One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field. . . (Luke 8:4-8)

some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.

Other seed fell among rocks Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.

Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants.

Still other seed fell on fertile soil Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved.

The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.

The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, noble-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”

Shallow Heart Hard Heart Crowded Heart Fruitful Heart

First Love 起初的愛

Matt 22:37-38 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” 馬 太 福 音 22:37-38 耶穌對他說：你要盡心、盡性、盡意愛主─你的神。這是誡命中的第一，且是最大的。

啟示錄 2:1-3 你要寫信給以弗所教會的使者，說：那右手拿著七星、在七個金燈臺中間行走的，說：我知道你的行為、勞碌、忍耐，也知道你不能容忍惡人。你也曾試驗那自稱為使徒卻不是使徒的，看出他們是假的來。你也能忍耐，曾為我的名勞苦，並不乏倦。

Revelation 2:1-3 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 2:4-5 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.

啟示錄 2:4-5 然而有一件事我要責備你，就是你把起初的愛心離棄了。所以，應當回想你是從那裡墜落的，並要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就臨到你那裡，把你的燈臺從原處挪去。

Revelation 2:4-5 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.

Gaining Our First Love 擁有我們起初的愛 2. Losing Our First Love 失去我們起初的愛 3. Restoring Our First Love 恢復我們起初的愛

Gaining Our First Love 擁有我們起初的愛 腓 立 比 書 3:8 不但如此，我也將萬事當作有損的，因我以認識我主基督耶穌為至寶。我為他已經丟棄萬事，看作糞土，為要得著基督。 Phil. 3:8 . . . I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

2. Losing Our First Love 失去我們起初的愛 Too Busy? 太忙了？ Too Distracted? 太分心了？ Too Confident? 太自信了？

2. Losing Our First Love 失去我們起初的愛 Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

2. Losing Our First Love 失去我們起初的愛 路加福音 10:40-42 馬大伺候的事多，心裡忙亂，就進前來，說：主阿，我的妹子留下我一個人伺候，你不在意麼？請吩咐他來幫助我。耶穌回答說：馬大！馬大！你為許多的事思慮煩擾，但是不可少的只有一件；馬利亞已經選擇那上好的福分，是不能奪去的。

2. Losing Our First Love 失去我們起初的愛 Mat. 13:22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 馬太福音 13:22  撒在荊棘裡的，就是人聽了道，後來有世上的思慮、錢財的迷惑把道擠住了，不能結實。

2. Losing Our First Love 失去我們起初的愛 John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 約 翰 福 音 15:5 我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子。常在我裡面的，我也常在他裡面，這人就多結果子；因為離了我，你們就不能做甚麼。

3. Restoring Our First Love 恢復我們起初的愛 Revelation 2:5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place. 啟示錄 2:5 應當回想你是從那裡墜落的，並要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就臨到你那裡，把你的燈臺從原處挪去。

3. Restoring Our First Love 恢復我們起初的愛 Remember 回想 Repent 悔改 Redo 從行