Doing the right stuff for all the wrong reasons

First Love, Part I - A Church Called Ephesus

December 09, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Recap: Welcome back to Theophilus. Today we are beginning a new series detailing the tragedy of what happens when the Church forgets her identity.

Missed previous emails in the series? No worries, you can read all the emails we sent online by clicking here.

I have a time-honored summer tradition.

Reading a different book that covers all of Church history.

I know, my summers are real ragers.

A Complex Reputation

Reading Church history is important for any follower of Jesus but, boy, can it be a drag.

One second you’re reading about a bunch of brave men and women being persecuted for refusing to submit to Rome…

…and the next you’re reading about “Christian” armies slaughtering women and children in the name of “reclaiming the Holy Land.”

Clearly, something changed.

The Crusades mixed Christian imagery with the militant in ways still fresh in our minds.

It’s no secret that many are cautious of the Church, with a good number citing it as a place where they’ve experienced abuse and trauma.

Ironic isn’t it?

After all, isn’t the Church supposed to be the body of Christ? His representatives to a fallen world? Yet there’s often a disconnect between the followers and the Man Himself.

Such a disconnect can be traced back to one point: A lack of love.

Ephesus

Here’s a case study from the early Church…

In the opening of the book of Revelation, John of Patmos writes on behalf of Christ to seven churches in Asia Minor. He’s got a different message for each, some good, some not so good.

Of specific interest to us is the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2v1-7).

Artist’s rendering of Ephesus in its heyday.

Though beginning with compliments, Jesus’ address to the Ephesians shifts in verse 4…

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.

He continues…

Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Jesus is telling them to shape up, reunite with the love they once showed, or risk losing their identity as His followers.

It’s no joke.

In this series, we’re going to examine why this “first love” is so important and vital to keeping the Church healthy. We’ll go down some tough roads but, like reading Church history, I trust that a strong understanding will lead to stronger followers of Jesus.

So, please join us tomorrow as we probe deeper into the meaning of love itself.

Application: What do you think makes a church “successful”? Write down your responses and reflect on them as we continue in this series.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

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