God's Message to the Seven Churches: Part 2 - The Church That Left Its First Love

First John, we're told we love him because he first loved us. But sometimes we sing those songs, oh how I love Jesus and my Jesus, I love thee. Well, other thoughts are in our head and other distractions have our attention and our life really doesn't seem to demonstrate that we love him like we should. No doubt, we do love him if we know him as savior. We are most definitely grateful for his love for us but there are many times that our love for him is not at all what it should be.

Praise God. His love doesn't fail. His mercies are new every morning and he is ever faithful. And our salvation and our home in heaven is based on his love, his faithfulness, his goodness, his mercy. Praise the Lord for that.

Tonight, Revelation chapter two, we're going to look at the church that left its first love. And I think the Lord will help us to see that not only is this important but it's something that the modern church struggles with as well. Even fundamental baptist churches too. Revelation two one through seven. Let's read it together.

And to 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. I know thy works, and thy labor 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, and has born and has patience, and for my name's sake has labored and has not fainted. Nevertheless, I have someone against thee because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore, from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works or else I will come into thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent.

But this thou hast, that thou hast the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit say it under 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. Let's pray. Lord, thank you for your promises to us and your warnings when needed, your rebuke, your exhortation and encouragement, Lord. Thank you, Lord that you are watching over us, that you know what is happening in our lives, in an even more profound and way than we do ourselves.

Lord, we pray that you would use the message tonight in the word of God as it goes forth to convict us of areas where we may be failing. Lord, where where we may be coming up short. Of serving and loving our savior as our should, as we should, of doing your will, giving you first place in our life. Lord, give us wisdom and understanding as we look into your word tonight. We thank you for it in Jesus name.

Amen. Once again, these seven churches and we didn't read about all of them tonight but there's seven churches that are here in Revelation two and three are real churches in real cities in Asia Minor which today is Western Turkey. Founded possibly or most likely as a result of Paul's extended ministry for two or three years in the city of Ephesus on his third missionary journey. As Paul returned on his second missionary journey back to Israel and Antioch. He had a brief stay at Ephesus but he wasn't there long and so, as soon as he began his second missionary journey, he made a beeline for Ephesus and he stayed there in Ephesus for over two years and ministered there to the people and preached the gospel so that the Bible tells us that many from the region around about heard also the gospel and the word of God.

If not, from the lips of Paul himself, from the lips of others he had saved, who the Lord had saved through his ministry, through others that had gone out to preach the gospel whom he had led to the Lord and trained. And as a result, several of these churches, if not all of them were planted just miles from each other. Most of them fairly close in Western Turkey. After Paul's ministry there, John the apostle also ministered in some of these churches particularly in the church of Ephesus. His letters, first, second, and third John were written to that church and then others ministered there as well and carried on that ministry.

John is now writing to these seven churches as he opens the Book of Revelation. As we observe churches, we often use different criteria than the Lord does. It's it's interesting when people move into an area or or maybe for some reason, they've left the church and they're looking for a church and and they visit and I call em up and you know, when I I talk to em, try to find out, you know, if they have any questions about the church, if there's any way we can pray or minister to them or just encourage em in the Lord and it's interesting sometimes the questions you hear and people have different criteria in in judging churches. Some some churches, people need a church that's has this many people, this or this or that. Some people are looking for churches that are are really excited.

Some people are looking for churches that are spending almost most of their time in the word of God. Some of them are looking for a friendly church which by all means, you should be friendly and be teaching the word of God and and we certainly shouldn't be complacent but excited about the word of God but people look at churches different reasons. Sometimes, they look at the property. Several different reasons. But God, Jesus Christ, he judges a little differently.

God sees everything and is in a much better position to judge than we are. It's his judgment that by all means is most relevant and his praise or rebuke which should be taken most seriously and that's what we have here. Is the praise and the rebuke of the Lord of the church to his churches in the area of Asia Minor. As we discussed two weeks ago, these seven churches is mentioned again in verse one are represented by seven golden candlesticks or lampstands. In the midst of which we find the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

It says, walking here in the midst of these seven golden candlesticks. That is because Jesus Christ is the founder, the judge, the bridegroom, and the head of the church. It is all about who? It's all about Jesus. It's not about me.

