“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered without quitting.
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you’ve fallen! Turn back to Me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lamp stand from its place among the churches.
But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitians just as I do.” —Revelation 2:2-6
You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling
“The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s Word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.” —Mark 4:18-19 NLT
“You know the commandments: ‘You much not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’
‘Teacher,’ the man replied, ‘I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.’
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. ‘There is still one thing you haven’t done,’ He told him. ‘Go and see all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’” —Mark 10:19-21 NLT
“At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” —Mark 10:22 NLT
“That same day…(the day Jesus rose from the grave)…two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus Himself suddenly came and began talking with them. But God kept them from recognizing Him.
Jesus asked them, ‘What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?’
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Clops, replied, ‘You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.’” —Luke 24:13-18 NLT
“Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.” —Luke 10:40 NLT
“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about.” —Luke 10:41-42 NLT
You can do “all the
“I know all that you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered without quitting.” —Revelation 2:2-3 NLT
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!” —Revelation 2:4 NLT
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” —Matthew 22:37-38 NLT
1.
“Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to Me and do the works you did at first.” —Revelation 2:5 nLT
A church that loses its
“If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lamp stand from its place among the churches.” —Revelation 2:5 NLT
Discussion Questions
Describe a time in your life where you experienced life crowding out love.
Have you ever experienced a time where life crowded out your love for Jesus and your pursuit of relationship with Him? What was it that was gettign in the way
In the scriptures above we see various things crowding out love for Jesus in people’s lives, worries, the allure of wealth, busyness, and even ministry. How can we guard ourselves against this happening in our own lives?
Have you ever experienced the temptation to allow things you do for Jesus to become a substitute for an intimate relationship with Jesus? How can we guard ourselves against this as well?
Why is it so important that we pursue Jesus as our first love? What are some ways we can do this