As an appropriate conclusion to our Ephesians sermon series, we examine Christ’s loving confrontation of the church in Ephesus from Revelation 2:1-7. Although they were still defending the faith and persevering amidst various trials, Jesus warns them of losing their first love and graciously calls them to remember His love, repent of their lack of love, and return to their previous deeds of love. Under the guise of church activity and amidst the distractions of life in the 21^st century, have we also lost our first love?

Tyler’s Main Points

• Holding fast to your love for Jesus is the one thing that matters most.
• We restore our love for Jesus by remembering, repenting, and returning to Him.
• True love for Jesus perseveres and is rewarded with the tree of life in the Paradise of God.

Key Takeaways

• In Revelation 2:1-7, Jesus commends the church in Ephesus for their perseverance and good works, but lovingly confronts them in the area they are lacking that matters most– their love for Jesus.

• Jesus sees not as men see, but He sees and knows the heart. He not only knows what’s in your heart, but loves you enough to confront you and point you back to Him.

• Orthodoxy and orthopraxy by themselves are insufficient to live out our calling as Christians, but right orthopathy (love for God & one another) must be at the heart of our doctrine and deeds.

• Tyler highlights three main reasons Christians may lose their first love:

1. We leave our love for Jesus when we substitute activity for relationship.
2. We leave our love for Jesus when we settle for knowing doctrine over knowing God.
3. You can’t leave a love for Jesus when you never had to begin with.

• Doctrine matters immensely and is the means to knowing God accurately, but is intended to serve as a means to an end—to know God personally and relationally.

• When we see study the Scriptures, communion with God must be our goal.

• God the Father does not have any spiritual grandchildren, only children. You cannot be saved by your parents’ faith and love for Jesus. You must personally acknowledge your sinfulness and trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation.

• The story of Bartimaeus in Luke 18:35-43 models a faith not just in Jesus the man, but Jesus the Messiah; a right recognition of our helplessness apart from Christ; and a response of obedience and praise to Christ’s work.

• When we study, pray, and serve, let us do it with a heart of meeting and magnifying the risen Christ.

• The Church is to steadfastly fix its eyes on the love of Christ and the glorious day to come.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• Is a love for Christ evident in how you study, pray, and serve? As you remember the love of Christ, what attitudes and actions do you need to readopt?

• In light of our sermon series in Ephesians, what do you believe Jesus is lovingly confronting you about in your life? Remember the love of Christ, repent, and return to Him!

Discuss with your community group:

• What is the current state of your love for Christ? Why is He alone worthy of your heart’s greatest affections and allegiance?

• What are the greatest sources of worry and distraction in your life? What is your plan this week to remember, repent, and return to your first love?

Passages Referenced for Further Study
Ephesians 6:21-24; Revelation 2:1-7; Matthew 22:37-38; Luke 10:38-42; John 5:39-40; John 15:5; Luke 18:35-43; Ephesians 2:8.