One of the great revelations of the scripture is that the reason we love others is because we have first. But i have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. It seems the ephesians lost their allencompassing love for jesus because they let other issues crowd out the primacy of loving god with all their. The following steps will be helpful in getting the most from your ephesians bible study. Your high priest will sympathize with you, therefore, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need hebrews 4. Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches. Christ says the ephesians had begun with an excitement and love for truth, but internal betrayal and spiritual. Nancy will explain in a series called your first love relationship. I have this against you, said jesus, that you have abandoned the love you had at first eph. Revelation 21a, 2a4 to the angel of the church of ephesus write 2 i know your works, your labor, your patience, and. Return to your first love sermon by johnny small, revelation.
Pulpit committee and church growth department, all functioning. This vital responsibility, as found at the beginning of ephesians 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works. Jesus isnt telling the ephesians to remember the wretched things he saved them fromhes asking them to remember the amazing love they were gifted with when they. This is done by returning to our initial love of our brethren, of god and of doing his work. Weep before him, as he wraps his arms around you, and draws you in close. Return to your first love kehilat hacarmel, december 10, 2018 as a congregation, we recently finished studying the book of ephesians, delving deeper into the richness of the spiritual blessings we have in messiah, understanding the one new man and new life in him, being rooted and grounded in love, and spiritual warfare. Remember how much you loved jesus at the beginning and go back to that.
Sometimes this verse is used by preachers and songwriters to promote our love for god. The first love which characterized the ephesians was the zeal and ardor with which they embraced their salvation as they realized they loved. It is time to pass over from the limitations of time into the new infinite eternal now. The ephesians were still working and waiting for god. How to return to your first love, janet thompson read more christian women spiritual life, faith, and growth. They had persevered with a good attitude in the midst of trials and persecution. Show her that she comes before business, your children, your parents, your house, your hobbies, and your recreation. It is time to return to your first love revelation 2. Their hearts were captivated with their love for jesus. The meaning of first love just continuing to go through the correct motions of loving and obeying god is insufficient. The completed registration allows us to send order and donation receipts to the email address you provided. Trinity broadcasting network is the worlds largest christian television network and americas mostwatched faithandfamily channel.
Thats why it was so terrible for them to lose their first love, because god worked in their lives first, and god called them first, and they were the objects and recipients of gods grace and blessing through jesus christ. Think about the time in your life when your love for christ burned more strongly than ever. He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. I spent all of my money on her and all of my time with her. Tonight we embark upon the adventure of the letters to the seven churches in revelation chapter 2 and 3, so you may now take your bible and look with me to the second chapter of the great apokalupsis. Jesus warned them to return to their first love so they wouldnt lose their place as part. We should be zealous for the truth, but that zeal should be tempered so that we are always speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, christ ephesians 4. As our culture becomes increasingly secularized, god gives the church in america an opportunity to return to its first love.
A big thanks to david jeremiah whose sermon series on revelations inspired this short lesson. Sep 16, 2009 you have abandoned the love you had at first. Restoring your first love introduction when john was in the spirit on the lords day, he heard a loud voice saying revelation 1. Remember how you wanted to make such a great impression. You would wear your best clothes, put your best foot forward, and use your best manners. Do you remember when you first fell in love with your spouse. Bible verses about our first love bible verses related to our first love from the king james version kjv by relevance. To better grasp the magnitude of christs directive, lets consider the characteristics of a christian in his or her first love. An article by tony evans on how we need to return to our first love, gods word. A spirit of forgiveness is essential to the christian. Experiencing gods love is the beginning and end to everything we do as his children. Husbands, love your wives this is the command for married men. You need to return to the works you did at first, but at least you hate the same evil works that i do.
