WHAT KIND OF CHURCH ARE YOU? Ephesus

WHAY KIND OF CHURCH ARE YOU?

EPHESUS

REVELATION 2:1-7

Rev. 1:19-20: in these verses Jesus gives us the outline, the key to Revelation. Write the things which you have seen. Chapter 1. The things which are. Ch2-3. The things which will take place. Ch 4-22.

This morning and for the next several weeks we will look at the things which are. In fact from the time John wrote this letter until Jesus comes for His Bride, is the Time of things which are. It’s the church age. These letters were written to seven literal churches in Asia Minor, but they represent the entire church age. They are corporate letters to the churches today. Throughout every age of church history the natures of these seven churches have existed. They are also personal letters to each of us today. In every Christian we may experience these natures during our life. Its an exhortation to us today!

Remember who is writing these letters to the churches, Jesus Christ, The First and the last, the alpha and omega, the beginning and end, the Lord The Almighty, the one who was and is and is to come, enthroned in Heaven above. Wearing a robe of righteousness and judgement, a face as bright as the sun, and Eyes as of a flame of fire.

Ephesus means desirable! It was a very wealthy and powerful city in the Roman empire. It was one of the banking capitols of the ancient world. it boasted of its diversity and its open religions. Temples existed of many different gods, but none matched the splendor of The temple to Diana. One og the seven wonders of the ancient world. 425ft lond 250ft wide and 100ft tall!

Because of its location, being a port city, it was a place of trade and commerce. The New York City of its day. It was also the religious capitol of the area. It was truly Desirable.

It was to this church that Jesus addressed His first letter! *INSTITUTE FOR AMERICAN CHURCH GROWTH SURVEY* isn’t it interesting that Jesus chose john to write the Revelation and to pen His letter to Ephesus. The Apostle who was called John the Beloved! Who wrote Three epistles and all through out those three letters was one main theme! 1 John 4:7–8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” Ancient church historians tell us that as the aged old apostle was carried into the church at Ephesus he would raise his hand and with a loud voice say, “Brethren, Love One Another!” where did John get this from? John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Church history also tells us this was a very thriving church! An amazing church. J. Vernon Magee writes concerning this church, “This was the church that became so potent in its evangelism, that even emperors and the nobility of that day had an opportunity to hear the gospel. In that region there was such a mighty moving of the Spirit of God that it has probably never been seen since.”

So, WHAT KIND OF CHURCH ARE YOU?

1. ARE YOU A CHURCH SINCERELY DESIRING HIS PRESENCE? Vs 1

Jesus tells us that He holds the seven stars in His hand and walks in the midst of the seven lampstands. Jesus has all authority over the church and the Pastor/leader of the church. Meaning that the execution and implementation of God’s will for His church is to flow through His leader who is under His direct ownership. The pastor/teacher is his slave.

What Jesus is saying is that, no matter what, your pastor, your church, the people, YOU are under my absolute authority as your lord and savior. this church had no problem being under Jesus authority! I mean look at their pastors, Paul, Timothy, John! They new Jesus was the ultimate authority and that He walked among the church. Examining it. He sees what is the true condition of the church. Is it warm and inviting, caring? Reaching out? When we are in the Presence of Jesus he will examine us. Just as a Dr. examines a patient. He sees what is our true desires and motives. When we desire yo be in his presence, he sees us as we really are and convicts us when there is bad and commends us when there is good. He shows us what needs to be corrected in our lives and that’s not a pleasant thing is it?

