Love First Love: Remember, Repent, Do / Ephesians 6:21-24 / Revelation 2:1-7
The Story of Ephesus
If you have your Bibles, turn to Ephesians chapter 6. We are nearly done with our Ephesians series, and what I would like to do in our time together is wrap it up by looking at the rest of the story.
The church in Ephesus is the most unique church we have in our entire New Testament. There is no church that has more information written about it, and no city that has more biblical detail that we can turn to. We first find the city of Ephesus in the book of Acts. You see the Apostle Paul traveling there, and he spends years in the city. In fact, he sets up shop—a kind of seminary—where he trains individuals who would later plant churches throughout the surrounding region.
Paul developed such a relationship with these people and had such an impact that, as you read in Acts 19, a powerful revival took place. People turned to Christ in such a profound way that they brought all their witchcraft books and burned them in a massive bonfire. The silversmiths who made their living crafting silver idols to worship at the Temple of Artemis were afraid they were going to be run out of business, so they caused a citywide riot. The entire city gathered into the massive theater to try to kill Paul and run him out of town.
Paul had forged a deep bond with the elders of that church. When he was returning from his third missionary journey, on his way to Jerusalem knowing arrest and eventual transport to Rome awaited him, he stopped to visit them for what he knew was likely the last time. It says in the book of Acts that because of his ministry in Ephesus, all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord.
Acts 19:10 (NASB)
This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Approximately five years after that farewell, the letter to the Ephesians was written from the Roman imprisonment Paul had anticipated. We have walked through this book over the last several weeks, and we saw that the first three chapters are about what God has done in us—that He has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
The Pattern of Love in Ephesians
Let’s skip a rock through the book of Ephesians. Get ready to turn pages, because I want you to see a pattern that sets up our big takeaway.
In chapter 1, Paul writes that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, and in love, He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself.
Ephesians 1:3-5 (NASB)
Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
In verses 15 and 16 of chapter 1, Paul says he had heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus and the love they had for all the saints.
Ephesians 1:15-16 (NASB)
For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which [exists] among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention [of you] in my prayers;
In chapter 2, describing the beauty of the gospel, he writes that God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, made us alive together with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses.
Ephesians 2:4-5 (NASB)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
In chapter 3, Paul prays for them. He prays that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith, and that they, being rooted and grounded in love, would be able to comprehend with all the saints the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.
Ephesians 3:17-19 (NASB)
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; [and] that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
In chapters 4 through 6, Paul shifts gears from what God has done in us to what God wants to do through us. In chapter 4, he writes, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:1-2 (NASB)
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
He goes on to say in chapter 4 that God gave equipping roles to the church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to equip the saints so that we would no longer be tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine, but instead would speak the truth in love.
Ephesians 4:14-15 (NASB)
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all [aspects] into Him who is the head, [even] Christ,
He tells them to lay aside the old self and put on the new self, leading into chapter 5: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NASB)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
In verse 18 of chapter 5, he tells us to be filled with the Spirit of God, and because of that, to subject ourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. That mutual submission directly impacts three primary household relationships: our marriages, our families, and our workplaces.
Ephesians 5:18-21 (NASB)
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Then in chapter 6, he reminds us that there is a spiritual battle being fought. Because of that, we must put on the full armor of God so that we can stand firm.
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NASB)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Finally, we reach the conclusion of the letter in verses 23 and 24. Through all of this, Paul concludes: “Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.”
Ephesians 6:23-24 (NASB)
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible [love].
Do you see the pattern? He begins the book with love, and he finishes the book with love. Throughout chapters 1 through 6, twenty different times, he mentions the concept of love. Love began it. Love completed it. Love is sprinkled across every single chapter.
A Shift Toward Doctrine: 1 and 2 Timothy
The story of Ephesus does not end at Ephesians chapter 6. As you continue reading through your Bible, you find other books written to this exact church. First and Second Timothy are pastoral epistles written to Timothy while he was pastoring the church in Ephesus.
Look at how Paul instructs Timothy. The theme of Ephesians was love, love, love. But when Paul writes to Timothy, the young pastor preaching week in and week out to this beloved congregation, the focus shifts toward guarding truth.
In 1 Timothy chapter 1, Paul writes: “As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrine.”
1 Timothy 1:3 (NASB)
As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,
In chapter 4, he says, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching… Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching.”
1 Timothy 4:13-16 (NASB)
Until I come, give attention to the [public] reading [of Scripture], to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be [absorbed] in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
In chapter 5, he notes that elders who rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. In chapter 6, he instructs believers to live with integrity so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against, commanding Timothy to teach and preach these things. If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, he understands nothing.
