“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’  Revelation 2:1-7

A. The Head of the church in Ephesus: Rev 2:1-2a

1. The Head of the church and His leaders : Rev. 2:1a
2. The head of the church and His people: Rev. 2:1b
3. The head of the church and His awareness: Rev . 2:2a

B. His commendation to the church at Ephesus: Rev . 2:2 3, 6

Tonight:

C. His condemnation of the church at Ephesus Rev. 2:4

1. What is abandonment (forsaking) of first love?

a) Backslider defined

b) Old Testament examples

Jeremiah 2:1-8; Ezekiel 16:8 -15; Hosea 1:2-3

2. Signs of backsliding

• • Loss of thirst and hunger for the Lord Jesus: Matthew 5:6
  • Loss of appetite for the Word of God: 1 Peter 2:1-3; Job 23:12
  • Loss of spiritual enjoyment of the Lord and His truth: Psalm 63:1-4
  • Loss of relational prayer to encounter the Lord: John 14:21- 23; Revelation 3:20; Jeremiah 29:11 -14
  • Loss of love for other Christians: 1 John 3:16-18
  • Loss of burden for the unsaved: Romans 10:1-4; Matthew 9:36

3. What are the causes of abandonment of first love?: Revelation 2:4

a) Spiritual neglect: Proverbs 24:30-32

• • • Word
    • Prayer
    • Fellowship
    • Obedience

b) Desensitized toward sin: Matthew 24:12

c) Worldliness: 1 John 2:15 -17; 2 Tim. 4:9 -11 , 3:1-5