It's not about this building. It's not just about you. It's all about Jesus. We come here to worship Jesus. We come here to praise him, to pray to him, to serve him, to minister for him, to preach his word, to preach the gospel that others might come to him and be saved.

It's all about Jesus and he he it is that not only has the right to inspect his churches as he does here but also is the only one who can properly conduct such an investigation being holy, just, impartial, omniscient, and perfect. He it is also who can take away the light of any congregation who ceases to testify for him and these candlesticks as it is mentioned at the end of verse five can be removed from their place. The light that they give. Verse five, remember therefore, from whence thou art fallen, repent and do the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place. You go back to Matthew chapter five.

It talks about a candle there. Remember that? Remember the little song? How's that go? This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine, hide it under a bushel.

No. I'm going to let it shine. That that that candle represents testimony of Jesus Christ. We are called to be salt and we're called to be light, to testify of the Lord Jesus, to have a testimony for him, that others may see our good works and said this this morning, glorify our father, which is in heaven. And so we see these candlesticks, the light which they give can be taken away if what the Lord here is bringing to these churches is not taken seriously.

And responded to accordingly. Therefore, he not only points out the failings of six of the seven churches but he also commands them to repent. As we'll see here in just a few minutes as well. As such, we today should be very, should take very seriously what Christ has to take to these seven churches because the failings and the struggles of these seven churches represent the failings and struggles of the churches today. For we too struggle and many of these same areas and so, it is not only doctrinally important but very relevant and practically important that we take to heart what Christ has to say about these and respond as well.

The first church is the one at Ephesus. Fitting as it is likely the mother church of some if not all of the others. These other churches likely branched out from the church at Ephesus. It being one of the first churches that was planted in the area. It was a Roman city that meant that several people there many people were Roman citizens.

It would have received a certain amount of of prestige and blessing from Rome and money thereby from Rome. It was the capital city of Western Turkey in that day. So, very very important city. It was a large city of around a half a million people by January. So, just a few years after the writing of Revelation, this city had a population of around half a million.

Now, in that day, that is a lot of people in in one city. It was a port city on the Aegean Sea. One of a few port cities on the Aegean. It would have had a lot of traffic in the way of ships. Ships were the main vehicle to get goods back and forth across the Mediterranean.

It was a lot quicker to take a ship from North Africa up to Southern Europe than it was to go all the way around through Israel and come back and so, a lot of trade went by sea, a lot of trade across the Aegean from Turkey to Greece and so this is a very happening city. A lot taking place. There are a lot of people moving in and out. We see this if you study Acts several of the cities that God led Paul to were cities like this one because the gospel being preached in these cities would be taken from there by people who were passing through that God saved and would have been taken to other cities and so the gospel spread very quickly throughout Europe due to the Roman roads and the port cities. It was a center of abominable paganism.

We talk about how bad things are today. And in some ways, they are bad today. And there are vehicles for evil today. That didn't exist in that day. That make so many things right at your fingertips that can be so destructive in the lives of people and turn their hearts from God.

However, Ephesus was the seat of the worship of Artemis or Diana. There was a great temple in Ephesus. It was said to house a thousand temple prostitutes. The people of that city were a wicked people, an idolatrous people. This is the city that Paul went to minister to and this is the city to whom John is writing here.

These Christians were greatly outnumbered by people who had no respect for their religion, whose lifestyles were so contrary to the lifestyle of the Lord Jesus. It was a center of great learning. There are still ruins in Athens. I mean, Ephesus. Ephesus is no longer a modern city.

All of Ephesus is is a bunch of ruins today. But among those ruins is a great library and so Ephesus was a place of great learning in the ancient world as well. Others ministered there. I mentioned John, also Apollos, also Priscilla and Aquila, also Timothy, just a few mentioned that ministered in this very large city, the city of Ephesus in that day. The message to the church at Ephesus begins with the description of the Lord Jesus pertinent to the message itself.