1 Timothy 6:1-3 (NASB)
All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and [our] doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these [principles]. If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,
Turn over to 2 Timothy, and that pattern intensifies. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul tells him: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
In chapter 3, Paul writes that magnificent passage on Scripture: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
In chapter 4, Paul gives his final charge: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”
2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NASB)
preach the word; be ready in season [and] out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but [wanting] to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
The believers in Ephesus became known for their adherence to the Word of God, their commitment to sound doctrine, and their defense of truth.
After Timothy completed his ministry there, the baton passed to the Apostle John—the disciple whom Jesus loved. John pastored the church in Ephesus, wrote his three epistles from Ephesus, and according to church tradition, was eventually buried there. Approximately thirty years passed. Before John died, he penned one final book: the book of Revelation.
The Final Report Card: Revelation 2
Turn to Revelation chapter 2. Here we find the rest of the story. Revelation chapters 2 and 3 contain seven letters written to seven churches in Asia Minor: Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and the very first one—Ephesus.
In many Bibles, these are red-letter words. These are the direct words of Jesus Christ. Revelation 2 is the final report card on the church of Ephesus, roughly forty years after the book of Ephesians was written. How did they do?
On the outside, they looked fantastic. If you and I were looking for a church, we would want to join this one. Timothy had preached the Word faithfully, they studied to show themselves approved, they stood against false teachers, they refuted heresy, and they defended truth. We would stand and applaud: “Well done! What an incredible, biblical church!”
Look at what Jesus says to them:
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.’”
Revelation 2:1-3 (NASB)
’To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ’I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them [to be] false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
What a commendation! Jesus says, “I know your labor. You stood for truth, you defended doctrine, you confronted false teachers, and you were a watchdog for what is right according to God’s Word. You endured hardship under a heavy load and you never quit.”
They were thoroughly formed by Scripture. They were fed, they knew the truth, and they defended it without question. But look at verse 4:
“‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.’”
Revelation 2:4 (NASB)
’But I have [this] against you, that you have left your first love.
Remember, the theme of Ephesians was love. Twenty times Paul admonished them to understand the love of God—what love does in you, and what love does through you. Jesus says, “You have defended truth and held sound doctrine, but I have one thing against you: you have left your first love.”
The Danger of Cooling Hearts
Notice Jesus does not say they simply “fell out” of love. He says, “You have left your first love.” The word means to give up, to depart, to walk away, to tap out. They waved the white flag and abandoned the passionate devotion they once had.
Their hearts had cooled toward the things of God, and their actions followed. They drifted from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. The passion that once motivated them to love God and love people had shifted.
When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment in all of Scripture, He made it simple: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength; and love your neighbor as yourself. Love God and love people. But for the Ephesians, that was no longer the driving urgency of their lives. Life had become complicated, routine, and sterile.
Think about what this looks like in a human relationship. Think back to when you first fell in love with your spouse or someone you dated. Do you remember the early days? Do you remember the exhilaration when you realized, I am falling in love? When they pulled up, your heart raced. You held hands and felt like a thousand volts were running through your body, sweaty palms and all. You went to dinner and talked for hours. You loved windshield time in the car because you could just talk and connect at a heart level. It kept you up at night, and you woke up thinking about them. Every moment apart felt like an eternity.
What happens over time to so many couples? Those moments of delight become routine. Expected. Over time, a relationship that was once exciting, spontaneous, fun, and romantic—full of notes, gifts, and undivided attention—becomes ordinary and taken for granted.
You can walk into a restaurant today and see couples sitting across from each other spending an entire meal without saying a single word, except, “Can you pass the tea?” They sit in silence, faces glowing in the light of their phones. I want to walk over, quote this verse, and say, “Remember from where you have fallen! Repent, and do the deeds you did at first! If you want to restore your marriage, you have to go back. You have to pursue one another, talk, laugh, and cultivate joy again!” A marriage never gets progressively better by accident; it gets better on purpose.
Remembering Your First Days
What was your spiritual life like when you first came to know Jesus? Can you remember?
Do you remember when you first read the Bible and thought, I have never read anything like this in my life? The words leaped off the page. You read stories of God’s grace and tears welled up in your eyes because you saw yourself in the text. You thought, That’s me. I am the woman caught in adultery. I am the blind man in John 9. I am the broken woman at the well in John 4. That is me, and Jesus rescued me.
Do you remember when you first began to pray? You didn’t know the right theological formulas, so you just prayed, “God, thank You for saving me. This is incredible. I get to be with You forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Do you remember when old friends said, “Hey, where have you been? We haven’t seen you at the bars,” and you answered, “Let me tell you about what Jesus did in my life”?