2. ARE YOU A CHURCH THAT IS WILLING TO OBEY HIM IN ALL THINGS? Vs 2-3

Now He has walked in the midst of Ephesus and examined it, then he gives the diagnoses. On the surface this church is a pastors dream! Man they were active, busy, growing, influential and they had a vision! They were loving towards one another and inviting to others. A great mission minded church with a great outreach program! They did everything right! {1} I know your works. These are works that flow out from a true faith in God! They worked for the Lord and not out of obligation, but b/c they wanted to be obedient to Him. {2} I know your labor. This word means that they served so faithfully and so long that when they stopped they were exhausted! It speaks of the fact that it cost them something to serve Lord Jesus Christ and they loved to serve Him! {3} I know your patience. This speaks of their attitude. They had a happy heart and were glad to continue on in the face of persecution. They knew it would cost to serve Jesus and they counted it and served any way! {4} I know you cant bear those who are evil. They confronted evil and corrected it. They were obedient to the command to address and when needed apply church discipline. Very few churches will obey Christ in this area today. That’s why they are so many weak and polluted churches. They are sick from within. {5} I know you test those who say thay are apostles and find them to be liars. They were a church that took church seriously. They protected the church from false doctrines and teachers. {6} I know you have persevered. They never gave up. They always persisted and fought on against an evil world and the attackers of the church. They didn’t quit! {7} I know you have patience, endurance. The desire to stay with it. To stick it out.to be a solution and not a problem. {8} I know you have labored for my names sake. Labor- to plod. To put one foot in front of another till you get there. They labored and carried on for His name sake. Not personal glory not to boast or be bragged on. {9} I know you have not become weary. They knew that serving Him had a purpose and they didn’t get weary of it. They may have been weary in the work but not weary of the work.

Their exam has 10 wonderful admirable qualities. Things we should all aspire to and can achieve if we are wiiling to be obedient to Him in all things and desire to be in His presence.

3. ARE YOU A CHURCH IN LOVE WITH JESUS? vs 4-7

It depends on where our hearts are at. Jesus knows and sees our motives, remember. In the original language a literal reading would have been I against you. He is saying b/c you haven’t included me. You have left me. You’ve went without me. The word left in the Greek means to send away, to lay aside, to let go. Not in the sense of dropping but letting something go away. *Elsa* He sees the inside of the heart, the true us. Ephesus on the outside was an amazing church. Look at all the things we listed that were commendable! But jesus sees the heart. How do you see me this am? Do you see whats going on inside me?

You have left your first love. What is it to leave your first love? What it doesn’t mean is 1st love doesn’t mean loving others. Loving his word. Loving His return. According to Jesus you cant be excited about loving people, or his word or his return unless you are in love with the Person of Jesus Christ. *first love, the honeymoon years*

Ephesus had left their love for Jesus. their hearts had grown cold on the inside invisible to all but Jesus.

He has examined them and looked at their heart and found a problem he diagnosed it and now he gives His treatment plan. Remember, repent, and redo—that’s what Jesus was calling the Ephesian believers to. Remember your first love. Remember the excitement of knowing you are right with the Lord and your sins are forgiven. Experience in your heart once again the removal of the fear of death and the joy of eternal life. Repent—turn from what you were doing and begin doing the right things. Put your sin behind you and live a life of holiness. Too many people who claim to be Christians want to play it both ways. They have the “sin on Saturday and pray on Sunday” mindset. But that doesn’t fly with God, because repentance doesn’t come from the lips in a prayer of forgiveness. It comes from the heart in an attitude of sorrow and humility. Determine now to be done with sin so that you may live for Christ. Then redo. The Ephesian church went from revival to rebuke. A return to revival was just a heart change away. The same is true for you. If you have let your love for Jesus wane or if you’ve never known Jesus well enough to establish that “first love” relationship, let today be your day of drawing near. Notice that the Lord didn’t give the Ephesians a long list of penitential to-dos to get back on His good side. He simply called them back. Turn from what you’re doing now and live life God’s way. Spend time with Him, get into His Word, build the relationship. You’ll be amazed at just how quickly your love for Him will grow.

He ends with a warning. I will remove your lampstand! To the individual, Not your salvation but I will remove your witness, your testimony. To the church, I will shut your doors. You will cease to be effective for me.

But to Him who overcomes! To those who hold fast the faith, even and especially in trying times, I will give to eat from the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God! He wil restore that joy, that love that comes from walking with God and fellowshipping with Him.

Conclusion: what kind of church are you? individually. Are you sincerely desiring to be in His Presence? Are you willing to obey Jesus in all things? No matter the cost? Are you in love with Jesus or have you left your first love?