These ephesians were still going strong in the church, and they had all kinds of qualities, but they had forsaken their first love. John called the ephesian church to repent because their love for jesus and for others had grown cold. Return to your first love is a christian cliche, applied to congregations by pastors. Jul, 2015 but how far have we fallen in living lives of mature, holy love for god and each other. Jun 05, 2018 even though i love jesus, my love threatens to grow cold when the familiar becomes taken for granted and neglected. July, 2015 the bible studies for life lesson for july 26 focuses on revelation 2. For jesus to say to the ephesians that they had forsaken their first love. It is a love that truly shows ones heart is completely given to god. Today jesus is saying, remember from where you have fallen, return to your first deeds and the life to which you were called in christ. Revelation 21a, 2a4 to the angel of the church of ephesus write 2 i know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. Well, if the rebuke on abandoning your first love does not refer to the level of our feelings, to what does it refer. Remembering your first love april 24, 2017 remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works. The closing words of our lord to the church at ephesus were intended to motivate the christians there to remember, repent, and return to their former acts of love.
If you find yourself in this position, ask god to have mercy on you and to rekindle your love for him. They had started out strong, but over time things had begun to change. Remember how much you loved jesus when you first met him and go back to that. Jesus the churchs first love rick renner ministries. The ephesians took great pride in this grand edifice. Return to your deeds of love that you first learned to do when you were saved, but do not neglect that commendable longsuffering discernment which god also found so praiseworthy.
King james bible nevertheless i have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy. When i met her i fell in love with her at first sight. Jesus said, if ye do not forgive, neither will your father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses mark 11. Like young people who fall in love, the ephesians fell hard when they first came to christ. When paul returned to ephesus, he found a group of disciples who were.
Dec 05, 2001 now we come to what is perhaps the most important consideration for gods people today in the message to ephesusthe warning to return to our first love. Losing your first love watch tbn trinity broadcasting. Renewal of your first love experiencing god first15. They were willing to sacrifice or leave behind anything to follow him. Are you like that poor unfortunate wife who was so. There were no limits to what they would surrender to him, no boundaries to their obedience. Devotion is the sense in which the word love agape is being used. So i think the church was busy with their second love in every way possible. We are bound to thank god always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every. Next, jesus again praised them for hating the deeds of the nicolaitans verse 6.
When paul says farewell to the ephesians elders acts 20 he weeps and so do they, because they know they. Return to the lord your god, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. An overview of ephesians january 3, 2020 january 6, 2020 everyday jesus personal update. It provides a helpful orientation to our lesson plans as well giving you some important guidelines for maximizing the impact of your bible study. Remembering your first love rick renner ministries. Returning to your first love episodes revive our hearts. To paraphrase christs advice to the ephesian church in revelation 2, he says, renew your devotion to me. If our passion for god and others has cooled off, we too, must return to our first love.
Christ says the ephesians had begun with an excitement and love for truth, but internal betrayal and spiritual battles had eroded much of their enthusiasm. What does it mean to have left your first love revelation. In other words, if you find that you have left your first love for the lord, get your priorities back in order and do the most important things. What was the first love that the ephesians had abandoned. Jesus warned them to return to their first love so they wouldnt lose their place as part of the church of god. Nevertheless i have this against you, that you have left your first love. Jan 02, 2020 our first love is the love christ gives us for god and each other. Our first love bible verses in the king james version kjv about our first love. First, it is identified as a sinful thing that requires repentance. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. First love is the purest kind of spiritual love we as humans can demonstrate. Remember, repent, and do the first works recalling your salvation experience and your first love for the lord can help you recognize changes that have developed in your relationship with god since then. I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. This is revive our hearts with nancy leigh demoss for wednesday, september 16.
If you are leading this study on ephesians, i would encourage you to complete our guide for bible study leaders. That is a sign you are beginning to lose your first love. After identifying himself to the ephesians, jesus begins his letter by. Because they ultimately neglected jesus challenging rebuke to return to their first love, their spiritual influence was removed, and after the fourth century, the church of ephesus no longer existed. What we were learning was so exciting, we would burn the midnight oil to learn more. The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. And unless god is our first love, the one were giving all of our hearts to, life will always. The first love which characterized the ephesians was the zeal and ardor with which they embraced their salvation as they realized they loved christ because he first loved them 1 john 4.
