CENTRAL THOUGHT
Believers should continue in their first Love.
TEXT: REV. 2:1-7
INTRODUCTION:
It is expected that at the point of giving one’s life to the Lord and accepting Him as personal Lord and Savior, there is a total turnaround in the life of an individual. To most believers, as should be to all, the newfound love and Lord becomes the center of their lives. This drives them with commitment to live, please, and do His biddings. The resulting effect is manifested in the individual’s commitment, dedication, and faithfulness to the Lord. The zeal is subject to dwindle and wane with time.The church at Ephesus started very well. They kept the Christian standard and were zealous for the work of God. However, a time came when they failed to love God above every other thing. They were admonished to return to their first love. In this study, we shall examine very closely this church vis-à-vis our lives with a view to derive some lessons.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
1. To know the meaning of the words ‘ first love’
2. To discuss the marks of a believer who has left his first love
3. To appreciate the possible hope of returning to one’s first love
4. To discuss the implications of not returning to our first love
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE WORDS “FIRST LOVE”?
Rev. 2:2-3, 4; Jer. 2:1-3
The words ‘first love’ connotes the very beginning, starting point, the initial commitment, dedication, faithfulness, and joy that an individual had at the point of giving one’s life to the Lord. There is usually great zeal towards God and the things of God. This drives the individual to be totally and completely sold out to the Lord and His service. There is a desire to please God above all odds, even at the risk of being ostracized, rejected, and called names for this newfound way (The love of God). There is a deep hunger to know God, hence, such an individual is not forced/ compelled to attend Christian meetings and activities but finds great joy and delight in being in the presence of God. In the pursuit of knowing God, such an individual studies and searches the scriptures for himself, prays and holds his relationship and fellowship with God at a high esteem. Such an individual’s life is in consonance with the word of God. In this state, such an individual does not partake in condole/ tolerate sin, but promptly rebukes it.
QUESTION 2) WHAT WAS THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS COMMENDED FOR?
Rev. 2:2-3
In Rev. 2:2-3, the Lord Jesus said, “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:And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” The church at Ephesus was commended first for their works, i.e they were not lazy brethren but were busy for the kingdom. Amplified version described their efforts as laborious toil and troubles, which imply that their works and deeds were not trouble-free, i.e even amid their troubles, they worked laboriously for God. They endured patiently in their labor and were not in a hurry. They were further commended for being forthright. This was a distinctive feature of this church. Their resolve not to condone or accommodate evil/wicked men was not in doubt. Beyond these, they did not just accept everyone by the way they presented themselves but tried every spirit (Rev. 2:2) and were able to critically appraise those that call themselves apostles but were found to be imposters and liars.The beauty of the patient endurance (perseverance) of hardship by the brethren at Ephesus was that they suffered not for a wrong, but for the sake of the Lord. For this they were also commended. The consistency of this church and dedication was also commended. In all these works, they did not faint.
QUESTION 3) WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MARKS OF THOSE THAT HAVE LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE?
The believer in this state loses the excitement in serving God. The initial fire and zeal begin to dwindle; the love of God and the things of God gradually diminishes, and the evidence is that such a person spends less time in godly activities. Most of the prices and cherished godly values begin to give way and premium is then placed on things with no eternal value. It is important to note that it is not the day a believer backslides as seen by men that he actually backslides. Most times, the backsliding had long taken place before the later fruits become manifest for others to see. The joy and peace of such an individual wanes and gradually or completely disappears. As a result, such an individual begins to avoid brethren. There will be compromise in standards and company. He begins to partake or condone things he had vigorously rebuked/ reproved and kicked against. At this state, prayerlessness sets in, and the study of God’s word becomes burdensome. Evangelism is no more a priority, and such an individual will give every excuse not to be involved. At this stage Christ is no more at the center, the love of God had waxed cold, and the Lord is left out of His own work. The class should mention other conditions.
QUESTION 4) DISCUSS TODAY’S CHURCH RELATIVE TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS.
While the Ephesian church labored and toiled for the sake of the Lord, this might not be correct of some churches today. Though it is obvious that today’s church is busy and encumbered with so many activities, not many of such activities can be truly said to be for the Lord’s sake. The Ephesian church was known for their works, and, despite the challenges/ toils and troubles, they worked for God. In some church circles today, commitment to God is usually at one’s pleasure and comfort i.e the work of God is done when it is convenient.The Ephesian church was marked out for their perseverance. Today’s church is in a hurry to impress, irrespective of how this is achieved. The place of patience is dwindling/ lacking in our present-day church. They want to start off today and soon become a mega church that is famous and popular.Emphasis is not placed on the salvation of souls and making of disciples, but on population of the denomination, affluence, and other mundane qualities.The Ephesian church resisted wicked and evil men but in some church circles today, such men are honored, elevated, and given positions in the church, depending on what they have to offer to the “man of God” materially. The Ephesian church tested those that called themselves apostles and found out that they were imposters. This is lacking and not common in today’s churches, which mostly look out for signs and wonders irrespective of this source. Even when it appears by the activities and fruits of the supposed “man of God” that he is in error, they are generally applauded because of the signs and wonders as well as charitable and philanthropic deeds. Often times, no questions are raised as to test and prove all things according to the scriptures. The church at Ephesus was consistent in their work, labor, perseverance, and trying of imposters; this they did without fainting. Today, even some church denominations that were known for righteousness and holiness have turned around and joined the popular bandwagon to gain fame and cheap popularity, thereby abandoning their first love. Inconsistency in the walk with and work for God is one of the greatest problems in Christianity. The class should discuss others.
QUESTION 5) IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO RETURN TO HIS/HER FIRST LOVE?
Rev. 2:5; 2 Chron. 7:14; 30:9b; Ezekiel 18:26-28
There is hope for anyone who wants to return to his/her first love. If only such will truly repent, seek the face of God, forsake his evil ways, and turn to God. God will forgive and heal the backsliding, because God is gracious and merciful, faithful, and just to forgive, if the backslider/sinner genuinely repents.
QUESTION 6) WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF NOT RETURNING TO OUR FIRST LOVE? Rev. 2:5; Joshua 24:20; John 15:6; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Sam. 12:9-12
The implications are very grievous. God is not pleased with such persons. They are exposed to be attacked by the devil and his agents, God Himself can turn His wrath upon them, the risk of the difficulty in returning to God is high. It brings shame and reproach to such individual, and his family, the name of God is blasphemed, there is evil and destruction and such an individual misses eternity with Christ.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The Ephesian church was commended by the Lord Jesus for some virtues. Despite all the commendation, the Lord indicted the church for leaving her first love. This is the same positions of some Christians today; we need to return to the path of righteousness and holiness, giving due reverence to the Lord and showing forth the life of Christ.
MEMORY VERSE:
REV. 2:5
“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: THE MEANING OF THE WORD ‘FIRST LOVE’. Rev. 2:2,3,6; Jer. 2:1-3
TUE: WHAT BACKSLIDING IS. Gal. 3:1-4; Ezek. 18:20-28
WED: THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS BACKSLIDERS. Gal. 6:1
THU: CAUSES OF BACKSLIDING. 1 Cor. 15:33; Heb. 10:25; 1 John 2:15-17
FRI: HOW WE CAN RETURN TO OUR FIRST LOVE. Mal. 3:7; Hos. 14:1
SAT: THE IMPLICATIONS OF NOT RETURNING TO OUR FIRST LOVE. 2 Peter 2:20-22; Joshua 24:20