Here in verse one, we see Jesus is holding the seven stars in his right hand. His right hand speak of protection. It also can speak of power. And the Lord Jesus is seen as holding the seven stars as he walks among the seven golden candlesticks. As we mentioned before, these stars can be angels as in the normal use of the word angel as in a a heavenly servant of the Lord sent to watch over and protect these churches or it can mean messenger which many theologians think it is speaking of the pastors or elders of these particular seven churches but either way, the angels, whether they be angels who watch over the churches or pastors, they are held in the hand by who?

Jesus. They are held in the hands of the Lord Jesus and we must remember that he holds them in his hands and he distributes them as he will. He is the head. He is the great shepherd. He is the one shepherd.

And he holds them in his hands. In the case of pastors, too many churches either take them for granted or elevate them too highly. It's something how we usually tend to one end of the spectrum or or the other. That's human nature. But the head is Christ.

The pastor is at best an imperfect but willing under shepherd who can be led, used, or replaced as long as Christ retains his proper place. The problem is too often, we take our eyes off the Lord and put our eyes on people. Pastors, elders, deacons, leaders are not perfect. Jesus is. I didn't die for you.

I love you but not as much as he does. I can't do for you what he can and I don't know anything near what he does. Sometimes, I get it wrong but he's always right. God has seen to it that this church has had a pastor to lead and guide and other leaders, deacons who've been here for many years that this delight and testimony of this church would continue. Praise the Lord for his goodness and his provision.

We see first of all, the commendation of Christ. When we look at the church of Ephesus, the first thing we read is the commendation. You say, do you want the good news first or the bad news? Well, God gives them the good news first, okay? Verse two, I know thy works and thy labor and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil.

Let's stop there for a moment. Excuse me. Thy works. He says, I know thy works. Now, he's not simply saying stating it as a fact.

Well, I know what you do. No, he is commending them for what they do. He says, I know your works. I know what you're doing. The word work is ergon in the Greek.

It means to work. It means to toil. It means to do. God sees everything that we do. He sees the good and the bad.

He sees the evil. He sees the righteous and he sees their works and God is not a god up there waiting for us to mess up so he can squash us. Our God is a gracious and merciful God who loves us. He wants to bless us. He's up there waiting for us to do the right thing so that he can bless it and use it.

That's our God. And often times, despite ourselves, God uses us in ways that we will never know till we reach heaven. He says, I know thy works. The church at Ephesus evidently was a busy church. They were busy doing many things in the service of the church, ministering to each other, and likely the community.

They had probably several services a week. Maybe like the early church, they met from different homes day to day. They probably had children's ministries. They probably had Bible studies. They may have even had music ministries.

I don't know if they did that back then. They might have had or we would have today a nursing home or a jail ministry. I don't know if they had nursing homes but I didn't knew they had widows back then and they nurse deaf most definitely had jails. Maybe they had a food pantry. These people were not lazy nor complacent in their service and participation in the church.

It is said that many churches today that 10% of the people in the church do all the work. Praise God that there's many more than 10% of the people here that do the work. Nonetheless, the 10%, the 10 or 20 or 30 or 40% are are pretty busy and I appreciate you and that's a good thing. That's a good thing. This church was busy about the master's business.

Now, they were to be commended for their diligence and zealousness for the growth and ministry of the church. In Romans twelve eleven, Paul wrote to the church at Rome, not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. He wrote, Paul wrote to Titus, encourage him in Titus two fourteen in his ministry. Speaking of Christ, he said he gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. This was a commendation of this church.

They were busy working for the Lord. Number two, he says, thy labor. The word labor means toil, weariness, and even pain. These were not fair weather Christians. They continued in their labor and their ministry even when it cost them something.

They were sacrificial in their service. They gave of themselves. They weren't just busy. They were sacrificing. For the sake of the Lord and the ministry.

Second Corinthians eight five and this they did not as we hoped. Paul wrote to the Macedonian church but first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God. Paul said, they didn't just give their money. They didn't just give to this offering. I was taking Jerusalem.

