizing our relationship with God over mere activity. This challenges us to examine whether we are merely doing things for God or if we are doing them with God, in a relationship with Him. Our relationship with God should be prioritized over mere activity, ensuring that our works are done in partnership with Him. This means taking time to be present with God, listening to His voice, and allowing His presence to guide our actions. [23:36]

"But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'" (Luke 10:41-42, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. How can you create space to simply be with God, rather than just doing things for Him?


Day 4: Truly Knowing God
There is a significant difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him. A deep, personal relationship with God requires humility and openness, allowing Him to know us intimately and transform us. This relationship is cultivated through spiritual disciplines like prayer and studying the Word, not as tasks to check off, but as means to draw closer to God. Knowing God involves a heart posture of seeking Him earnestly and allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives. It is about experiencing His love and grace in a way that transforms us from the inside out. [26:26]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your current spiritual practices. How can you shift your focus from merely knowing about God to truly knowing Him in a personal and transformative way?


Day 5: Reviving the Church Through Love
To revive the church and ensure its impact for generations, we must remember our first love for God and let it be the foundation of our lives. This love should permeate everything we do, transforming our actions into acts of worship and intimacy with God. Without this love, the church cannot fulfill its mission or impact the world for the kingdom of God. As we move forward, we are encouraged to build our lives around this first love, ensuring that everything we do is an act of worship and an opportunity to be with God. This revival begins with each individual, as we allow God's love to transform us and flow through us to others. [38:30]

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you let God's love be the foundation of your actions today, transforming them into acts of worship and intimacy with Him?

Quotes

"I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance and that you cannot tolerate evil men and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles and they are not and you found them to be false and you have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake and have not grown weary, but I have this against you. You have left your first love." [00:12:25] (31 seconds)


"Therefore, remember from where you have fallen and repent and do the deeds you did at first or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place. Unless you repent. Yet this you do have that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate he who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches to him who overcomes. I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." [00:13:08] (35 seconds)


"Now, it seems like this Ephesian church is beginning to love something rather than someone. They love their works. They love their good deeds. They love their perseverance. They love their theology. But in the midst of all of that, they've somehow walked away from a pure love of Christ. And so Jesus rebukes them. And he gives them love. He gives them three things that they must do. The first one, remember from where they have fallen." [00:15:01] (37 seconds)


"Now, the second thing Jesus calls them to do is to repent. He says, remember where you've fallen from, this love that you had, and repent. Now, the description of Jesus, I think, that goes along with this message, right, in Revelation 1 that we just read, this description of Christ should make it clear that there's not going to be any false repentance." [00:17:27] (22 seconds)


"To love God is the first and great commandment. To love God with your entire being. That's the first deed. I think it's really interesting that this Ephesian church here is very, very good at doing deeds. They're very, very good at doing works. And so Christ frames love as a deed that needs to be done. And actually, the work, the deed that needs to be done first. Before everything else." [00:19:18] (38 seconds)


"How many of you have neglected your relationship, your personal intimacy with God, with Christ? Because you just wanted to be known for how much good you could do. Or for how right your theology could be. How many of us have started to just do lots of good things and completely neglected loving the one who sent us in the first place?" [00:22:05] (31 seconds)


"If you are consistent about being with Jesus, he will lead you to do good works with him, not just for him. An example of this we see in Luke chapter 10, starting in verse 38. Now, as they were traveling along, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. What an awesome thing. What a beautiful thing to just be able to welcome Jesus and his crew into your home." [00:23:36] (30 seconds)


"But Martha was distracted with all her preparations, and she came up to Jesus, to him, and said, Lord. Do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me. But the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary. For Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." [00:24:15] (33 seconds)


"But again, they have lost their first love. Jesus rebukes them because there is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. There's a difference between knowing a lot about God and actually knowing God. Now, Jesus, again, warned his followers, about this during his earthly ministry. In Matthew chapter 7, starting in verse 21, he says, not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven." [00:25:25] (38 seconds)


"These things that we talk about doing, these spiritual disciplines, they're not just tasks that we do for God. They are means by which God invites us to build a relationship with him. These are the invitation that God says, come and be with me. Develop your relationship with me. Develop your relationship with me. Don't just study me, know me." [00:29:19] (25 seconds)


"Remember the love that you received from God. Remember the love you had for him when you were first saved. That joy of first knowing God. That first encounter with God. Remember the love and the patience and generosity that you had for all those Christians before you became bored at church or just super familiar with the routine of going to church." [00:38:30] (30 seconds)


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Transcript
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