Listen to last week’s sermon : The Seven Letters to the Seven Churches Unveiled – Revelation 2:1-7 (The Church in Ephesus)

Pastor Eric’s latest sermon marks the beginning of a powerful new series, “The Seven Letters to the Seven Churches Unveiled.” Drawing from the mysterious and often misunderstood Book of Revelation, this series aims to make sense of the ancient messages Jesus sent to seven real churches in Asia Minor—what is now modern-day Turkey—almost 2,000 years ago.But why does this matter today? Because, as Pastor Eric made clear, these letters are not just historical curiosities. They are living words from Jesus, speaking across time to challenge, encourage, and awaken today’s church. By the end of this series, Pastor Eric promises, “you are going to be all revved up”—not just more knowledgeable, but more passionate and alive in your faith.

Why Study the Seven Letters in the book of Revelation?

a, Direct Words from Jesus

Each letter is dictated by Jesus Himself, post-ascension, to communities facing real struggles and opportunities.

b, Contextual Relevance

Written to actual churches at the end of the first century, these letters address universal issues—faithfulness, compromise, love, perseverance, and spiritual vitality.

c, Timeless Application

Although the situations were unique, the spiritual truths and challenges are as relevant now as they were then.

The Two Universal Calls of Jesus’ Letters

Every single letter—regardless of location, strengths, or struggles—contains two unchanging calls from Jesus:

1. A Call to Listen:
   “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
   This is not a passive suggestion, but a clear command to pay attention! What the Spirit says is vital for spiritual health, both individually and corporately.

2. A Call to Overcome:
   Jesus challenges each church to be victorious, to conquer the obstacles in their path, and to remain faithful no matter what.

The Letter to Ephesus – A Model Church with a Hidden Flaw

Ephesus – A Spiritual Powerhouse

Ephesus was no ordinary church. It had a rich spiritual heritage:

• Taught by Paul, Apollos, Timothy, and John himself.
• Experienced radical revival—converts publicly burned occult books worth millions (Acts 19:19).
• The city was a battleground where the light of Christ pushed back the darkness of idolatry and witchcraft.

What Jesus Commends:

1. Hard Work & Tireless Service

   Jesus acknowledges their toil—not just casual volunteering, but exhausting, sacrificial labor for the Kingdom.

   “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance…”

2. Steadfast Endurance Under Pressure

   Despite persecution, social rejection, and hardship, they did not grow weary. Their loyalty to Christ was unwavering.

3. Doctrinal Vigilance

   Ephesus refused to be deceived by false apostles. They tested teachings and discerned truth from error.
   In an age of confusion, they stood firm in biblical doctrine.

4. Moral Integrity & Hatred for Evil

   They did not tolerate evil among themselves or compromise with sinful practices. Especially, they refused to follow the teachings of the Nicolaitans, who promoted moral and spiritual compromise with the surrounding culture.

What Jesus Corrects:

Despite these strengths, Jesus issues a piercing rebuke:

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”

This is a sobering warning: It is possible to do all the right things, serve faithfully, believe sound doctrine, and yet lose the passionate love that once fueled your faith.

The Danger of Losing Your First Love

What is “First Love”?

• It’s not just emotion, but devotion.
  The Ephesians’ early works weren’t mere obligations; they were expressions of deep love for Jesus and for people.
• It’s the difference between duty and delight.
  Serving God out of love is joyful and life-giving; serving out of routine or obligation leads to spiritual dryness.

How Can First Love Be Abandoned?

• Spiritual Drift: Over time, busyness and good works can replace intimacy and personal devotion.
• Neglecting Relationship for Religion: Ministry can become mechanical; faith can become formulaic.
• Allowing Distractions and Idols: When other things take center stage, love for Christ grows cold.

Consequences of Lost Love

Jesus’ warning is clear:

“If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

• Loss of Influence: Without love, the church loses its spiritual light and impact.
• Loss of Authentic Witness: God would rather have no church than a loveless, routine-driven one.

Practical Steps to Rekindle First Love

Pastor Eric outlined six biblical ways to restore and deepen your love for God:

1. Refocus on God Himself

   • Make God—not just ministry or circumstances—the center of your attention.
   • Reflect on His character, goodness, and faithfulness.
     (“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…” Psalm 103:2)
   • Remember how He saved, provided, and loved you.

2. Ask God to Rekindle Your Love

   • Prayer is key. Like the apostles who asked, “Increase our faith!” we can pray, “Increase my love for You.”
   • Trust the Holy Spirit to pour out God’s love in your heart (Romans 5:5).

3. Be a Doer, Not Just a Hearer

   • Genuine love expresses itself in obedience.
     (“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15)
   • Let your actions match your words of love for God.

4. Serve Others in Love

   • Every act of kindness is service to Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40).
   • Love for God is demonstrated by loving and serving others.

5. Remove Idols

   • Examine your heart: what competes for your affection?
     (“Do not love the world or the things in the world…” 1 John 2:15)
   • Make God your supreme treasure.

6. Delight Yourself in the Lord

   • Cultivate joy in God’s presence and find satisfaction in Him (Psalm 37:4).
   • Joy deepens love.

Examining Ourselves: Personal Reflection Questions

• Am I serving God out of routine or out of love?
• Do my actions reflect a deep, ongoing relationship with Jesus?
• Have I allowed busyness, ministry, or disappointments to cool my passion for Christ?
• What practical steps can I take this week to rekindle my first love?

The challenge for us is not just to maintain good works or right doctrine, but to keep love for Jesus at the center of everything we do. This is how churches shine, how believers influence the world, and how faith remains vibrant and alive.

Listen the sermon here: