When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, the Church was vibrant, rich in doctrine, and marked by love. When Jesus wrote to them, it was a different story.

Our text in this study is: Revelation 2:1-7

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You’ve Left That First Love Feelin’ (Revelation 2:1-7) | Calvary Chapel Bible Study

In this Bible study (Revelation 2:1-7), we look at the message of Jesus to the Church in Ephesus—a crucial word for every Christian believer today. The city of Ephesus, a vibrant hub of the Roman world, was home to a church once praised by the Apostle Paul for its fervent faith in Jesus and love for all the saints (Ephesians 1:15).

But by 95 AD, when Jesus sent them a letter, something vital had faded. The Ephesians were doctrinally sound, diligent in service, and rightly rejected false teachers like the Nicolaitans, yet they were guilty of a terrible spiritual error: leaving their first love (Revelation 2:4).

What does it mean to lose this first love? We explore the rich bridal imagery that defines the Church’s intimate relationship with her Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. From the Greek meaning of “Ephesus” (darling) to the Holy Spirit as our engagement ring (arrabon in Ephesians 1:14), and Paul’s teaching on Christ and the Church as husband and wife (Ephesians 5:22-33), the message is clear: first love is the devoted, intimate affection of espousal to our Savior.

The danger for the busy believer is that correct orthodoxy and tireless Christian service can mask a heart that has grown cold or spiritually apathetic. Jesus, who walks among the seven golden lampstands (representing the Churches), knows their works and their perseverance, but He addresses their core problem: the missing heart.

This sermon is a deep dive into Jesus’ call to repentance: “Remember… repent and do the first works” (Revelation 2:5). We explore the joy of repentance and revisit what those “first and best days of piety” felt like—the joy, the freedom from the weight of sin, the feeling of being adopted into God’s family. Whether you grew up in a Christian home or came out of the “far country,” the challenge is the same: to move from simply hearing about Jesus to seeing Him with new eyes (Job 42:5).

The threat of the Nicolaitans (mixing truth with immoral behavior and compromise) reminds us: when your passion for Christ wanes, your guard against deception falls.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7). Don’t miss this Gospel message and powerful encouragement to finish strong and rekindle your deep, personal devotion to Jesus.

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