Do you remember your first Life Group? Someone asked a question, people opened their Bibles, and you thought, This is amazing. You confessed a struggle, and five people immediately said, “We’re going to pray for you right now.”
Do you remember gathering with the church for worship, and when the music started, your heart was so overwhelmed with gratitude that tears flowed freely? You loved memorizing Scripture, inviting friends, and investing in people’s lives.
Then, over time, hearts begin to cool. It is rarely an overnight crash; it is a slow, quiet drift. We stop doing what we used to do. At first, we feel convicted: I really need to read my Bible. I really need to share my faith. But over time, that convicting voice gets quieter and quieter until it becomes background white noise. We get used to living without passion.
Life gets busy. You finish school, start a career, get married, have children, buy a house, take on more expenses, and pick up extra shifts. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years since you last opened your Bible purely for the joy of meeting with God.
We become professional Christians. We know how to act like Christians, vote like Christians, show up on Sunday, and carry our Bibles. We look moral and respectable. But there is no personal devotional life. We are living off of other people’s thoughts about God rather than knowing Him ourselves. Prayer becomes nothing more than a pre-meal ritual: “Lord, bless the calories out of this double-double.”
We stop sharing our faith because all our friends are already Christians, and we don’t make time to build relationships with people who don’t know Jesus. We avoid discipleship because real discipleship is vulnerable. If people get close enough to see the mess inside our lives, our cover will be blown, and we don’t have the energy to deal with it.
Does that sound familiar? Has your heart cooled toward the things of God? Do you look back at your spiritual life and realize your best days are in the past—like looking back at high school yearbooks? “Man, back in 1978 in youth group, I was on fire! In the early eighties, with my peg-rolled pants and my Sony Walkman clipped to my hip, I was sharing Christ everywhere! Twelve years ago when this church started, we were so passionate!”
Sweet memories are wonderful, but memories are not current realities.
The Remedy and the Warning: Remember, Repent, Do
There is an urgency here we cannot afford to miss. Look at the remedy Jesus provides:
“‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.’”
Revelation 2:5 (NASB)
’Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place– unless you repent.
I am never a fan of an “or else” from God Almighty. When the God who spoke the universe into existence says “or else,” we need to tremble.
Jesus says, “Remember from where you have fallen.” Literally, keep on remembering. Call to mind what it was like when your heart was alive to God.
Then He says, “Repent.” Change your mind, change your direction, and turn back to God.
Finally, He says, “Do the deeds you did at first.” Go back to the simple, foundational habits that cultivated your love for Christ.
And what is the warning if we refuse? “I will remove your lampstand out of its place.” The lampstand represents the presence, blessing, and power of God in a church. Jesus is saying, “If your heart remains cold, I will take My blessing down the street to a people who are passionate for Me, who love Me and love people.”
The tragic reality is that a church can lose its lampstand and keep right on meeting. People will still show up, the programs will run, and the music will play, but there will be no spiritual power. No one will be genuinely transformed, no one will be converted, and no one will be discipled. We become nothing more than a social club with a cross on the building.
That terrifies me as a pastor. We can teach sound doctrine, offer great content, and equip people with knowledge, but if we do not love God and love people, we are no better than ancient Ephesus.
Some of you are ablaze for Christ right now. You are walking in vibrant love, sharing the gospel, and discipling others. Keep going! But for many of us, our hearts have cooled.
Where do you go from here? You return to Revelation 2:5.
You remember. You repent. You do the deeds you did at first.
That means getting on your knees and praying real, honest prayers: “God, my heart has grown cold, and I don’t want to live this way anymore.” It means opening your Bible not just to gain information, but crying out, “Lord, renovate my soul through Your Word.” It means joining a Life Group not just to consume, but to show up, pray for others, encourage people, and bring life. It means taking the initiative to disciple someone else and walk alongside them. It means asking God for open doors to share the gospel with your neighbors and coworkers, trusting that when you pray for opportunities, He will provide them.
The church at Ephesus started well, but they lost their heart. May it never be said of us that we had correct doctrine but cold hearts. Let us protect our first love.
Closing Prayer
Father in heaven, I pray that You would cause us to remember from where we have fallen, to repent, and to do the deeds we did at first. May our lives be defined not merely by correct doctrine, but by genuine, overflowing love for You that spills out into love for people.
Lord, if our hearts have grown cold, stir us right now. Awaken us from apathy. Renovate our souls and restore the joy of our salvation. Use us to reach our city, to share Christ boldly, to disciple faithfully, and to reflect Your grace. We love You because You first loved us. We pray all these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.