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First Love
I. Introduction:
1. We often talk about the time when the church had power from heaven and was able to do many wonderful works. The time when it had power, such a power that without radio, television, news papers, magazines, pamphlets, or books, the time when it didn’t even enter their imagination about anything like the printing press, automobile, or airplane the gospel commission went into all the world.
a. "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:" Colossians 1:5, 6.
2. What gave the early Christian church that power, such a power that they were even accused of turning the world upside down? Acts 17:6.
a. Do we want such a power as this?
b. Why would we want such a power as that, a power that would move the world and turn it upside down in the eyes of others? Matthew 24:14.
(1) And why do we want the end to come? Matthew 24:3.
(2) Why do we want Jesus to come again? John 14:1-3.
(3) What kind of a place is it that He has prepared for us? 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:1-5.
c. What will it take for us to obtain that same power so that we can finish the work and go home, our real home as we are only strangers and pilgrims here in this old sinful world? "When those who profess to serve God follow Christ’s example; practicing the principles of the law in their daily life; when every act bears witness that they love God supremely, and their neighbor as themselves, then will the church have power to move the world." Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 340.
3. What happened to the early Christian Church that caused it to lose that power? Revelation 2:4, 5.
a. They lost their first love.
b. What was their first love like?
(1) Mary washed the feet of Jesus: "And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment." Luke 7:37, 38.
(2) Jesus told a parable about a man who was forgiven much and one who was forgiven little: "Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment." Luke 7:39-46.
(3) Why did Mary do what she did? "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Luke 7:47.
4. To day we want to talk about this first love.
II. First Love
1. How shall people know we are disciples of Christ? "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’" John 13:35
a. This Jesus called a new commandment in John 13:34.
(1) "The believers were ever to cherish the love that filled the hearts of the apostles after the descent of the Holy Spirit. They were to go forward in willing obedience to the new commandment, ‘As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.’ So closely were they to be united to Christ, that they would be enabled to fulfill his requirements. The power of a Saviour who could justify them by his righteousness was to be magnified." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:3.
(2) "As they were drawn to Christ in greater love, they were drawn to one another." Desire of Ages, p. 664:3.
b. What was their sole concern? Philippians 3:7, 8.
c. Since that was their one desire, how did they relate to one another?
(1) "After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples went forth to proclaim a risen Saviour, their one desire the salvation of souls. They rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints. They were tender, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth’s sake. In their daily association with one another they revealed the love that Christ had commanded them to reveal. By unselfish words and deeds they strove to kindle this love in other hearts." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:2.
2. What happened as they began to lose that first love?
a. They began to look for defects in one another.
(1) "But the early Christians began to look for defects in one another. Dwelling upon mistakes, encouraging suspicion and doubt, giving way to unkind criticism, they lost sight of the Saviour, and of the great love he had revealed for sinners. They became more strict in regard to outward ceremonies, more particular about the theory of the faith, more severe in their criticisms. In their zeal to condemn others, they themselves erred. They forgot the lessons of brotherly love that Christ had taught. And, saddest of all, they were unconscious of their loss. They did not realize that happiness and joy were going out of their lives, and that soon they would walk in darkness, having shut the love of God out of their hearts." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:4.
(a) Do what they say but not as they do. Matthew 23:1-5.
(2) How are sinners looked upon? "I was shown that while Sister J and Brother and Sister K have seen wrongs in others, they have not made efforts to correct those wrongs and help those whom they ought to have helped. They have left them too much alone, and held them off at arms’ length, and felt that it was of no use to try to do anything for them. This is wrong. They commit an error in so doing. Christ said: ‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ The Lord would have us help those who most need help. While you have seen the errors and wrongs in others, you have shut yourselves too much to yourselves, and have been too selfish in your enjoyment of the truth. God does not approve this being satisfied with the truth and making no sacrifice to aid and strengthen those who need strength. We are not all organized alike, and many have not been educated aright. Their education has been deficient. Some have had a quick temper transmitted to them, and their education in childhood has not taught them self-control. With this fiery temper, envy and jealousy are frequently united. Others are faulty in other respects. Some are dishonest in deal, overreaching in trade. Others are arbitrary in their families, loving to rule. Their lives are far from being correct. Their education was all wrong. They were not told the sin of yielding to the control of these evil traits; therefore sin does not appear to them so exceedingly sinful. Others, whose education has not been so faulty, who have had better training, have developed a much less objectionable character. The Christian life of all is very much affected for good or for evil by their previous education." Vol. 2, Testimonies, p. 73-74.
