1. LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE Revelation 2:1-7

2. Introduction Revelation chapters 2 & 3 – Jesus addresses each of the 7 churches « To the angel of the church » – Could be messenger, preacher – Could be a heavenly angel – Hear what the Spirit says – vs.7

3. The Ephesian Church Beginning – Acts 18:18 – 19:7 Elders met Paul – Acts 20:17-32 Paul wrote them a letter – Urged them to be rooted and grounded in love (3:17) – Speak the truth in love (4:15) – Walk in love (5:1)

4. What was wrong? Letter begins with high praise – Work, labor, patience HOWEVER : They left their first love Used for sermons on attendance, faithfulness, etc.

5. What was wrong? Just a few years earlier – Paul was there – 55-58 – Timothy was there – 60-63 – Now : (early date) 66 OR (late date) 95 – major departure in 3 up to 30 years

6. What was wrong? Galatians 1:6 – So soon removed Every congregation is one generation (20-25 years) away from apostasy

7. First Love, First Works First love is not : – Puppy love – First crush – First real genuine love

8. First Love, First Works First love & first works are connected – They left their first love – They should repent and do the first works

9. What are the 1 st Works? Hear the gospel Believe the message Repent of our sinful ways Confess our faith in Jesus Baptized for forgiveness of sins

10. What are the 1 st Works? They kept - – Works, labor, patience They left - – Hearing – Believing – Repenting

11. Do you remember? When you first became a Christian Full of excitement, zeal,desire Is the “honeymoon” over? Where is the blessedness I knew When I first met the Lord? Where is that soul-refreshing view of Jesus and His Word? - William Cowper

12. Love vs. Hatred Return to first love Hate the deeds of the Nicolatians Revelation 2:14-15 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

13. Love vs. Hatred We must do more than disagree with a false teaching – moral or doctrinal We must “abhor that which is evil” (Romans 12:9)

14. When are we not a church When is a Church of Christ no longer a church of Christ? We must be a light – lampstand – candle stick – to the world Shine the glorious gospel – 2 Corinthians 4:4

15. When are we not a church When the light fails to shine – the lampstand is removed When a light bulb burns out – we throw it away Christ is coming – QUICKLY – We think – end of time – Punishment can come NOW!