Bible verses related to our first love from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order revelation 2. But i have this against you, that you have lost your first love. Jesus is calling us to return to our first love to him. Amazingly, god calls us to return to where we once fell.
Ephesians, 1 and 2 timothy, 1, 2, and 3 john, and revelation. This is the love that opens peoples hearts and minds to the saving grace of jesus and validates our claim to be the church. Turn back to me again and work as you did at first. Then, in 1 timothy 1, he tells timothy he sent him there to deal with false teaching. The complaint is that the ephesians have left their first love v. Still, the ephesians did have a churchwide flaw in their deeds i know your deeds and your toil, they had fallen and left their first love. That is one of the tangible and enjoyable fruits of your repentance. I once translated a wellknown preacher in the netherlands who shared on not forsaking your first love. Christ is here speaking as the bridegroom, and addresses the church of ephesus as his bride comp. So, what had the believers in ephesus done up to jesuss visit with john that they had forsaken. Renewal of your first love experiencing god first15 daily. Apr 24, 2017 remembering your first love april 24, 2017 remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works. If the ephesians did not repent and return to their love relationship with god, he warned them he would remove their lampstand.
Simply stated, the ephesians needed to rekindle a lost love for one another. This term, first love, refers to love for and among our spiritual brethren and for our enthusiasm in doing the work of god. While the ephesians did fall away from their first love, they have managed to maintain their fighting spirit against false teaching. His love is not just words spoken but is tangible and real.
He loves us like a husband loves the wife of youth. Im not a morning person, so when i found myself awake early in the morning. Jesus used these words to remind the church in ephesus of the wonder that was first awakened in their hearts for him when they received him as their savior many years earlier. Everyone is familiar with the indictment jesus brings against the church in ephesus concerning their fast fading love. One of the great revelations of the scripture is that the reason we love others is because we have first been loved ourselves. Ppt ephesians powerpoint presentation free to download. What does it mean to have left your first love revelation 2. What were the deeds the church in ephesus had done at first. Love for me, love for each other, and love for the lost people in your world must be your motivation. Return to your first love remember the height from which we have fallen and return back to our first, true love of christ. Christ commended them for this discernment, but he faulted them for having lost their first love. And while its incredibly important to spend your life loving god, he knows you will only be able to do so if youve encountered his love first.
This is a good thingbackbreaking, exhausting labor, and triumphant fortitude in the midst of. If you feel far from christ and miss the days when you adored him, he calls you to come back in three words. Real love isnt our love for god, but his love for us 1 jn 4. If there is a first love then there must be a second love. Obviously, we love our husbands and kids more than we love pizza or shoes. A generation had come and gone since paul had preached to them.
For those that do not know, starting december 1, i was named pastor of a local church here in north carolina. Confess to him that you have forsaken your first love and put other things in his place. After clicking register, you will receive an email with a link to verify your account and to complete your registration. Despite satans insinuations, you are not the first to experience this paralyzing lack of happiness in god. It is time to pass over the great divide, the chasm, the abyss, or the separation between human beings and our divine beloved. Losing your first love watch tbn trinity broadcasting network.
Then, my friend, i encourage you to set aside time every morning for him alone. Let us first experience gods love in christ by personally accepting the his selfsacrifice on the cross of calvary for our sins, and then let us love others. Our love flows out of, and is a response to, his love. Christ warned the ephesians to recover their love, their. By truth spoken in love, we are to grow in every way into him me, jesus the anointed one, the head. Nevertheless i have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love. So in acts 20, paul warns the ephesians to be on guard. He does not call us to make up for lost time and be a mile ahead of where we used to be. Repent to your god for not loving him as he deserves. If not, i will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Ephesians 52 and walk in love, as christ also has loved us and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to god for a sweetsmelling aroma. It may mean thy love of the brethren, so much insisted upon in st.