(Clip) I Lost My First Love For Jesus
Greg Gordon shares his personal journey of losing and then being restored to his first love for Jesus, emphasizing the importance of intimate relationship over mere religious knowledge.
This sermon reflects on the speaker's journey of losing their first love for God, leading to a hardened heart, critical spirit, and a focus on religious knowledge rather than a personal relationship with Jesus. Through a divine intervention, the speaker experiences a renewal of their faith, being restored to a deep connection with God and a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. The sermon emphasizes the importance of daily seeking God's presence, preparing for the return of Jesus, and cultivating a genuine love for Him.
Full Transcript
And I was in the process of basically losing my first love for quite a while. And you think, well, how can that happen? And most of us don't realize when we're actually losing our first love. I just wrote some notes, so I'll just kind of read some things here.
My heart was hard. I was being more and more critical and judgmental. I was filling my life with theology, church history, ancient church traditions, but not Jesus.
I was happy to know about God more, but not spend time with him in a secret place. I became critical of some revivals and would be against spirit-filled teachings at times. The more I delved into religion, orthodoxy, Anglicanism, whatever you fill that with, the more sad I became.
Jesus opened my eyes to this. It was a miracle of God. He restored me back to himself and gave me fresh manna daily.
He is my life, my love, my everything. He has refilled me with the Holy Spirit. He has given me love for the things of the Spirit.
Worship has become something I get to do. Spending time with him in a secret place is something I want to do now. I left my first love, but now God has brought me back.
The mandate for me this year is to fill my oil daily, seeking to be prepared for the coming bridegroom, to have the bridegroom love for Jesus.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Recognizing the loss of first love
- Symptoms: hardness of heart and judgmental attitude
- Focusing on theology over relationship
-
II
- The sadness of religious knowledge without Jesus
- Criticism of revivals and spirit-filled teachings
- The emptiness of orthodoxy without intimacy
-
III
- God’s miraculous restoration
- Receiving fresh manna and the Holy Spirit
- Renewed desire for worship and secret time with God
-
IV
- The mandate to fill the oil daily
- Preparing for the coming bridegroom
- Cultivating bridegroom love for Jesus
Key Quotes
“My heart was hard. I was being more and more critical and judgmental.” — Greg Gordon
“Jesus opened my eyes to this. It was a miracle of God.” — Greg Gordon
“Worship has become something I get to do. Spending time with him in a secret place is something I want to do now.” — Greg Gordon
Application Points
- Examine your heart regularly to ensure your love for Jesus remains vibrant and personal.
- Prioritize daily intimate time with God over mere theological study or religious activity.
- Seek the Holy Spirit’s renewal to restore passion and readiness for Jesus’ return.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to lose your first love for Jesus?
It means drifting away from a passionate, intimate relationship with Jesus, often replaced by religious routines or knowledge without heart connection.
How did Greg realize he was losing his first love?
He noticed his heart becoming hard, a critical spirit, and a focus on theology rather than spending time with Jesus personally.
What helped Greg restore his love for Jesus?
A miracle of God opened his eyes, restoring him through fresh spiritual nourishment and renewed intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
Why is spending time in a secret place important?
It fosters personal intimacy with God beyond knowledge, allowing worship and relationship to flourish.
What is the significance of 'filling the oil daily'?
It symbolizes daily spiritual preparation and readiness for Jesus’ return, maintaining a vibrant love for Him.