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The First Love

The First Love. Revelation 2:4. The Church at Ephesus. A brief visit & promise (Acts 18:19-21) The beginning of the church (Acts 19:1-10) A later meeting of Paul and the elders (Acts 20:16-38) A letter written to them (Ephesians) Recipients of a letter in Revelation (Rev. 2:1-8).

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The First Love

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  1. The First Love Revelation 2:4

  2. The Church at Ephesus • A brief visit & promise (Acts 18:19-21) • The beginning of the church (Acts 19:1-10) • A later meeting of Paul and the elders (Acts 20:16-38) • A letter written to them (Ephesians) • Recipients of a letter in Revelation (Rev. 2:1-8)

  3. The Problem at Ephesus • They had “left your first love” • “Left.” Thayer says, 1) “to send away”, 2) “to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person”, 3) “to leave, go away from one” • “First.” Thayer says, 1) “first in time or place”, 2) “first in rank”, 3) “first, at the first” • “Love.” Agape, the highest form and expression of love in the Scriptures. Beyond affection and fondness

  4. Disappointing in light of previous remarks (Eph. 4:24; 5:1, 20-21; 6:6) • What was the first love? • Is it: • Hospitality to strangers? • Affectionate care of the poor saints? • Concern for the flock? • The maintaining of church discipline? • Interpersonal relationships between brethren?

  5. They had abandoned their love for God • Based on Matthew 22:37-40 • When this is abandoned, obedience is eliminated (1 Jn. 5:3)

  6. The Solution and Our Lesson • The solution (v. 5) • Remember • “The lever of repentance is memory” (Harkrider) • The prodigal son (Lk. 15:17-21) • Repent • Godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10) • “…repent, turn to God, …” (Acts 26:20, NKJV) • Return • Do the “first works” as when you faithfully served God • Be determined to do His will (Acts 20:32)

  7. Our lesson • Heed the warnings and examples in God’s word • Avoid developing an “evil heart of unbelief” (Heb. 3:12) • A worse end (2 Peter 2:20-22) • Observe the things commanded • Jesus demanded this (Matt. 28:20) • Perseverance counts (Rev. 1:3) • Dividends are eternal (Rev. 22:14)

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