Introduction

Welcome back to Contending for the Word. As we near the end of this week’s series on true revival,
we turn to one of the most convicting passages in Scripture. It is possible to defend sound doctrine,
labor faithfully in ministry, reject false teaching, and yet quietly drift away from love for Christ.

A church can be orthodox but cold, precise in doctrine but lacking affection for the One who is the Truth.

Faithfulness is not only right belief, it is right devotion.
True revival brings the heart back to Christ Himself.

The Question

Why must revival involve returning to our first love for Christ?

A Loving Warning from the Lord

Jesus speaks directly to the church in Ephesus with both tenderness and holy authority:

“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.”

Revelation 2:4-5

The Ephesian believers resisted false teachers. They endured trials. They worked hard.
But somewhere along the way, their affections cooled. Their zeal for Christ faded.
They defended truth without delighting in the Savior.

Jesus does not want correct theology without communion with Him.
He desires hearts warmed by love for His name.

When Affection Grows Cold

A believer can quietly drift into:

• Duty without devotion
• Knowledge without love
• Defending the faith without fellowship with Christ
• Activity without adoration
• Precision in doctrine but distance in worship

Discernment without affection becomes dry, harsh, and lifeless.
True revival restores joy in Christ and warmth in the soul.

Returning to the First Love

How do we return?

• Remember the grace that saved you
• Repent of coldness and distraction
• Return to fellowship with Christ in His Word and prayer
• Rejoice again in the wonder of the gospel

The Christian life is sustained not by sheer willpower but by God’s renewing grace.
Christ does not call us to strain harder, He calls us to come nearer.

True revival does not begin with noise or excitement.
It begins with rekindled love for the Savior.

Revival That Warms the Heart

When Christ revives His church, He does more than correct doctrine. He ignites affection.
He restores wonder. He makes obedience sweet again.

To love the truth is to love Christ.
To contend for the gospel is to cherish the Gospel Giver.
To defend the faith is to delight in the Faithful One.

If we champion truth but lose our love for Christ, we gain nothing.
True revival begins when He warms our hearts once again.

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