Rediscovering First Love: Lessons from the Church in Ephesus
First, let’s celebrate God’s goodness in allowing our church family witness the salvation of Ryan, who placed his faith in Jesus this weekend! Secondly, I’ve enjoyed studying and sharing with you this week. Probably a little too much that I went overtime significantly. My apologies for that. You all have been such an encouragement about the timing this weekend.
If you didn’t get a chance, listen/watch the message here. https://youtu.be/to5iPnCUOCk
The first letter to the church in Ephesus, as recorded in Revelation 2:1-7, offers timeless lessons that are still relevant for us today. Ephesus was a prominent city known for its cultural and religious significance. The message to the Ephesian church begins with a reminder that it is from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
The commendations given by Jesus to the Ephesian believers highlight their dedication, determination, discipline, and discernment. They were hardworking and persevered in the face of hardship. They also guarded the truth and exposed false teachings. However, there was a crucial shortcoming: they had lost their initial love for Christ. Their works had become mechanical and lacked genuine passion.
Jesus lovingly called them to repent and return to their first love. He urged them to remember their former devotion and to pursue a revival in their hearts. Failure to do so would result in the removal of their lampstand, symbolizing the disbanding of the church.
The letter emphasizes the importance of love for Christ over mere religious observance or doctrinal purity. Love should be the driving force behind our actions, serving as the foundation for all our endeavors.
The church in Ephesus serves as a cautionary example for us today. It is easy to become complacent and lose the fervor we once had. We must guard against the trap of going through the motions without a heartfelt love for Jesus.
Let us examine our own lives and churches. Have we abandoned our first love? Have we become mechanical in our faith? May we heed Jesus’ call to repentance, renew our love for Him, and allow that love to inspire and guide our actions. Only then can we experience the blessings promised to those who overcome—the joy of partaking in the tree of life in the paradise of God.