Ephesus

Challenges Facing the Church

Revelation 2:1–7 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: “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; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 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. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

The Message in the letter:

Jesus =>John=>messenger=>church

Jesus challenges the church here at Ephesus to be a congregation of great love.

Jesus know our strengths - our good deeds. His message to the pastors in these letters.

Christ the great shepherd compliments & criticizes the words I Know

The Christians at Ephesus were busy with works, labor and endurance. Deeds, hard work, and perseverance.

Paul praised the Thessalonian Church for the same virtues.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV

remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

Hard work: kicked out the evil doers, they had tested ejected the evil doers in the church.

They rejected some false apostles. Note: False Apostles claim authority for themselves.

1 John 4:1–3 NKJV

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Biblical Doctrine is what the Bible teaches as truth and believers live according to the truth, not what we believe.

2 Timothy 2:25 NKJV

in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

First Love: when the were new converts. Return to first works: repentance.

Today, Ephesus isn’t a city and has no church.

Overcomers see 1 John 5:4-5

1 John 5:4–5 CSB

because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?