IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Restore the Love You Had at First

Date: Oct. 23, 2018

Passage

Revelation 2:1-11 (ESV)

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

“‘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. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 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. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:5

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.

1. Repent (1-7)

Apostle Paul shed tears of love to establish the church at Ephesus, but vicious wolves had to be fought (Ac 20:18-31), particularly false apostles and antinomian Nicolaitans. They overcame and did not grow weary, but in the course of battle forsook the love they had at first. Jesus wants us to keep sound doctrine, but more than that he wants us to love him and love one another. He asks us to remember that love we had at first, repent and do as we did before, and be victorious!

2. Be faithful (8-11)

Smyrna believers were afflicted and poor humanly, under attack by the synagogue of Satan, but Jesus saw them as rich! They would suffer much for ten days (a time), but Jesus says: Do not be afraid...be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. Next to love, faithfulness is necessary in these days of darkness.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus' care to rebuke and encourage. Help me love you and be faithful.

One Word: Jesus loves me

Daily Bread

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Revelation 22:10-21

Key Verse: 22:12

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