The Loveless Spirituality

(Rev 1:4 KJV) John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

(Rev 1:9-16 KJV) I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. {10} I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, {11} Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. {12} And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; {13} And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. {14} His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; {15} And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. {16} And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

(Rev 1:20 KJV) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Today we begin a study of the seven letters to the seven churches in Asia. The seven letters represent Seven Spiritual Conditions which existed at the time of John’s writing and which exist in our time today. These are conditions of individuals and of groups. These letters apply as much to Christians today as do the other letters in the Bible. They are as useful to us as the letters to the Romans, Corinthians, Timothy or any others that we preach from.

The first letter we will study today is to the church at Ephesus:

(Rev 2:1-7 KJV) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; {2} I know thy works, and thy labour, 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: {3} And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. {4} Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. {5} Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. {6} But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. {7} He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

This letter addresses what I call The Loveless Spirituality. I use that title because Jesus’ message to Ephesus was that they had left their first love. It was not that they had quit loving their Lord; but it was that they were no longer loving Him FIRST and uppermost in their hearts. This is a very prevalent condition that exists today in the hearts of many Christians. They still love the Lord, but not with a fervent love that exceeds their love for other things. When Jesus is the love of your life, He is in control. You walk with Him hand in hand, enjoying Him and He enjoying you; you are eating of the tree of life; you are really living; you have learned to savor the flavor of living; You are enjoying the harmony of a balanced life. But if you allow your love for your Lord to grow cold, the joy of living begins to leak out of your life. Therefore, this message is in the Bible to remind you of your need to maintain your FIRST love for the Lord.

And so let us study this lesson together.

First of all notice how Jesus introduces himself to this church. In each of the seven letters He introduces himself with different characteristics; this is a clue to us of the problem with that condition and of the cure. To Ephesus He describes himself as “he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks”. Since he told us in Chapter 1 that the stars represent the angels of the churches and the candlesticks represent the churches, we understand that the proper relationship with him is for him to be in control. When He is your first love, He is in control of your life, you are in His hand. With Jesus in control your life is blessed and happy. You are happy with your Lord and He is pleased with you. There is no other way to really enjoy living. This condition is likened to eating of the tree of life – loving the Lord, the Lord loving you; living life to the fullest extent that God has for you.

If you noticed the letter is addressed to “the angel of the church”. We understand this to mean that the letter is addressed to the pastor because he is the one responsible to preach to the congregation the Word of God that they need to prosper in their soul. The Greek word translated angel in this passage is a word that means messenger which implies pastor. It is used here in the same sense as angel was used in other places in the Bible. For example in

(Gen 18:2 KJV) And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

(Gen 19:1 KJV) And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

(Gen 19:5 KJV) And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

Notice that the angels were referred to as men when they first appeared to Abraham. Then they were referred to as angels when they came into Sodom. And, then they were referred to as men again when the citizens of Sodom called to Lot. I review this lesson so that you will understand that when I interpret angel to mean messenger, you can see that it is from the Bible that my interpretation came from. In fact if you will consider the entire Bible in your study of Revelation, you will find that nearly every symbol used in Revelation is explained somewhere else in the Bible. To place a private interpretation on the scripture is to twist the meaning to suit one’s own purpose. You need to stick with the Word of God for the proper understanding. So the angel of the church refers to the pastor, the one responsible to preach the Word of God to the congregation. As a pastor I know that it is not always easy to preach the Word of God to the people. Especially when I know that what I am impressed to preach will hurt them and may cause some to be offended. Nevertheless I know that my responsibility to God is to preach the Word of God regardless of the actions of those that hear me. This is a tough message that the Lord is sending to the church – You have left your first love.

Jesus know all about you as He reminded the Ephesus church, “I know thy works”. He made this same statement to each of the seven churches. “I know thy works”. He knows your works too, It is what you do that counts. It is easy to say “I love you Lord”, but what are your works? It seems to me that we live in a time when many are saying that they love the Lord and yet their works demonstrate a greater love for pleasure. It is not that they don’t love God; it is just that they love pleasure more as Paul told us in:

(2 Tim 3:1-5 KJV) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. {2} For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, {3} Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, {4} Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; {5} Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

This is what we see in our world today. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. That is one of the reasons that our sports stadiums are filled and overflowing on Sunday and our church pews are sparsely filled. God never said that you couldn’t have any pleasure. He just commanded you to Love Him first above all else. In fact the pleasure that you get from the things of the world are fleeting, temporary and can never really satisfy. While the pleasure that you get from loving God first and foremost is lasting, enduring and passes understanding. God knows your works. He sees what you are doing that demonstrates your love for Him. And He sees what you are doing that demonstrates your love for pleasure.

