Pastor Dan Southern 5/30/04 a.m.

Centreville Community Church

Title: Your First Love

Text: Revelation 2: 1- 7

There are three ways to interpret the seven messages to the churches of Asia.

1. Prophetically

2. Practically

3. Personally

A. His Preeminence

Revelation 2:4

B. Our Priorities

Matthew 23:37

C. A Powerful church - Ephesians

Acts 18:24 birthed by Apollos

Acts 18:26 bold leaders such as Aquila and Priscilla

Acts 19:1, 2 their belief broaden by Apostle Paul

Acts 19:11 Acts 19: 17 – 19

“The epistle to the Ephesians is generally acknowledged to be one of the richest and most profound of the New Testament epistles. The depth and the grandeur of its concepts, the richness and fullness of its message, and the majesty and dignity of its content have made it precious to believers in all ages.”

----The New Compact Bible Dictionary, Zondervan Publishing House, P.153

“The letter to the Ephesians ranks very high in devotional and theological literature of the Christian Church. It has been called ‘The Queen of the Epistles”.

--- William Barclay’s Commentary on Ephesians, The Daily Bible Study Series, P. 61

I. APPROVAL: THE FAITHFUL WORKS OF THE CHURCH. VS. 1- 3

A. They were standing up to the task. Vs. 2

1. They were a serving church. Vs. 2

2. They were a sacrificing church.

a. They preformed labor. Vs. 2

b. They possessed patience. Vs. 2

c. They were praised for their hard work. Vs. 3

d. They were not phased by opposition. Vs. 3

B. They were standing up for the truth_.

1. They had been steadfast. Vs. 2

2. They had been separated. Vs. 2, 7

C. They were standing up to the test.

ll. ACCUSATION: THE FATAL WEAKNESS OF THE CHURCH. VS. 4, 5

A. The vitally of their passion was gone.

1. They had lost their honeymoon love.

2. They had become like Martha. (Luke 10:40)

B- eing

U- nder

S- atan’s

Y-oke

3. Lack of love is plain to see.

B. The vitally of their profession was gone.

1. They had forgotten.

2. They had fallen.

*Hebrews 13:17

lll. ADMONITION: THE FORCEFUL WARNING TO THE CHURCH. Vs.5b – 7

A. Our love for Him must be absolutely paramount.

Jeremiah 2:2

There are four things Jesus said they needed to consider.

1. REMEMBER

2. REPENT

3. REPEAT

a. Restore

b. Renew

c. Revive

4. REMOVAL

No love – no light

B. Our love must be absolutely personal.

* Please look up this verse

HOW WILL I APPLY THIS MESSAGE TO MY LIFE?