2. The First Love Revelation 2:4

3. The Church at Ephesus  A brief visit & promise (Acts 18:19-21)  The beginning of the church (Acts 19:1-10)  A later meeting of Paul and the elders (Acts 20:16-38)  A letter written to them (Ephesians)  Recipients of a letter in Revelation (Rev. 2:1-8)

4. The Problem at Ephesus  They had “left your first love”  “Left.” Thayer says, 1) “to send away”, 2) “to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person”, 3) “to leave, go away from one”  “First.” Thayer says, 1) “first in time or place”, 2) “first in rank”, 3) “first, at the first”  “Love.” Agape, the highest form and expression of love in the Scriptures. Beyond affection and fondness

5.  Disappointing in light of previous remarks (Eph. 4:24; 5:1, 20-21; 6:6)  What was the first love?  Is it: Hospitality to strangers? Affectionate care of the poor saints? Concern for the flock? The maintaining of church discipline? Interpersonal relationships between brethren?

6.  They had abandoned their love for God  Based on Matthew 22:37-40  When this is abandoned, obedience is eliminated (1 Jn. 5:3)

7. The Solution and Our Lesson  The solution (v. 5)  Remember “The lever of repentance is memory” (Harkrider) The prodigal son (Lk. 15:17-21)  Repent Godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10) “…repent, turn to God, …” (Acts 26:20, NKJV)  Return Do the “first works” as when you faithfully served God Be determined to do His will (Acts 20:32)

8.  Our lesson  Heed the warnings and examples in God’s word Avoid developing an “evil heart of unbelief” (Heb. 3:12) A worse end (2 Peter 2:20-22)  Observe the things commanded Jesus demanded this (Matt. 28:20) Perseverance counts (Rev. 1:3) Dividends are eternal (Rev. 22:14)