Letters To Asia--Ephesus
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 1 viewNotes
Transcript
“TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS”
Michael J. Clarke
TEXT: Revelation 2:1-7.
THESIS: To consider the church at Ephesus and what their actions mean to modern man.
INTRODUCTION:
The Book of Revelation details seven churches of Asia that were given letters from Christ.
Today we are going to look at the church that met at Ephesus.
I. KNOWLEDGE OF WORKS.
Jesus knew this church for what they had done.
They could not bear those that were evil.
Revelation 2:1
Revelation 2:2
They labored and did not become weary (Revelation 2:3).
Jesus called their labors in a specific way.
They tested those that they did not believe to be apostles.
This took guts. It is not an easy thing to call someone out.
Yet, we are commanded to test out what we are told.
1 John 4:1
Elders are given an even higher standard when it comes to seeing if someone is who they say they are.
holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
This is a shining report of their desire to know what was true and what was error.
They labored in the name of the Lord.
Those in Ephesus were applying what Paul had taught to the Corinthians.
To be active in laboring in the Lord’s Kingdom. Everything seems to be going well.
II. KNOWLEDGE OF WEAKNESS.
Jesus was set against them due to their weakness.
Jesus stated they left their first love (Revelation 2:4).
What does that mean?
Two schools of thought.
They left Jesus.
They left their desire and love for doing the work of the Lord.
Which one is it?
It does not make much sense to say that they had left Jesus.
He knew of them.
Those that are in sin have been separated from the Lord (Isaiah 59:1-2).
He hides His face from them.
Then it must be the desire that they once had was gone.
This was simply going through the motions of church.
Checking boxes instead of fully being in for the work.
Jesus gave them the only solution that would strengthen them.
They had fallen and needed to do the first works (Revelation 2:5).
They needed to do more than just be set against those that Jesus hates (Revelation 2:6)
Jesus gives encouragement to those that overcome.
They needed to overcome the world (Revelation 2:7)
That was the path to eternal life.
This is very simple.
Follow Jesus with joy and zeal or be in danger of having out lampstand removed.
III. TEXT TAKEAWAYS
Ephesus neglected what they had been taught.
God gave them all that they needed.
They had salvation.
They had family.
They had purpose.
They had been properly equipped and still left.
Even being rich with all that God had done for them they still left.
For too many people God’s grace and sacrifices will never be enough.
It is not enough to go through the motions.
Why should we do the work of the church?
Why does someone do anything for the person they love?
Out of choice, obligation, expectation, or joy?
When I need to cook dinner it should not be a massive burden.
When my wife needs to help me with something it should not be the end of the world.
Doing the work of the Church should not be a burden.
We should wake up every morning overjoyed that we have another opportunity to serve!
Psalm 118:24
When our heads hit the pillow every night can we say that we have tried to make a positive impact in the Kingdom?
Or are we just checking boxes?
Ephesus was just checking boxes.
Ephesus was doing the work but not living the work.
Jesus gave them a “compliment sand-which.”
The Compliment Sandwich (also called the Feedback Sandwich or Criticism Sandwich), beyond being one of the worst management techniques ever invented, was created as a way of trying to give somebody constructive criticism without making them feel bad. Basically, it's where you give somebody a compliment, then you give them some critical feedback, and then you close with another compliment. For example:
Compliment: Bob, you're just so talented. You're so smart and you do such a good job. You might be the smartest person in the department. Criticism: Your behavior on the team the past couple weeks has been pretty bad. Your colleagues are starting to get pretty irritated with you because you're sarcastic, and caustic, and everything else. Compliment: But you're just so bright. I just want everybody to appreciate how big that brain of yours really is.
Jesus starts with a compliment:
Revelation 2:2
Revelation 2:3
He shifts to the complaint:
Revelation 2:4
Revelation 2:5
He ends with another compliment:
Revelation 2:6
No one could point to Ephesus as a stagnant church.
They were doing the work.
Their issue was their heart.
Going through the motions is worthless.
Our lampstand is still capable of being removed.
Stop being complacent.
Complacent means showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
So we heard the Gospel and obeyed it.
So what?
What have we done to truly show our appreciation and understanding of the value the Gospel has?
The church needs to stop resting on its laurels.
“Well 15 years ago…”
“We used to…”
So what?
What can we start doing now to make an impact?
What can be done so that in 15 years someone can say:
“Wasn’t it a blessing that work was started?
Look at how much good it has done for the membership that meets here.”
Start getting involved.
We need you.
We have too many men that could lead a prayer and help serve the congregation in the assembly and they are not doing it.
Would Jesus refuse to lead prayers in the assembly?
Would Paul?
Well we are supposed to be like both of them (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Our lampstand is still capable of being restored.
The blessing of God is that we do not have to be removed.
God does not want us to be lost.
He gave Ephesus a chance to change. He will give us a chance to change!
He is willing to bring us back!
There is not a time in history where man has repented where God has neglected them.
Every time it is asked it is given.
He is a faithful God full of mercy.
But we cannot kid ourselves into thinking that God will overlook our sins simply because He loves us.
CONCLUSION:
Ephesus did not have to end up the way they did.
Will we be like Ephesus?