The churches of Macedonia, Paul said, they gave of themselves. Literally, some of them left their homes and traveled with Paul to Jerusalem to bring the gift. Several of them did. If you read in Acts by time they got to Jerusalem to bring the gift from the churches that Paul had had planted, there was a group of about 10 or 11 of them that were traveling together and many of them from different churches along the way that came to represent their ministries to the church there in in Jerusalem. Too many Christians today are convenient Christians.

They show up for church only when there isn't something else they would rather do. When there's not a football game on TV or some other something they'd rather be doing, you know. They show up when the weather is bad because they can't go fishing. Or they can't go golfing They show up only when they are at their best and now, there's times when when you're just ill and sick. There are times you just can't make it to church.

But there are very few weeks that everything is perfect and you feel absolutely great. There's always something to keep us a little bit sluggish and down and there's always an excuse if you want to take it. Some only come when they can get something out of it, when there is something there for them. Lot of churches cater to that today and there's something special particular for everybody and every age group and there's something always always going on and though having many ministries to minister to multiple age groups and things if you can is not a bad thing. Sad to say, many people go to churches only looking for what can they do for for me?

What do they have for me and never give a second thought to what I can do for the Lord. Church at Ephesus wasn't like that. They were doing this not as convenient Christians but they stuck with it. That brings us to the third thing here. He mentions their patience.

Their patient endurance, their stick to itiveness, or steadfastness. I don't guess stick to itiveness is actually a word but I think you know what I mean. These were not double minded Christians who were tossed about by every wind and doctrine. They were in it for the long haul. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Patience, long suffering. That's the fruit of the spirit in their lives. That was evident. They were busy for the Lord. They labored.

And they patiently endured when things got tough. There they were separated Christians. They had the ability to discern the true from the false both the doctrine and the prophet. Look look if you would again in chapter two and verse two, the latter half of the verse. It says, and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not and has found them liars.

Now, down in verse six verse six, he says, but this thou hast that thou hast the deeds of the Nicolaitans which I also hate. You see, they had received instruction previously concerning the need to be separate from the world, separate from false doctrine in order to be discerning about those to whom they listened and those to whom they followed and the doctrine they received. Hold your place in Revelation two. Turn if you would with me to second John verse seven. Second John, now you shouldn't have to turn with a page or two, okay?

Second John verse seven, here John writes, he says, for many deceivers are entered into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the father and the son.

If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house neither bid him godspeed for he that biddeth him godspeed is a partaker of his evil deeds. In other words, John wrote to the church of Ephesus and he said, be discerning who you welcome into your church, who you you house in your home while they minister in the area, make sure that they're preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and they are not deceivers and they are not liars. They are not false apostles or antichrist which means against Christ because there are many people that say that they are preaching the word of God. There are many that say they have a message from God and that's not where their message came from. John said, one of the keys to this is watch what they have to say about Christ.

There are differences, opinions, interpretations we have but if they don't have it right about Christ, then, that is a big red flag. Turn if you would to first John chapter four. Should be another page back, first John chapter four. There, John writing again to the church at Ephesus says, beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know you the spirit of God, every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God and every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.

For this is that spirit of antichrist wherever you have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the world. Turn if you would back to Acts chapter 20. Now, those are the admonitions of John. Now, let's look at the parting words of Paul in Acts chapter 20 to the elders of the church at, you want to guess where? Ephesus, okay?

Acts chapter 20 and verse 28. He says to the leaders of the church at Ephesus, he says, take heed therefore unto yourselves and unto all the flock, the congregation, over which the holy ghost has made you overseers to feed the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Therefore, watch and remember that by the space of three years, I cease not to warn everyone night and day with tears.

Paul is burdened for the church at Ephesus because he knows that there are those that are going to try to take advantage of these newborn Christians. The devil is going to sneak in the backdoor. He's going to try to put his leaders in place and destroy the work that has been started there and so Paul says, please, please, please, watch out for these charlatans. Watch out for this false doctrine. Now, back to Revelation chapter two.

Why do we find out about the church at Ephesus? Remember, everything we just read in John and Acts was written before this year. So, why do we find out about the church of Ephesus? They listened. They listened.

