Have You Left Your First LOVE
Prayer
Revelations 2:1-4 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (2) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. (4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Greetings
Purpose: Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (19) to preach the acceptable year of the LORD.
The church in Ephesus made its first appearance in Acts chapter eighteen after the Apostle Paul’s tour in Corinth. Paul came to Ephesus but left to preach in Caesarea, then to report in Antioch. He returns from Antioch to the upper coast of Ephesus, in Acts chapter nineteen, and one would notice he has an intriguing encounter with some fellow brethren of the faith who were disciples of John. Filled with joy and excitement in seeing his brothers; he makes an inquiry of them about the HOLY GHOST, but surprise to hear that they have not heard of the HOLY GHOST. Notice, they have been having church services all this time, but they were operating the church with no power (Explain briefly). Paul realize the only reason they were operating in the church with no power because they were more focus on the teachings and traditions of John instead of understanding the person he was speaking about and the one that came after CHRIST. Paul changes their focus toward JESUS and immediately they received the HOLY GHOST that granted them power from on high. This power radiated from them into the community causing a revival. Although, the silversmiths in the community were upset because they were losing money since many turn from serving pagan god Diana to serving the one true GOD. Christianity prevailed, and this is obvious since in the letter, to the church in Ephesus from GOD, commended them for their works without complaining. Yet, through all their hard work and dedication, GOD sends them in the same letter deliver by John stating there is a problem that requires their immediate attention and a quick resolution. The Ephesus church may have been in shock and dismayed by the proclamation, but GOD had to refocus them.
Revelations 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
GOD said you are not doing the work because you love me, but because it is a tradition of the church and for self-promotion (Explain briefly).
When one becomes unfocused and non-loving toward CHRIST, one will soon grow to be frustrated in doing GOD’s work. Allow me to back this statement with scriptures:
1. 1 King 19:9 GOD ask the prophet Elijah, “What are you doing here”, because he was more focus on the words of Jezebel instead of being focus on the victory at Mt. Carmel. Elijah is sitting in a cave depress and contemplating suicide because he took a moment to forget how GOD defeated 850 prophets of baal, or how he block the rain for three years.
2. Luke 10:41 JESUS told Martha, “Martha, Martha thou art careful, and trouble about many things”, because she is frustrated from serving everybody who walk into the house. Martha was too busy serving others out of tradition instead of focusing on the one who could feed 5,000 at will.
3. Matthew 14: 31 JESUS ask Peter, “O thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt”, because he was about to drown. Peter almost drowns in the sea since his focus on his situation around him and not on the one that said, “Come”. Remember, Peter ask JESUS to provide a way for to walk on the water; step out on the water; and forgot JESUS made a way for him the moment he took his eyes off JESUS. How many of pray for GOD to make a way for us, took two steps, and forgot what we prayed for because we were too focus on what everyone else is saying and concentrated on how bad our current situation is.
Now, GOD did specified where and who they have lost focus. GOD said, “You have left your first Love”. The reason we do not understand how powerful this declaration really is, because we do not know who our first love is truly. Many will say that sports or their career is their first Love. Many will say that their first girlfriend, boyfriend, or the first one they laid down with is their first love. Many will say that their father, mother, and kinfolks is their first love, but GOD said, “I beg the difference”.
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee and before thou camest forth out the womb I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
GOD reminds us, before our parents thought about us, he adore you before daddy and mama decided to consummate the marriage. That is why he becomes infuriated with us when we put others or things before him. Allow me to back this up with scripture.
Exodus 20:3-6 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (4) Thou shalt not make unto thee any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (5) Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy GOD am a jealous GOD, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; (6) And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Now, since we have established who our one true first Love is, I have to ask, “Have you left your first Love”? If you answer, yes, to this question, be aware that GOD has a recommendation for you.
1. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen (Revelations 2:5a)
a. Remember the day GOD save you and why CHRIST die for you
b. Remember from where he brought you from
c. Remember the peace that only GOD can give you
2. Repent
a. To be greatly ashamed of your sins
b. Have a true change of heart toward GOD
c. There is consequences for a unrepentant soul
3. Do the first works
a. Return to GOD’s will
b. It requires effort (Breaking your current comfort zone)
Conclusion: Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of Life, which is in the midst of the paradise of GOD.
