THE FRAILTY OF FADED LOVE
Revelation 2:1-7

Introduction:     The letters to the seven churches can be interpreted 3 different ways:  Prophetically, (Church history - Pentecost to 100 A.D.); Practically, (to a literal church, and to individual churches throughout history); Personally, (To every believer.)  These seven messages should speak to each individually as well as to the needs of this church here. It was here that Paul founded the church in Ephesus , Acts 18. He spent 3 years here preaching and training the people; Apollos preached here, Acquila and Priscilla ministered here; the church was pastored by Timothy and later by John. This was a church that was greatly blessed by much spiritual light. Yet, there was a problem. Jesus came to them and diagnosed them as cold and fallen. Verse 1 identifies the speaker as Jesus. He is walking in His church seeing and judging. We are reminded that He is in full control. The desire of every Christian should be to love the Lord completely. It is possible to be devoted to the church and not be intimately in love with Jesus. Jesus made several observations about this church.

 

I.          A SUPREME COMPLIMENT (VV.1-3)

            A.        This Church Was Faithful (2a)

Jesus commended:

bulletTheir Service – “works” = toils and deeds. They were busy. One of the greatest joys of knowing Jesus is the privilege to serve Him!
bulletTheir Sacrifice – “labor” = working to the point of exhaustion. (Illus: today, never have so few done so much so that so many can sit)
bulletTheir Steadfastness – “patience” = endurance; courage in the face of hard work and opposition. (Illus: the life time activity of most Christians today wouldn’t exhaust a hummingbird.

B.         This Church Was Fundamental (2b-3)

In the Church and the Community:

bulletThey Had Standards (2b; 6) – “Nicolaitanes” = from compound Greek “nikao” = to conquer and “ laos ” = the people. Conquering the people, Nicolas of Antioch apostatized from the truth and formed a Gnostic cult which taught, among other doctrines, that one must indulge in sin in order to understand it. They gave themselves over to sensuality etc. The church at Ephesus hated it. The church at Pergamos later would tolerate it.
bulletThey Were Stable – Being Fundamental (on a firm and true foundation) will produce stability because it is based on God’s Word! You had to believe and practice the Bible if you taught in this church.

 

II.         A STRONG COMPLAINT (V.4)
There are signs that warn us that our love for Jesus may be fading:

            A.        When The Vitality Of Our Passion Is Gone

They were a saved and a serving people, but their motives for service were wrong. (Illus: prestige, position, reputation, duty, fear)  Love is the only worthwhile motive!

bulletThey Had Lost The Honeymoon Love - (2 Cor 11:2) "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." Remember the excitement of salvation? Where is it?)
bulletLike Martha (Lk.10), they were so busy they had no time for Jesus. We give Him our heads and our hands, but not our hearts.
bulletLack Of Love Is Plain To See. It manifests itself in several ways: Enthusiasm, Attendance, Joy, Witnessing, Praise, Study, Prayer - all these suffer when you have a cold heart toward the Lord!

B.         When The Validity Of Our Profession Is Gone

Jesus declares that they have fallen. They lack that closeness to Him they had.  Outwardly, they looked impressive, but inwardly, their works were fake. They came from a wrong and warped motive! (Illus: Shields - 1 Kings.14:25-27 – Have you settled for a cheap imitation?) Do you have the head but not the heart, the message but not the meaning, the facts but not the fire?

 

III.       A STERN COMMAND (V.5)
The 3 R’s

A.        Remember

Keep on remembering (Illus: prodigal in the hog pen)

            B.         Repent

A change of mind and direction (of our phoniness-you cannot worship with dirt and filth in your life)

            C.        Return

When you return to your first love you’ll do the first works!

 

Conclusion:       Is your love what it ought to be? Why do you do what you do? After all He has done for us, how can we not love Him? God is interested in what we do for Him, but far more interested in what we do with Him.