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  THE TRAGEDY OF THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS
  by Watchman Nee
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of returning to our first
love and devotion to the Lord, even if we have strayed.

Topics: "Returning to First Love", "Restoration in Christ"
Scripture References: Luke 15:22, Revelation 2:4

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DESCRIPTION
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Watchman Nee addresses the tragedy of the Church of Ephesus, emphasizing
that they have left their 'first love' for Christ, which signifies both
the initial time and the highest quality of love. He draws a parallel to
the prodigal son, illustrating that the best love is what God desires
from us. Despite their departure from devotion, there remains hope for
restoration, as the Lord invites those who have strayed to return to
their first love and rekindle their passion for Him.

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CONTENT
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"But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love."
Revelation 2:4

The expression "first love" refers not only to primacy in time but also
in quality. The story of the prodigal son's return home tells us that
the father called for "the best robe" to be brought to replace the
penitent's rags. This is the same word. The first love is the best love.

The tragedy in this church at Ephesus was that it had left or moved away
from that devotion which gave the Lord the first place in their
affections. There was, however, a hope. It is not always possible to
recover what has been lost, but it is always open to us to return to a
position from which we have strayed. The Lord calls each of us who has
wandered to come back to the experience of loving him best, to return to
our first love.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/watchman-nee/the-tragedy-of-the-church-of-ephesus/
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