They listened to the Lord via the words of Paul. They listened to the word the Lord via the words of John and they did exactly what the Lord had told them to do. They tried them that were that were said they were apostles and were not. They didn't follow after the deeds of the Nicolaitans. No.

Instead, they abhorred or hated them. They went the other direction. They separated themselves from false teaching. They separated themselves from false teachers. Now, you say, pastor, who are the Nicolaitans?

Well, guess what? I don't know. The commentators don't all agree on who the Nicolaitans are but it is clear from the context that they must have been teaching something that was contrary to the word of God and that's what we have to watch out for. There are many people out there teaching things that are contrary to the word of God. That's why the Bereans were said to be more noble in the book of Acts because they took what Paul said and they compared it to what?

And they compared it to scripture. Now, several of the commentators believe that the Nicolaitans were a group by the way, the name Nicolaitan mean in Greek means conquerors of the people. And so there are some here that think that this group of false teachers who are referred to here were teaching people of a false division in Christianity. That is a division that's not clearly taught in scripture at all between laity and clergy. You see, we are all what?

One in Christ Jesus. We all have equal access to the throne of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. You don't have to go through a priest. There is one mediator between God and man and that is who? The man Christ Jesus.

It would seem that certain as the Catholic church picked up this doctrine and ran with it and still today, there are many people who think that they have to go through a priest to have their prayers heard or they have to pray to Mary or a saint to be heard by the Lord or they think that only a priest can rightly interpret the word of God. Well, the God has given to all of us his what? His spirit to help us to understand. The Bible says, the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit for their what? Foolishness unto him but we who have the spirit do have the ability to rightly divide, to rightly understand, and apply the word of God.

Though it's good to have teachers and preachers and necessary, you don't have to wait till you come to church to read and understand and apply God's word. You can do that Monday and Tuesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday at home and there are times when the pastor or the teacher could be wrong. And you could be right. Be careful. False doctrines are out there today.

We need to be careful to take John's and Paul's and the Lord's advice like the church of Ephesus and be careful to not open our doors wide open in our hearts in particular to those who carry a false message. The last thing here to point out concerning his commendation is the church's Ephesus were a suffering people. They were a suffering people. Verse three says, and has born and has patience for my name's sake has labored and has not fainted. The word labored there means wearisome, trouble, and pain, okay?

So, it seems not only did they work for the cause of Christ, were they busy serving in the church but they were a people who knew what it meant to suffer. For the gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus said to his disciples, rejoice and be exceedingly glad when you suffer for the name of Jesus. For you're in good company. And there's great reward where?

In heaven for you. He says in Galatians six nine and let us not be weary in well doing for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not. If you do serve the Lord, if you take a stand, God says, you will face persecution. There will be suffering. Be glad.

Paul said, I'm glad that I could suffer for the cause of Jesus Christ, my savior, who suffered for me. So, based upon the commendation, you'd think that the church of Ephesus was going to sail straight through with flying colors, colors. My Virginia vernacular got in there for a moment. My wife had to get on me when we got married. It's colors not colors.

But you would think that wow, this is the church. Boy, they're busy. They're they're labor. They're they're sacrificial in their service. They're even suffering and and they they have kept their doctrine pure.

This church is it. However, we continue on. It had a dangerous and potentially deadly chink vulnerability in its armor which Jesus addressed here in verse number five. He says, remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works. Well, why did they need that?

Well, verse four, nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee because thou hast what? Thou hast left thy first love. Jesus said, I I have an issue here and you need to listen up. You're in danger. You're in danger as a church of losing your testimony of having your light what?

Taken away. Because you've left your first love. Well, what does that mean? Well, it clearly indicates in the passage that they they were willing to serve, to sacrifice, and even suffer for Christ and the gospel. There is no indication that they didn't believe in him.

There is no indication that they had no faith in him. That they had given their allegiance to another and had turned their back on him. That that doesn't seem at all consistent with verse two and three that we read in this passage. So, it couldn't be that. No, they had lost or left behind that love as it was at first.