(a) These say that "I am holier than thou." Isaiah 65:5.
(3) But how does Jesus look upon them? "Jesus, our Advocate, is acquainted with all the circumstances with which we are surrounded and deals with us according to the light we have had and the circumstances in which we are placed. Some have a much better organization than others. While some are continually harassed, afflicted, and in trouble because of their unhappy traits of character, having to war with internal foes and the corruption of their nature, others have not half so much to battle against. They pass along almost free from the difficulties which their brethren and sisters who are not so favorably organized are laboring under. In very many cases they do not labor half so hard to overcome and live the life of a Christian as do some of those unfortunate ones I have mentioned. The latter appear to disadvantage almost every time, while the former appear much better because it is natural for them so to do. They may not labor half as hard to watch and keep the body under, yet at the same time they compare their lives with the lives of others who are unfortunately organized and badly educated, and flatter them selves with the contrast. They talk of the failings, errors, and wrongs of the unfortunate, but do not feel that they have any burden in the matter, farther than to dwell upon those wrongs and shun those who are guilty of them." Vol. 2, Testimonies for the Church, p. 74-75.
(4) "When this church is weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, it is found wanting, having left its first love. The True Witness declares, ‘I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and has patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.’ Notwithstanding all this, the church is found wanting. What is the fatal deficiency?—‘Thou hast left thy first love.’ Is not this our case? Our doctrines may be correct; we may hate false doctrine, and may not receive those who are not true to principle; we may labor with untiring energy; but even this is not sufficient. What is our motive? Why are we called upon to repent?—‘Thou hast left thy first love.’ Let each member of the church study this important warning and reproof. Let each one see if in contending for the truth, if in debating on the theory, he has not lost the tender love of Christ. Has not Christ been left out of the sermons, and out of the heart? Is there not danger that many are going forward with a profession of the truth, doing missionary work, while the love of Christ has not been woven into the labor? This solemn warning from the True Witness means much; it demands that you shall remember from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; ‘or else,’ says the True Witness, ‘I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.’ O that the church might realize its need of its first ardor of love! When this is wanting, all other excellencies are insufficient. The call to repentance is one that cannot be disregarded without peril. A belief in the theory of the truth is not enough. To present this theory to unbelievers does not constitute you a witness for Christ. The light that gladdened your heart when you first understood the message for this time, is an essential element in your experience and labors, and this has been lost out of your heart and life. Christ beholds your lack of zeal, and declares that you have fallen, and are in a perilous position." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 2-03-91:8.
b. What are the different ways that this self-pleasing and selfishness is manifested?
(1) Just looking to please ourselves. "Brother K has not the sin of evil speaking to repent of, as very many have, but he lacks a willingness to help those who most need help. He is selfish. He loves his home, loves quiet, rest, freedom from care, perplexities, and trials; therefore he pleases himself too much. He does not bear the burdens which Heaven has assigned him. He shuns disagreeable responsibilities, and shuts himself up too much to his love of quietness. He has been quite liberal with means, but when it is necessary to deny self to do some needed good, when real sacrifice on his part is called for, he has but little experience, and must gain it." Vol. 2, Testimonies for the Church, p. 76:2.
(2) That the Lord may save me and mine only. "He fears that he will be blamed if he ventures to help the erring. ‘We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell on Me.’ All who are partakers of this great salvation have something to do to help those who are hanging on the skirts of Zion. They should not cut off their hold and thrust them away without making an effort to help them to overcome and prepare for the judgment. No, indeed! While these are bleating around the fold, they should be encouraged and strengthened by all the aid which it is in our power to bestow. You as a family have too rigid rules and set ideas which cannot be made to fit every case. You lack love, gentleness, tenderness, and pity for those who do not move as fast as they should. This spirit has prevailed to such an extent that you are withering spiritually instead of flourishing in the Lord. Your interest, and efforts, and anxieties are for your family and your relatives. But you have not entertained the idea of reaching out for others around you, overcoming your reluctance to exert an influence outside of a special circle. You idolize yours, and shut yourselves within yourselves. That the Lord may save me and mine is the great burden. This spirit will have to die before you can flourish in the Lord and make spiritual advancement, before the church can grow and souls be added unto them of such as shall be saved." Vol. 2, Testimonies for the Church, p. 76-77.
