23/11/2025
Topic:DO NOT FORSAKE YOUR FIRST LOVE.
TEXT:Rev 2:15
Preacher: Brother Samuel
Message
Jesus praised the church in Ephesus for many good deeds that they have done and still do. However,he noticed that they have forsaken their first love. By "first love", Jesus would have been referring two things.
1. The very first way they demonstrated their zeal and love for God was when they got saved.
2. The works which are of utmost priority to God in his plans and purpose. Matt 6:33.
*THE FIRST LOVE OF THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS*
The church in Ephesus was introduced to us in the Bible from Acts 18:24-Acts 19:20. And we can note that a few things that characterised the church.
1. They were genuinely saved. They were not half in and half out. They got in with a whole-hearted Faith in Jesus. Acts 19:18-20
2. They were spirit filled church. And they had the gifts of the spirit and working among them. Acts 19:26,Eph 5:18-20
3. They were committed to daily attendance at church for two years and were properly discipled. Acts 19:9-10
4. They were on fire for EVANGELISM. In two years. Everyone in their city and beyond had heard the gospel. Acts 19:10-20
*SOME SYMPTOMS THAT YOU HAVE LOST YOUR FIRST LOVE*
1. When your obedience and service to God are no longer motivated by love and zeal for God, but rather by desire for self gain,self recognition, and self glorification must remain the motive. 1 cor 13:1-2
2. When you have lost burden for souls and for soul winning. Rom 9:1-3,Rom 10:1
3. When you are no longer driven with fire to evangelize,and you have stopped evangelizing. Matt6:33 &Mk 16:15-20
4. When you have stopped making obedience to God a priority in your life and have rather embraced comfort, convenience and personal gain above obedience to God.2 Tim 4:10 & Lk 9:62
5. When you have started permitting the work of the flesh in your life. Gal 5:22-24
*DANGERS OF LOSING YOUR FIRST LOVE*
1. Unfruitfulness JN 15:4, PLm1:1-5, PLm 92:13-14
2. Discarded and substituted-God has substitutes. His work must be done. But he is willing to change a vessel that refuses to co-operate with plans and purposes. When Saul falled God raised David. When Eli falled God called Samuel; When Judas falled he was replaced with Matthias. Revelations 2:5
3. Many are going to hell because we fall to preach the gospel.
*CONCLUSION*
1cor.10:12- take heed so as not to lose your fire and forsake your first love. And if you have lost it, there is always hope. Jesus can and wants to help you rediscover your first love. May you not lose your crown and reward.