The Greek there indicates that when it says left their first love is left their love as it was at at first. When they were saved, that passion for knowing God. As Mary demonstrated when she sat at Jesus' feet, while Martha was doing all the work. Turn if you would to Luke chapter 10. Luke chapter 10.

And look in verse 38. Luke chapter 10 verse 38. Jesus, when he visited Jerusalem, his primary center was in Galilee but he would travel down to Jerusalem for the feast. And when he was there for the feast, he usually stayed overnight at the home of some friends. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

They lived in Bethany just a short distance to the West of Jerusalem. And oftentimes, he would stay there. And this is one of those times, and verse says in verse 38, now it came to pass as they went that he entered into a certain village and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to him and said, Lord, does thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?

Bid her therefore that she help me and Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful or anxious and troubled about many things but one thing is needful. Mary hath chosen the good part, that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Martha was upset. She was angry with her sister because she was busy. She was working hard.

She was cooking the food. She was setting the table. She was getting everything ready back and forth and she expected her sister would be helping her and she wasn't. She was just sitting there talking to Jesus the whole time and so she came to Jesus frustrated and she said, will you please tell my sister to get up and help me? This isn't fair.

And Jesus looked at her and said, Martha, Martha, you're busy about many things. Not that that's bad but Mary has chosen the best thing. That is to sit at my feet. To worship, and to get to know me better. I believe that is a good illustration of what Jesus means here in Revelation two.

The church of Ephesus was busy doing things for God but they were no longer sitting themselves at his feet. They were no longer enjoying his presence. They were no longer spending quality time with him in prayer. They were too busy doing work to really relish and enjoy the blessings of getting to know their Savior. And I am afraid that is all too true of so many Christians and so many churches.

It is good to be busy about the master's business, but Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship. And serving the Lord is not just about what you're doing, but serving the Lord is about who you're spending your time with. When you got married, you or before you got married, you just couldn't spend enough time with that person. But so many times, work, hobbies, and other things. Get in the way.

To the point to where that relationship starts to to grow cold. Things become routine. Routine is traded for affection and wonder. People are taken for granted. Time spent together is sacrificed for bigger and better things.

Contrary work shifts make it so you're just passing ships in the night, Taking care of children. Even though you should take care of your children. You should remember that you also have a spouse. That needs your care as well. I've heard from so many people, seen so many times, marriages break apart after the children leave home.

You've been married for twenty some years. Why now? Because it was all about the what? The children and they forgot about each other. Preparing for retirement.

Well, that's great. But if you ignore the one you love, you may be spending that retirement all alone. Exquisite vacations. But not daily love and affection. And so, you may be going through the motions but things are not as they should be.

And sometimes those marriages get in trouble and in danger of failing. Praise God our relationship with with Christ will not fail because he is faithful and because he is the one holding us together in his hand. However, the church at Ephesus had lost their first love. Their their time spent with the Lord. Their intimate and personal relationship with him was not like it used to be.

Have you ever left your first love speaking of Jesus? Do you spend time with Jesus anymore? Are you too busy serving? Too busy working, too busy doing, to get to know him better. He is a person.

He longs to spend time with his children. Have you lost your joy in serving Jesus? Is there excitement or passion in your service to him anymore? Because you too have lost your first love. Paul hadn't lost his.

I dare say he was not any less busy or burdened than we are. Yet, he said in Philippians three ten, that I may know him, know him. And the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death. Too often in fundamental churches, we have substituted purity for passion, rules for relationship, and labor for love. If we are to please the Lord, we must embrace all of these and not allow the latter ones, passion, relationship, and love to be forgotten.

Let's pray. Dear Lord, we thank you. For your love for us and Lord, we may have allowed. Indeed, at times, we most definitely have allowed. Things to get in the way of our time with you.

We've not given you first place in our lives. Other things have taken that place away. Lord, so many churches doors have been closed. And their testimony has ceased because they didn't see the danger coming. Lord, you've told us in your word.

You've put it there for us that we might recognize it today. And that we might respond in repentance and faith to you and put you back in your rightful place. A place of devotion, prayer, spending time with our Lord and doing it not because it's simply the thing that ought to be done but because we love the savior who did so much for us. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.