Introduction

Sometimes we hear the question, “Did you drop something?” or someone might ask, “Did you lose something?” This morning, we are considering the second question, “Did you lose something?” We’ve asked that question before, but we want to consider it again this morning. Did you lose something and you don’t even realize it?

Several months ago, Andy and Claire came by our house to pick up their kids. They weren’t there long until they told us that Claire had lost her wedding and engagement rings. She wasn’t sure when or where she lost them. They got their kids and started backtracking their evening. They searched everywhere. The next day, the search continued, and they even made arrangements to go to the land fill where they thought the trash might have been dumped that might have contained the ring. All efforts to recover the ring were of no avail. The ring was lost, and Claire realized the loss only after it was too late to recover it.

Have you lost something important? Can it still be recovered? Turning through the pages of the Bible, we find that on occasion, someone lost something and needed to be reminded that they had lost it. Just as Claire did not notice her missing ring until it was too late, sometimes we may not realize what we have lost until it is too late.

Body

I. The churches of Galatia had lost the blessedness they once had.

(Gal 4:15 KJV) Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

(Gal 4:15 NASB) Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness, that if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

(Gal 4:15 NIV) What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

A. A joy they once had had been lost because of Judaizing teachers.

B. Have we lost a joy and excitement that we once had?

II. The church at Ephesis had lost its first love.

(Rev 2:1-4 NKJV) "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: {2} "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; {3} "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. {4} "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

A. How do we lose a first love?

1. The excitement and newness wears off.

2. Christ did not accept a missing first love as being okay.

B. How do we regain a first love?

(Rev 2:5 NKJV) "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.

· Remember therefore from where you have fallen;

· repent

· and do the first works,

III. What have we lost?

A. A passionate concern for those who are lost.

1. It is all too easy to be wrapped up in our daily routine, and lose track of what really matters.

2. It is too easy to think that the judgment day is a long way off.

3. The Lord is holding up His return to give us time to seek and save those who are lost.

(2 Pet 3:7-9 NKJV) But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. {8} But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. {9} The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

(2 Pet 3:7 NIV) By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

B. An excitement about being a Christian.

1. David said he was excited about worshipping God.

(Psa 122:1 NKJV) I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD."

2. In the midst of misery, Jeremiah could sing of God’s great faithfulness.

(Lam 3:21-23 NKJV) This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. {22} Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. {23} They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Hymn #47

3. Have we forgotten (or lost) the joy of our salvation?

C. An excitement about being a child of God with a blessed hope?

(Titus 2:13 NKJV) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

D. Have we lost a consciousness of sin?

1. Youth can be a difficult time.

(Eccl 12:1 NKJV) Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them":

2. Paul warned about youthful temptations.

(2 Tim 2:22 NKJV) Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

a. Many young people have failed to flee youthful lusts, and have lost their purity and innocence.

Conclusion

I. Have you lost something?

II. Do you want to get it back?

III. Remember what Jesus said about getting it back:

(Rev 2:5 NKJV) "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.

· Remember therefore from where you have fallen;

· repent

· and do the first works,

IV. Are you in a right relationship with God?

Bible Study with Harley Sermons I have Preached

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