Untitled Sermon (6)

The Church that lost its Love

Revelation 2:1–7 NKJV

1 “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: 2 “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; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 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. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “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.” ’

Intro:

The book of revelation was written by John from Jesus Christ. John was on the isle Patmos. Elab Chapters 2and 3 deal with 7 Churches in Asia. 1:4 The book of Revelation was written between 95-100 AD There probably existed well over a 100 churches by this time.

Paul himself had planted dozens of churches and others apostles would have done the same. There were 7 churches that were written to, but how does it apply to us today?

When we look at what was written about these churches we see things that are going on in churches today.

But it can also apply to individual persons.

So, when we study these churches should say as a church, is that were we are at? As an individual you can say, is that where I am at?

Walton’s. I was ashamed of the condition of the church.

Revelation 2:1 NKJV

1 “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:

Angel: Messenger. By implication a pastor. Elab

John is told write to the pastor at the Church Ephesus.

Ephesus: At the time the letter was written, Ephesus was a flourishing city with a population of about 225, 000. It had a huge harbor that could accommodate large ships. It had become one of the wealthiest cites in the world.

The temple of Diana was there, she was believed to be the mother goddess of the Greek world. She was the goddess of fertility, life, and reproduction. The worship of Diana was very immoral. (Elab some). Sound like a pretty tuff city of have a church, much like many of our cites today.

1. These words that are written are coming from the one that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand. VS 1

a. The one holding the stars. Jesus

b. The seven stars are the seven pastors.

c. The golden candle sticks or the seven churches.

d. Christ is the head of the church.

f. But he gave pastors to feed the flock, teach, to encourage. This why he is sending this message to the pastors, for them to give it to the church.

This is the message to the church if Ephesus.

I. Jesus examines their reputation: VS 2, 3, 6

Revelation 2:2 (NKJV)

2 “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;

1. I know your works”

a. This statement is made to each of the churches.

b. God know our works at PGBC.

c. God knows your works, He knows mine. . Means: Toil.

“your labour” Means: Cuts. Meaning pains. (Lord have mercy on me)

“your patience” Means: Endurance, constancy. They did not give up even when things got bad.

that you cannot bear those who are evil.

Bear: To lift. To endure.

Them which are evil. Worthless.

2. This church was in a city that was bound to all kinds of sin. The worship of Diana involved all kinds of sexual sin.

a. There were graven images of Diana all around.

b. Ephesus was a wealthy city. There was a love of money. (Where is your treasure?)

c. The believers of Ephesus had overcome all of this. They hated the evil and did not tolerate wicked men.

VS 2b

“And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;”

1. There were those that came into the church and called themselves Apostles (special messengers from God) they were liars (deceitful)

a. They did not put up with those that were that came in and taught false doctrine.

b. False doctrine is in many churches today.

Salvation. Elab. Times have changed. Elab

VS 3

Revelation 2:3 NKJV

3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

1. It had not been easy for the Christians at Ephesus. They had had their share of opposition and criticism from the world.

a. But they did not give up easily. They keep on year after year, even when there was a lack results for all the good that they were doing.

b. They may not have been very fruitful but they were faithful. They struggled on and God commended them for it. But he will show them their fault.

VS 6

Revelation 2:6 (NKJV)

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

1. The Nicolaitians: They were a sect of Gnostics, which had an evil influence on the early Christians.

a. They taught impure doctrines, and followed impure practices. Rev 2:14,15 talk more about it when we get to that church.

b. They were a group that some churches allowed to come in, but not the Church at Ephesus.

6 “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

2. That is a very strong statement. Hate: To detest.

a. They hated the false teaching. They hated the thought of their false of teaching being brought into the church.

b. God hates false teaching (stumbling block) bring brought into the church.

The church had heard all that the Lord, and approved of. But now things take a turn.

II. Jesus Exposes the Reality. VS 4

VS 4

Revelation 2:4 NKJV

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Nevertheles: The opposite direction. Elab

1. I have this against you: To charge.

a. You have left: Abandoned.

b. First: Place of importance.

c. Love: Love feast.

2. They were doing all kinds of good things. Elab But they had lost their love for the Lord. They were doing all the right things for all the wrong reasons.

a. It is possible to serve the Lord for a variety of motives. For the praise of men, for prestige or position, for the sake of reputation, or because it is simply the thing to do, or because of a since of duty.

b. If your service for the Lord is not born of a devoted passion for the Lord it is worthless.

III. Jesus Explains the Remedy. VS 5

Revelation 2:5 (NKJV)

5 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.

“Remember therefore from where you are fallen”

1. Paul had visited Ephesus about 40 years before the book of Revelation was written and stayed there for about 3 years. During his time there revival broke out.

a. They were on fire for the Lord. Their hearts were in the right place. They praised and worshiped the Lord with all their hearts. Their love for the Lord was greater than their love for anything else.

b. Do you remember when you first got saved? You loved the Lord some much that He was on your mind constantly, and all you wanted to talk about was his love for you, and what he had done for you.

c. Is it still that way today, or have we become like the Church at Ephesus?

d. There was a time 40 years before when the Church at Ephesus was on fire for the Lord. But not anymore, the frame had flickered.

e. There are many churches and believers like that today. Outwardly good works, religious traditions, but inwardly they are empty.

f. Many Christians go through motions. Give to the needy and others good deeds. Attend every church service because that is what you are supposed to do. But where is there first love? Where is their love at all?

g. In the book Ephesians, Paul tells that they have lost not only for their love for Christ, but for their love for each other.

h. If we still had our first love, there wouldn’t be any backbiting or jealousy on our churches.

i. If we still had our first love, we would be lifting each other up instead of trying to knock each other down.

j. If we still had our first love we would be praising and worshiping God with a joyful noise.

k. God cares about what’s in our hearts. Do you love the Lord more than anything else? More than positions, more than selfish motives?

l. Without our first love our lives well be miserable. We need to return to our first love.

j. How do we return to our first love?

VS 5b

5b “repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”

“repent” To think differently. In other works, don’t keep doing things the way you have been, change your ways. Get back to the way you use to be.

“or else”

I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place

1. If you don’t repent I am going to come and remove your church. Did it happen? Yes it did, there is not church there, there is no city of Ephesus.

a. What will Christ do today if the church does not repent? The same thing. There may still be a building, there may still be people, and there may still be singing and even good works. There may come a time where there is not repentance and the Lord takes his hand off the church

b. We need to share our hearts, are we still in love with Jesus?

.

IV. Jesus Expounds the Reward. VS 7

Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)

7 “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.” ’

“He who has a ear let him hear” This want be the last time we see this statement.

In this verse the Lord is giving us a warning. We had better hear his word and follow his commandments. “If you love me keep my commandments”

To him who overcomes

1. Who is he talking about when he says “him that overcomes”?

I John 5:1-5 Read and elab

1 John 1:1–5 NKJV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

1. He commends them in the beginning, he hits them hard about their sin, than he closes by saying listen to what I have to say.

a. If you are a believer (elab) you can overcome the wickedness of the world.

b. Overcome the world that causes you to lose your first love, the love you had for Jesus.

Matthew 22:37 NKJV

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

If you have lost that love, repent, regain it.

If you have never had, receive it today.