Back to The Love Which Originally

Revelation 2:1-7

I. Background of the Church of Ephesus

Ephesus at that time was the city with a population of 250,000 to 300,000 lives and has the largest port in Asia Minor. In this city there is the famous temple with the name of the temple of Goddess Artemis. Church of Ephesus begins with the number of members of 12 persons - Acts of the Apostles 19:1-12. They are so passionate, enthusiastic, thirsty and hungry for the truth of God's word.

Through the ministry of Paul, they experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, spirit manifestations, spiritual gifts to function optimally, be diligent in teaching and is eager to evangelism. Through the Ephesians this is the gospel preached to the whole of Asia. It is estimated that the Church of Ephesus is 40 years old when the Lord Jesus Christ deliver this letter by the apostle John. From here we see there has been a change of generations.

This new generation is different from its predecessor generation. A very striking about this new generation is their love lives. First love who had lived and passed down by previous generations to them, they left behind.

II. What is Meant by Love that originally? Why Jesus Christ questioning it? What is it about first love, so that Jesus Christ Ephesians correct this?

First, first love, namely: when the Lord Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit to touch our hearts, then there is a longing that high, there is tremendous thirst and there is a deep hunger of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.

Second, love is pure and sincere, that is: love the Lord Jesus Christ without contaminated by personal desires, by covert interests, there is only life and serve to please the Lord Jesus.

Third, unconditional love, that is: love with a straight and true motivation for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and not steal the glory for themselves.

Fourth, a love that no calculation of gains and losses, namely: to present the best for the Lord Jesus Christ from our lives by not counting what's in it for us.

Fifth, love unconditionally, that is: no matter what and how our circumstances, it will not affect our love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sixth, a burning love, that is: to forgive, pray, bless the enemy, returning evil with kindness and our words are the words that became a blessing for others.

Seventh, a love that is expressed, namely: as the Lord Jesus Christ because of His own love toward us, He willingly gave His life for us, so does our love for the brethren.

III. Why did the Lord Jesus Christ Denouncing the Church of Ephesus?

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" - ​​Revelation 2:4. What are the main trigger so that the Ephesians originally left her love? In the case when we read in verses 2-3 we find the church of Ephesus was commended by the Lord Jesus Christ.
They still continue to serve God, they hate and impatient with the wicked, they reveal the teachings lies from people who call themselves apostles, willing to suffer for the name of Jesus. Their militancy for God is not in doubt. Their love for the uncompromising truth of the Gospel. In fact, they criticized the false teachers and unload their error, both in terms of teaching and morality.

But God corrects and severely rebuked the church of Ephesus because there are deficiencies which, according to God's perspective fatal, that they left the first love. Leaving the first love or love to be cool instead of pointing to the erosion of love for God. Due to the Ephesians is still keen to serve. They still maintain the truth of the Gospel. Even those still willing to suffer persecution for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In fact it turns out all they did was only a routine and as a responsibility. It's no longer based on love of the Lord Jesus Christ. They do all that simply performing their duties and obligations that must be met.
According to the Ephesians they have undergone all the demands of duty and their duty as God's people. For them it was satisfying and pleasing to God.

But they forget that the essence of the demands of God, namely the love of God as a basic service and their sacrifice. Jesus' question to Peter is not about whether Peter is responsible to Jesus. But Jesus' question to Peter if you love me? What about us as servants? Do we serve God out of love or simply as a duty and responsibility? What about church? Do come worship, read Scripture, pray, love offering is based on the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, or as a routine.

IV. How to Return to Love that originally?

First, perform diagnostics through introspection and self-reflection - paragraph 5a. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen!" We will not be able to know how deeply we have fallen, unless we compare the situation before falling and the current state after a fall

Peace / joy that once existed, but now vanished. Life of prayer / quiet time the former was so sweet, but now a bland / tasteless. Our longing for the word of God and the joy we experience in learning the word of God is so great at first, but now a faded. Our spirit in serving the Lord / to find the soul who once was so enthusiastic, ardent, but now we just go out and service obligations are a routine and just.

Second, take steps sincere repentance - paragraph 5b: "Repent!". So far, we understand that Christians are called 'fall' if caught with the problem of adultery, immorality, financial and indecent acts. However, apparently in the eyes of God when we are not in a position of first love, then in his sight, we also have fallen away to repent and return to first love. It is a time where we re-do the general check-up our spiritual. Is the love of Christ still remains the basis and foundation of our main in serving, doing God's work, worship, offering something for the ministry work of the Lord?

Third, turn and do come back that have been abandoned - 5c verse: "and do again what you originally did."

Fourth, be aware there is a serious threat - paragraph 5d: "If not, I will come to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." If we ignore this warning and refused to repent and return to first love , then the Lord Jesus Christ will take the "lampstand" from its place. The point is that the presence and glory of Christ is no longer in the fellowship / worship of His people. Although the church still exists in the pulpit, chairs, Soud-system, worship schedule, activities of worship, the congregation is still there, the pastor is still there, but the legs are not diannya.

Fifth, to hate what God hates Jesus Christ - verse 6: "But this that is in thee, that thou hate the followers of all these works Nicholas, who I hate." We are told to hate what God hates and love what God loves and do what God wants us to do.

V. Cover

"And my people, which it called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes open and my ears attentive to prayer from this place "- 2 Chron. 7:14-15.