Untitled Sermon

Christ and the Church

Revelation 1:12–2:7 (ESV)

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Introduction. Recap- Revelation of JC given to the apostle John in exile for his faith by God through angel. Provided several Visions that were to be written down-

We are blessed for reading, listening, and obeying what is found in this book.

Apocalyptic literature- Not wooden literal. Usually figurative visions that are word pictures, but contains real truth.

Spoke the early church, predicts the coming of Christ with the church’s final consummation, but has meaning for the church in every generation.

The number seven- Perfect and complete

Church called to be a faithful witness for Christ as he was the faithful witness in his life, death and resurrection and provides testimony to the world.

Today-Goal is to see the relationship between Christ and the Church and provide one example of the seven messages by looking at Ephesus.

1. Christ is intimately involved with individual churches

2. He knows us, affirms us and admonishes us, and provides a means and encouragement to reconcile our relationships.

3. Jesus’ goal if for the church to be in a right relationship with God, each other, and the world.

1. Christ is intimately involved with individual churches

Revelation 1:12–13 (ESV)

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.

Seven Golden Lampstands- Jesus introduces himself and holding the se en starts and walking among the seen gloden lampstands, which refers back to ch. 1. In the Eph church, he is always in their midst. and keenly aware of how they are living.

Before addressing thei preoblem he encourages them for their hard labor of persevering in doctrinal faithfulness.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV

3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Identified false teachers- Need good doctrine. Acts 20:28-30

Acts 20:28–30 ESV

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

I Timothy as well.

in the midst in Christ- Son of man, our high priest and our God.

He holds the angels of the church in his right hand

Message is to fear not- Right hand on John

2. He knows us

In our midst

Ephesus- I know your works… Positives- works. toil and patient endurance, Cannot bear unsound doctrine, enduring for Christ, not grown weary, you hate work of the Nicalaitans which I also hate.

But, You have abandoned the love you had at first.

3. Right relationship

So serious that he would remove their lampstand.

Gospel- Sin becomes identified, repent, return to the works of your first love. By God’s grace we listen, repentant conquer being granted eternal life (Tree of life in paradise).

First and last in danger of losing their identity as as christian church, 3 central letter mixed faithful and some who have compromised, 2 and 6th, proved themselves faithful. Healthy churches are in a minority.

4. Light of witness.

Matthew 24:12–14 (ESV)

12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

5. Rekindle the zealous flame of their lamp by … to be a witnessing lampstand Christ holding the 7 stars9 Heavenly help. If they do not repent Christ will come and remove their lampstand They are to be light bearers.

Isaiah 42:6–7 ESV

6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Ephesus- Center of the Christian mission work of Paul and residence of John. Best port of entry into that part of Asian Minor.

ταδε λεγει κθριος OT formula used over 100 x in the OT for prophets.

Goddess Artemis

Lampstand in the tabernacle represented teh tree of life. Two olive trees.

Not just letters, but prophetic. ταδε λεγει

Walking amoung the lampstands.

Christ is always in their midst and keenly aware how they are living

Church had discerned doctrinal inconsistency.