Sunday, January 3, 2016
11:42 AM

"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:  "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;  and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.  But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." '
Revelation 2:1-3, 5-7 NKJV

At Ephesua Paul prayed for 12 believers to be filled with holy spirit.
Longest period Paul stayed. Most fruitful ministry of Paul. Unusual miracles by Paul.
Act 18

1861 Paul wrote to Ephesus.

What we are becoming is more important than what we are doing.
One thing to start well another to end well.
Ephesus had love deficit. Left the first love.

How to restore first love?
Will power is insufficient to get us to anywhere.
Are you thinking of Jesus day and night
3 steps to return to first love:
1) remember from where you have fallen
First love is the position where we are in when we are in love with the Lord
2) repent - change of mindset and lifestyle
3) do the first works
- v2 of revelation chap 2
Whatever works we are doing are not the first work.

**1st works are
1) Prayers
2) read the words of God
3) worship - obedience and sacrifice
When no one is watching

Have you learn to love?

Song of songs 8:6, 7

Jealousy - God is a jealous God
Wealth cannot compared to the one you love

God is love.
His heart is love. His love is described as fire
Love of God is shed upon us by the holy ghost

Abandment of all for the love that abandoned all.
Israel depended on God in the wilderness.