Last Sunday, we began a journey through the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, seeking to understand anew what God desires for our New Sharon Church in this present age. Our first stop on this journey was the church in Ephesus. The Ephesian church was a significant one, where the Apostle Paul ministered for three years and where the Apostle John spent his later years. They received both praise and rebuke from the Lord.

First, the Lord commended the Ephesian church for their hard work and perseverance (Rev. 2:2). They didn’t tolerate evil people and tested those who falsely claimed to be apostles, exposing their deception. They also endured hardship for the sake of His name and didn’t grow weary. This is truly something for our church to emulate today. We must stand firm in the truth against the temptations and false teachings of the world, quietly dedicating ourselves to the Lord’s kingdom and righteousness.

However, the Lord also delivered a heartbreaking rebuke to the Ephesian church: “You have forsaken your first love” (Rev. 2:4). They had lost that fervent love for the Lord they once had—that passion for the Gospel, that earnest longing for lost souls. Perhaps their initial zeal had cooled, and they were going through the motions of their faith out of a sense of duty. This is the most crucial warning for our church today.

Friends, the Lord’s message to the Ephesian church, though delivered two millennia ago, speaks just as powerfully to us today. Have we truly kept our first love?

1. A Church That Recovers Its First Love:We need to rekindle our burning love for the Lord. This love should be the driving force behind all our worship, service, and daily lives. Let’s deepen our personal relationship with Him, spending intimate time in His presence so we can be filled once more with His love.
2. A Church Firmly Rooted in Truth:Just as the Ephesian church discerned false apostles, we too must stand firm on God’s Word amidst the many cults and unbiblical teachings prevalent today. Let’s devote ourselves to meditating on the Word and praying, seeking spiritual wisdom to discern truth from error.
3. A Church That Practices Love Through Action:The Lord told the Ephesian church to “do the works you did at first” (Rev. 2:5) to recover their first love. Our faith isn’t just head knowledge; it must be expressed through acts of love in our daily lives. We need to step up our efforts in serving our neighbors, caring for the marginalized, and sharing the Gospel.
4. A Humble Heart to Repent and Turn Back:The Lord urged the Ephesian church to “remember from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first” (Rev. 2:5). We constantly need to examine ourselves, humbly acknowledge our shortcomings, repent, and turn back to Him. We must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in continuous transformation and growth.

Friends, the Lord warns us that even if our church has commendable faith and dedication like the Ephesian church, we can still lose our first love. Let’s take this warning to heart. My sincere prayer is that each of us will rekindle our fervent love for the Lord, and on that foundation, obey His Word, becoming a church that truly shines as light and salt in this world.

May this message inspire our New Sharon Church to become a living testament to God