Jan. 25, 2026

Pastor Chad delivered a message about the church at Ephesus from Revelation 2:1-7, emphasizing the danger of losing our first love for Christ while maintaining religious activity. The church at Ephesus was commended for their works, endurance, and discernment, but Jesus had one critical issue against them - they had abandoned their first love. The pastor warns against spiritual coldness that comes from belief without affection, and the modern tendency to compromise biblical truth with cultural acceptance, referencing the Nicolaitans who twisted Christianity to fit worldly standards.

The solution Jesus provides is threefold: remember where you've fallen from, repent of your coldness, and return to doing the works you did at first. Pastor Chad emphasizes that revival must begin in individual hearts, not just in church services. He challenges the congregation to examine whether their neighbors and coworkers know they are genuine believers, not just cultural Christians. The message calls for uncompromising biblical truth while maintaining love for God and others, preparing the church for upcoming revival services.

Key Verses: Revelation 2:1-7; Romans 6:1-2

Key Takeaways

• You can be busy doing religious work while still drifting away from your love for Christ
• Jesus sees not just our activity but where our affections truly lie
• Revival begins with individual hearts remembering, repenting, and returning to first love
• Compromise with worldly culture is something Jesus hates, and believers must stand firm on biblical truth
• True love for God results in joyful obedience, natural witness, and authentic worship

Application & Reflection

Take time each day to remember what your relationship with Christ was like when you first believed. Ask God to show you any areas where you've grown cold or compromised. Choose one specific way to demonstrate your love for Christ that you may have neglected - whether it's spending more time in prayer, sharing your faith with someone, or serving others. Don't wait for feelings to change; take action steps to return to your first love.

• What does it mean to 'abandon the love you had at first' and how might this happen gradually in a believer's life?
• The Ephesian church was doing many things right - they had good works, endurance, and discernment. Why wasn't this enough for Jesus?
• How can we distinguish between genuine love for God versus just going through the motions of religious activity?
• What are some modern examples of how churches or believers might compromise biblical truth to fit cultural expectations?
• Pastor Chad mentioned the three R's: Remember, Repent, and Return. How would you apply each of these to your own spiritual life?
• What does it look like practically to 'hate the works' of compromise while still showing love to people who are living in sin?
• How can we tell if our faith has become too private or disconnected from our daily lives and relationships?
• What would returning to your 'first love' look like in your personal relationship with Christ today?