(a) This spirit will have to die before the church can flourish.
(3) Although we do have to work for our families, but we cannot limit ourselves to just our immediate family members. "You are all narrowed up as to labor for others, and must change your base of operations. Your relatives are no dearer in the sight of God than any other poor souls who need salvation. We must put self and selfishness under our feet, and exemplify in our lives the spirit of self-sacrifice and disinterested benevolence manifested by Jesus when He was upon earth. All should have an interest for their relatives, but should not allow themselves to be shut up to them as though they were the only ones whom Jesus came to save." Vol. 2, Testimonies for the Church, p. 77:1.
c. Does This apply to us in this our day? "In the church of God to-day brotherly love is greatly lacking. Many of those who profess to love the Saviour neglect to love those who are united with them in Christian fellowship. We are of the same faith, members of one family, all children of the same Heavenly Father, with the same blessed hope of immortality. How close and tender should be the tie that binds us together! How careful we should be to have our words and actions in harmony with the sacred truths that God has committed to us The people of the world are looking to us, to see if our faith is exerting a sanctifying influence on our hearts, making us Christlike. They are ready to discover every defect in our lives, every inconsistency in our actions. Let us give them no occasion to reproach our faith." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:8.
(1) We have enough enemies on the outside, we do not need to produce them on the inside.
d. What happens to us when we do begin to act in this way? "It is not the opposition of the world that will endanger us the most; the evil cherished in the hearts of professed Christians works out most grievous disaster, and retards most the progress of God’s cause. There is no surer way of weakening ourselves in spiritual things than by being envious, suspicious of one another, full of faultfinding and evil surmising. ‘This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:9.
(1) Saying things just enough to cause someone to doubt the validity of others especially ministers or other workers.
(2) We weaken ourselves.
e. Does this type of work bring happiness to ourselves? "To build up one another in the most holy faith is a blessed work; to tear down is a work full of bitterness and sorrow. Christ identifies himself with his suffering children; for he says, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ If all would carry out the instruction given by Christ, love and unity would prevail in the church." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:12.
3. Reproof needed! Leviticus 19:17.
a. Because of their unconscious departure from love to one another, what did they need? Revelation 2:4, 5.
(1) They needed to be reproved for their departure and be reminded how they used to act.
b. Keep in mind that those being reproved were not open sinners. "Those mentioned in this scripture as losing their first love were not ranked with open sinners. They had the truth; they were established in the doctrine; they were firm to condemn and resist evil. Yet God declared, ‘Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee.’ They were losing their realization of the greatness of the love that God has shown for fallen humanity by making an infinite sacrifice to redeem them." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:6.
(1) What were they lacking if they still had the truth and correct doctrines and were not open sinners? They lacked a love for souls for whom Christ died.
III. Solution
1. We need a change of heart. "When you are associated with one another, be guarded in your words. Let your conversation be of such a nature that you will have no need to repent of it. ‘Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.’ ‘A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.’ If the love of the truth is in your hearts, you will talk of the truth,—of the blessed hope that you have in Jesus. If your hearts are filled with brotherly love, you will seek to establish and build up your brother in the most holy faith." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:10.
a. We can only bring out what is already in the heart. Matthew 12:35, 36.
2. When we realize how much Christ has loved us. "Those mentioned in this scripture as losing their first love were not ranked with open sinners. They had the truth; they were established in the doctrine; they were firm to condemn and resist evil. Yet God declared, ‘Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee.’ They were losing their realization of the greatness of the love that God has shown for fallen humanity by making an infinite sacrifice to redeem them." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:6.
a. We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19.
b. We need wisdom from above. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." James 3:17, 18.
3. Constantly exercising love for one another. "The apostle John realized that brotherly love was waning in the church, and he dwelt particularly upon this point. Up to the day of his death he urged upon believers the constant exercise of love for one another. His letters to the churches are interwoven with this thought. In one of his epistles we read: ‘Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. . . . [1 John 4:7] God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. . . Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.’" Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:7.
