Heartless Busy Work

1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:

2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.

3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!

5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.

7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

INTRODUCTION:

I- THE REGULAR ACTIVITY OF THE CHURCH (Revelation 2:1-3)

Revelation 2:1–3 (NLT)

1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:

3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

A- The real service rendered. (Revelation 2:1-2)

Revelation 2:1–2 (NLT)

1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:

1- The evaluator: Jesus. (Revelation 2:1)

Revelation 2:1 (NLT)

1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:

a. He holds the messengers to the churches in His hands. (Revelation 1:16, 20)

Revelation 1:16 (NLT)

16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

Revelation 1:20 (NLT)

20 This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

b. He walks among the churches, observing and evaluating the churches and their members. (Revelation 1:12, 20)

Revelation 1:12 (NLT)

12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands.

Revelation 1:20 (NLT)

2- The evaluation of the Ephesians. (Revelation 2:2a)

Revelation 2:2a (NLT)

a. Work (Οἶδα τὰ ἔργα σου = that which one normally does—‘work, task)

b. labor (τὸν κόπον = to engage in hard work, implying difficulties and trouble—‘hard work, toil, to work hard, to toil, to labor)

B- The resilience when tested. (Revelation 2:2c)

Revelation 2:2c (NLT)

1- Patient endurance (τὴν ὑπομονήν= capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances—‘endurance,)

The Apostles faithfulness in persecution. (Acts 4, etc.)

The Evangelist’s bird dogs vs the bulldog.

C- The rigorous stand for Christ. (Revelation 2:2d, 6)

Revelation 2:2d (NLT)

Revelation 2:6 (NLT)

6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.

1- Standing against immorality. (δύνῃ βαστάσαι κακούς= “don’t tolerate evil”

2- standing against false teachers.

(You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.)

(1 John 4:1)

1 John 4:1 (NLT)

1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

(Galatians 1:8-9)

Galatians 1:8–9 (NLT)

8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.

9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

(Philippians 3:17-19)

Philippians 3:17–19 (NLT)

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.

19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

II- THE RUINOUS ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCH (Revelation 2:4)

Revelation 2:4 (NLT)

4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!

A-The passion was gone.

1- All service was done in a mechanical way.

a. The people were going through the motions, but without passion.

b. Because of the attitude, all that was done became empty and worthless.

(Mark 12:30)

Mark 12:30 (NLT)

30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’

(Malachi 1:10, 13)

Malachi 1:10 (NLT)

10 “How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings.

Malachi 1:13 (NLT)

13 You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.

* Like the person who responds to their spouse out of obligation instead of love.

B- The problem defined:

1- What is “first love?”

a- an abandonment to love and for the one loved without counting the costs.

b- Consumes the thoughts and actions.

c- Enthusiastic and reckless.

2- First love abandoned.

a- Allow the relationship to become the last priority.

become centered on own desires.

cease to desire to spend time with God.

(Malachi 1:13)

Malachi 1:13 (NLT)

C- The prognosis given:

1- Fallen! (Revelation 2:5)

Revelation 2:5 (NLT)

5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

a- When your motivation for life and service is anything but a consuming love for Jesus, you have fallen.

III- THE REVIVING ADMONITION TO THE CHURCH (Revelation 2:5-7)

Revelation 2:5–7 (NLT)

5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.

7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

A- Remember (Revelation 2:5a)

Revelation 2:5 (NLT)

5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

(μνημόνευε = present Active Imperative = keep on remembering.)

1- Remember the love you once had for Jesus.

2- Remember the reckless abandonment to His service.

3- Remember how you couldn’t help telling others about him.

B- Repent (Revelation 2:5b)

Revelation 2:5 (NLT)

5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

(μετανόησον = to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness—‘to repent, to change one’s way, repentance)

(Luke 13:3)

Luke 13:3 (NLT)

3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.

1- Seek His forgiveness for abandoning your love for him for other things or people.

2- Give your heart back to him and return your focus to him.

C- Return (Revelation 2:5c)

Revelation 2:5 (NLT)

5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

“do the works you did at first.” (τὰ πρῶτα ἔργα ποίησον)

1- Return to living your life out of love for him.

2- Think continually about his love for you.

(2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 (NLT)

14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.

15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

3- The church that fails to return to its love relationship with Jesus is doomed. (Revelation 2:5d)

Revelation 2:5 (NLT)

5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

CONCLUSION:

Hymn: “My Jesus, I Love Thee”

by William R. Featherston

1 My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine; for thee all the follies of sin I resign; my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou; if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

2 I love thee because thou hast first loved me and purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree; I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow; if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

3 I'll love thee in life, I will love thee in death, and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath, and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow: If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

4 In mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore thee in heaven so bright; I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow: If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

Related Media

Related Sermons