We harden ourselves to the effects of sin and call it strength , when in reality strong hands are not those that are calloused and tough , but tender and bleeding - but able to endure the pain… True strength is found in our weakest moments. True freedom is found between the safety of boundaries True compassion is found in deliberate vulnerability… What have we lost? Racism is not new , yet abounding. Chaos is not new , yet increasing . Rage is not new , its as old as Genesis … And these exist , because sin still exists and fighting sin with without Godly weapons is just warfare - but for who? For You , and for me. Our text paints a picture of a church; A picture which in many ways shows us why so many congregations today are in decline; a picture, not only of a church but of individual Christians who somewhere along the way allowed the mediocre to replace the best , in their spiritual lives. We've accepted things as they , instead of how they SHOULD be. I hope you can be with us , there will be room for you. Come as you are , leave changed -

1. www.fultondalechurchofchrist.net

2. What have we Lost?“ When Christians lose their First Love”
Revelation 2:1-7

5. What have we lost?
• Christ Commends them (Vs.2-3)
• Acts 20 , The letter to the Ephesian church
• A mighty and wealthy city
• Strong in doctrine
• Strong against heresy
• Endured hardship
• Revelation 2:2 - 3 “I know your works, your toil and your
patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those
who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves
apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I
know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my
name's sake, and you have not grown weary. ”

6. … “But , I have this against you

7. You have left your FIRST LOVE”…
(Revelation 2:4)

8. What have we lost?
• Christ Counsels them (vs. 4)
• Losing our first love –
• We become infatuated with knowledge instead of holiness
• We become comfortable with ”Holy” instead of in awe of it
• We see the world as our enemy , instead of our mission
• We become dulled to small sins
• We become content with ”good enough”
• We begin to love others more than Christ
• Christ never lost nor loses his love for us!
• Romans 8:38 - 39 “ For I am sure that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in
Christ Jesus our Lord.”

9. What have we lost?
• Christ Cautions them (vs. 5 - 7)
• Revelation 2 :2-5 “I know your works, your toil and your
patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those
who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves
apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I
know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my
name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have
this against you, that you have abandoned the love you
had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have
fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I
will come to you and remove your lampstand from its
place, unless you repent”

10. He who has ears , let him HEAR ”…
(Revelation 2:7)

13. What have we Lost?“ When Christians lose their First Love”
Revelation 2:1-7