Title: Church, Love Me!
Text: Revelation 2:1-7
Tracing: Preached 5/20/90 at SDCC.
Topic: First Love
Theme:
Nutshell:
Objectives:
Prim Goal :
Intnd Aud.:
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Intro.:
John's long life - outlived other apostles, preached in Ephesus
for many years - was banished (by Diocletian?) to the isle of
Patmos late in life - while there was praying on the Lord's Day
when Jesus appeared, beginning John's Revelation - Jesus dictated
letters to the seven major churches in the province of Asia.
These feature commendations, condemnations, and cures for the
churches. Some question as to the application of the letters:
- to the actual churches (certain)
- to these characteristics in any church (certain)
- to the ages of History (?) This possibility will become
especially significant when we study the letter to the
Laodiceans.
Ephesus - principle city of Asia (Ephesians named for it)
center of Business, Political Power, Religion. Very idolatrous --
but the church was strong: Paul's 3-yr stay, no "prominent"
problems.
It is to this city that Jesus directs His first letter:
perhaps because of its importance! First & last positions are of
greater importance, linguistically in Greek, in Greek thought, in
common knowledge among communicators (what people remember is the
first and last two minutes of a message). Interesting to note
that the first and last of these letters deal with related
problems, the most insidious of all: Loss of first-love and
Lukewarmness. Both are related to apathy and complacency.
Read Revelation 2:1-7.
Body:
Jesus says,"I know your deeds...". Can be good or bad -- He
knows ours as well.
I. Notice 1st His Commendation v. 1-3
A. Hard work and perseverance v.2a,3
This was not a church prone to "throw in the towel". They
were hard working and persistent. Not daunted by labor
(the work of evangelism is hard) or hardships. They must
have been a model of consistency - always trying to
advance the kingdom.
B. Hatred of false teaching v.2b
They investigated the claims and debunked those claiming
equal authority with the apostles. This was surely not a
claim to be among the original Twelve but instead either a
claim to have been appointed later, probably with a
miraculous appearance (as Paul) or to be successors to the
Twelve. Either could be investigated and this was done.
We say, "Yes, this relates! I've worked hard, etc." but
then...
II. Notice also His Criticism: They had lost their first love! v.4
- For God (most suppose)
Remember the excitement of your earlier Christian
life? Was there a time when you had more joy, more
enthusiasm, a greater desire to study and share with
others? If so, you must take care to rekindle it -- its
loss is a disappointment to God and, uncorrected, a death
sentence to the church!.
- (or) For Brethren (and, necessarily, for God)
This would corrupt, destroy, and disprove their love
for God! See I Jn. 4:20-21! It is possible that the very
trait for which they were commended, when allowed to get
out of balance, led to their problem. Isn't it likely
that in their commendable hatred of false teaching they
gradually began to hate the false teachers and those who,
in deception, followed them? This would lead to
divisiveness and a lack of love! THIS IS A DANGER TO ALL
THOSE WHO ARE ZEALOUS IN THE DEFENSE OF TRUTH! There is
the tendency to want to condemn those that are deceived or
are deceivers instead of to correct them. THERE MUST BE
BALANCE! We need to hate the teaching but not the teacher
or the deceived.
III. There is a Cure. v.5
1. REMEMBER - Recall what things were like at first. Remember
your excitement, your hunger for His word, your view of the
church, your trust in Him. Remember what you did, said, and
thought.
2. REPENT - Recognize and turn from your shortcomings. Give
them up!
3. REPEAT - Return to your deeds of the past: do the things
you did and think the way you thought and that will lead to
feeling the way you felt.
FAILURE TO RECOVER FIRST-LOVE LEADS TO THE DEATH OF THE
CHURCH!
Conc.:
Comments:
Prepared by Scott L. Purcell
Minister of Stokelan Drive Christian Church
1501 Stokelan Drive
Malden, MO 63863
(314) 276-2343
Reproduce, modify, and use freely
for the glory of God and the Growth of the Kingdom!
If these outlines are of some benefit to you,
a note, postcard, or phone-call would be most welcome!
Index of Preacher's Help and Notes
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