I have never seen a time in history when people were so much in love with themselves as they are in our world today. “Lovers of their own selves” is very appropriate to many today. What’s in it for me? What will I get out of it? I want, I need, me, mine, to me and for me is the attitude of many in our time. You cannot concentrate on what the Lord wants when your mind is filled with what you want. Believe me, the Lord knows your works. He knows your thoughts and He knows who and what you love. Have you allowed your love to grow cold for your Lord?

(Mat 24:12 KJV) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

There can be no doubt that iniquity abounds in our world today. On every hand we see and hear of the criminal acts of mankind. Murder, rape, theft, terrorist acts of bombing, wholesale slaughter of tribes and other acts of hatred and strife fill our news on a daily basis. What effect does all of this iniquity have on you? Are you one that has allowed your love for God to wax cold because of the mean, despicable acts of others? Jesus said that the love of many would wax cold. Not a few, but many are affected by this condition.

If you recognize that your love has lost its fervency and you want to restore it this morning then consider the cure that Jesus demonstrates. Put Him in control of your life. Do the first works over. Put Him first in your heart. Put His commandments first in your list of activities.

(Mark 12:29-31 KJV) And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: {30} And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. {31} And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Let Jesus know by the way you live, the things you do, the things you refuse to do, the places you go or don’t go and the way you treat your neighbor that you Love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. There is none other commandment greater than these. Let’s review the qualities of love listed in: <![endif]>

(1 Cor 13 KJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (the word charity means love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. {3} And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. {4} Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, {5} Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; {6} Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; {7} Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. {8} Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. {9} For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. {10} But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. {11} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. {12} For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. {13} And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

It is no wonder that Jesus placed such emphasis on love. Real love begins with loving God with all the heart, mind, soul and strength. Many in our time do not know what real love is. It is confused with the satisfaction of the desires of the flesh while in fact it is the power that denies the flesh. There is no effort, ability or quality that comes close to love as the supreme power of the universe. God sent His son because of love:

(John 3:16 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

To love God is to return His love that He has demonstrated to you. There was once a woman that was hired by a man to care for his house and his children as his wife had died. The pay was low, the work hard and the children difficult. The woman went about her work day by day complaining about the hard work, complaining about the low pay and complaining about the difficult children. In time the woman fell in love with the man of the house and they were married. Now she went about her work singing and thanking God for her husband and her family. It was the same house, the same children and now no pay. What made the difference? LOVE!

And so it is with our relationship with the Lord. Love makes the difference.

(Col 3:1-2 KJV) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. {2} Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Yes, if you are going to live for Christ, then set your affections on those things which are above. Do not allow your affections to be drawn to the things of the earth. You know that you have control of your affections. That is why the Bible is telling you to set them on things above. Set your affections on pleasing the Lord, on making heaven your eternal home and on enjoying a holy life in this world. There is great reward in living the way Jesus wants you to. <![endif]>

(Rev 2:7 KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

To him that overcometh, to him that gains the victory over the devil and the flesh and restores his first love to the Lord. That person gets to eat of the tree of life. You remember that the tree of life was in the midst of the garden of Eden when God first made man and placed him there. As long as the man loved God and obeyed God he was free to eat of the tree of life and live forever. Than when the man disobeyed God he was removed from the garden and from the tree of life. An angel was placed at the gate to guard the tree of life. Now that angel will give you access to the tree of life if you will set your affection on Him and learn to love and obey him.

Along with multitudes of Christians, I have been living for many years in the paradise of God freely eating of the tree of life. When life is lived within the moral guidelines of the Lord, it is beautiful. You feel strong and healthy, vibrant and alive and constantly aware that your life is good because you love the Lord. God has been so good to me and He has done so much for me that I am constantly looking for ways to show Him that I love Him. I pray that my love for Him will always grow stronger. I intend to keep my affection set on Him. How about you?

You don’t want to ever hear Him say to you: “I have somewhat against thee”. Those are sharp cutting words. As he commended the Ephesians for their labor, their patience, how they could determine who was real and who was false and how they labored on without fainting, he spoke those devastating words “I have somewhat against thee” . “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

Have you an ear to hear what the Spirit of God saith to you this morning? This word “hear” does not just mean to hear and understand the sounds but it means to hear with the purpose to obey the message. As Jesus walks in your midst this day, take account of your affections. Consider what it is that has your first love. Is Jesus in control of your life today? Do you love Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?

(John 14:23-24 KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. {24} He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Yes, if you love Jesus, then you keep His words. There is no use in saying that you love Jesus when you don’t study His words, you don’t read His words, you don’t listen to His words being preached and you make no effort to learn what His words are. Searching the scripture to learn about Jesus so you can live the way He instructs you to is a demonstration of your love for Him!