Love or Die

Christ’s Wake-up Call
Revelation 2:1-7
The Problem of Lost Love
Rev 2:2-3, 6 "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; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary… 6 this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Commendable qualities..
They worked hard
Endured trials and opposition
No tolerance for loose lifestyles
Testing false teachers/apostles
Persevered and not grown weary
Still something was wrong..
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 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.
When a church lacks love..
Motivation is missing..
2 Cor 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him..
Eph 3:17-19 that you.. may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge..
Why love is so essential..
The first commandment (Deut 6:5)
Relationship of Christ and church (Eph 5:25)
Relationship within Godhead (John 17:24)
All commandments summed up (Luke 10:25-37)
Jesus gave a new standard (John 13:34-35)
All else w/o love is nothing..
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Christ’s remedy..
REMEMBER from where you have fallen
See the reality of our condition
REPENT
Godly sorrow over its failure
DO THE FIRST WORKS
Do the deeds of love it once did
How to Cultivate Love..
Study love..
John 15:9-10 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
1 Cor 14:1 Pursue love..
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works..
How to Cultivate Love..
Pray for love..
Eph 3:18-19 that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
1 Thess 3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you..
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment..

How to Cultivate Love..
Learn to express love..
Put it into words…
Matthew 3:17 "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
John 15:9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you..
How to Cultivate Love..
Express heartfelt love..
Philemon 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
Philippians 1:7-8 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.


How to Cultivate Love..
Show physical signs of affection..
1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
1 Peter 1:22 love one another fervently with a pure heart.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another.
Acts 20:37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him.

Christ’s Wake-up Call
Revelation 2:1-7
Christ’s Wake-up Call
Revelation 2:1-7