Who Do You Love?

Revelation 2. Today and tomorrow we'll see Christ's messages to the churches. The first one is Ephesus. Perhaps no church in history had as rich a heritage as the congregation at Ephesus. The gospel was introduced into the city by Paul's close friends Priscilla and Aquila in Acts 18. They were soon joined by the dynamic preacher Apollos, and thus these three laid the groundwork for Paul, and he spent about three years ministering there (Acts 19). Ephesus means 'desired one', and this was one of the most desirable of all the churches throughout church history. Why? Because it was characterized by evangelism and fundamentalism. In fact they probably helped start the other six churches mentioned here in chapters two and three. And Jesus commends them for their work and dedication.
But here comes the turn around word "nevertheless" in 2:4. This hardworking, separated, dedicated, enduring church suffered from heart trouble. This fundamental church had become the 'formal' church. They got so busy doing the work of the Kingdom, they didn't have any time for the King! The Greek here is emphatic: "Your first love you have left!" Notice, He doesn't say they lost their first love, but that they left it. I tell couples whose marriages are on the rocks that you don't fall in love. You fall into a hole. Love is a choice! And if you don't fall into love, then you don't fall out of love. It's a choice. Love is a choice-positively and a neglect-negatively. If you don't nurture that love in a devoted relationship, i.e. you neglect it, then you will drift away and leave your first love. Remember what Jesus asked Peter in John 21? "Peter do you love Me? Feed My sheep." Not Peter do you love ministry....but Peter do you love Me? If you love Christ, you'll do ministry. But if you love ministry, you'll end up leaving your first love. That's what Ephesus was guilty of. Don't you be! Don't let your love grow cold for Jesus.