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Part 3: Rekindling Your First Love

HEAT, FUEL, AND OXYGEN

PART - 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 22:35-39 (NIV)

1. WHAT TO CELEBRATE:

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: ‘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 for Me without quitting.’”

Revelation 2:1-3 (NLT)

  • Standing for good.

  • Spiritual discernment.

  • Faithfulness

2. WHAT TO CORRECT:

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

Revelation 2:4 (NIV)

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”

Matthew 24:12 (NIV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

John 15:5-6 (NIV)

  • Jesus first.

3. HOW TO REKINDLE YOUR FIRST LOVE:

“Consider how far you have fallen! 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.”

Revelation 2:5 (NIV)

  • Remember

  • Repent

  • Redo

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘You know that I love You.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed My lambs.’ Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of My sheep.’ The third time He said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ He said, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed My sheep.’”

John 21:15-17 (NIV)

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to (your name), ‘(your name), do you love Me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,” ‘You know that I like You.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed My lambs.’ Again Jesus said, ‘(your name), do you love Me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, You know that I like You.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of My sheep.’ The third time He said, ‘(your name), do you even like Me?’”

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS TO:

  • Ask God to help me with my cold heart and return to my first love.

  • Remember my first love for God and repent.

  • Practice loving my neighbor by hosting a Pie Social in my home tonight or in the days ahead.

This week’s Reading Plan and blog/podcast:

  • YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan: “Your First Love” (3 days)

  • Blog and podcast: “Our First Love”

 
Heat Fuel & OxygenDr. John Gerlach