4. Seek to lighten other’s sorrows. "Every heart has its own sorrows and disappointments, and we should seek to lighten one another’s burdens by manifesting the love of Jesus to those around us. If our conversation were upon heaven and heavenly things, evil-speaking would soon cease to have any attraction for us. We would not then be placing our feet upon dangerous ground; nor would we enter into temptation, falling under the power of the evil one." Advent Review & Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:13.
a. Help those that have injured you. Seek those in need of help. "The prominent position which you as a family occupy in the church makes it highly necessary for you to be burden bearers. Not that you are to take burdens for those who are able to bear their own and also to aid others; but you should help those who stand most in need of help, those who are less favorably situated, who are erring and faulty, and who may have injured you and tried your patience to the utmost. It is just such ones that Jesus pities, because Satan has more power over them and is constantly taking advantage of their weak points and driving his arrows to wound them where they are least protected. Jesus exercises His power and mercy for just such pitiable cases. When He asked who loved most, Simon answered: ‘He to whom he forgave most.’ Thus it will be. Jesus did not shun the weak, unfortunate, and helpless, but He helped such as needed help. He did not confine His visits and labors to a class more intelligent and less faulty, to the neglect of the unfortunate. He did not inquire whether it was agreeable for Him to be a companion of the poorest, the most needy. These are the ones whose company He sought, the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Vol 2, Testimonies for the Church, p 75:1.
b. "We become overcomers by helping others overcome." Vol. 7, SDA Bible Commentary, p. 974.
5. Criticize ourselves.
a. "Instead of finding fault with others, let us be critical with ourselves. Every one should inquire, Is my heart right before God? Am I glorifying my Heavenly Father? If you have cherished a wrong spirit, banish it from the soul. Eradicate from your heart everything that is of a defiling nature. Pluck up every root of bitterness, lest others be contaminated by the baleful influence. Do not allow one poisonous plant to remain in the soil of your heart. Root it out this very hour and cultivate in its stead the plant of love. Let Jesus be enshrined in the soul-temple." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:14.
6. Visit the erring. "This is the work you have neglected. You have shunned disagreeable responsibilities and have not gone to the erring and visited them, and manifested an interest and love for them, and made yourselves familiar with them. You have not had a spirit of Christlike forgiveness. You have marked out just such a course that all must come up to before you could throw over them your mantle of charity. You are not required to cloak sin, but to exercise that pitying love for the erring which Christ has exercised toward you." Vol. 2, Testimonies for the Church, p. 75-76.
7. What should we do if we do hear detrimental words spoken of others?
a. "If a word is dropped that is detrimental to the character of a friend or brother, never encourage this evil-speaking; for it is the work of the enemy. Remind the speaker that God’s Word forbids this kind of conversation [Leviticus 19:16]. We are to empty the heart of everything that defiles the soul-temple, that Christ may dwell within. The Redeemer has told us how we may reveal him to the world. If we cherish his Spirit, if we manifest his love toward others, if we guard one another’s interests, if we are kind, patient, forbearing, the fruits we bear will give evidence to the world that we are God’s children. It is unity in the church that enables Christians to exert a strong influence upon unbelievers." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:11.
VI. Conclusion
1. What must happen if we want the perfect love of God in us? "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:12.
2. Remember our first experience with the Lord. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works." Revelation 2:4.
a. "God is now calling for heartfelt repentance, and for a return to the love that we once manifested toward one another. ‘Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’" Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 2-25-04:15.
b. What about our gifts to the cause of God? How will we view them once again when we have our first love restored? "And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment." Luke 7:37, 38.
(1) Nothing was too expensive for her to do for the Lord.
3. How will we react to church services? "Last June I saw that your only hope of breaking the chain of your bondage was a removal from your associates. You had yielded to Satan’s temptations until you were a weak man. You were a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God, and were fast traveling the downward path. I have been disappointed that you have continued in the same indifferent state in which you have been for years. You have known and experienced the love of God; and it has been your delight to do His will. You have delighted in the study of the word of God. You have been punctual at the prayer meetings. Your testimony has been from a heart which felt the quickening influences of the love of Christ. But you have lost your first love." Vol. 2, Testimonies for the Church, p. 293:2.
a. "My brethren in the ministry, it is better, far better, to die of hard work in some home or foreign mission field, than to rust out with inaction." Review and Herald, April 6, 1886:5.
b. Revelation 2:4, 5.
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