Messages to the Churches:

“EPHESUS: THE FALLEN CHURCH”

Revelation 2:1-7

Theme:  Faithfulness to the cause can never replace faithfulness to Christ!  

The format of the messages to the churches follows a pattern of:

1)                 The Command to Write

2)                 The Characterization of Christ

3)                 The Commendation of the Church

4)                 The Condemnation of the Church

5)                 The Correction of the Church

6)                 The Call to the Church

7)                 The Challenge for the Church

I.                   The HANDLING OF RESPONSIBILITY – 2:1-3

A.                It Was an Industrious Church – “deeds, toil, perseverance …”

1.                   This message to Ephesus begins with a self-disclosure by our Lord – indicating that He was still very much committed to providing everything that the believers needed – “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: …”

2.                   Christ immediately beings commending this church for their faithfulness in several areas – one of which is the “work” that they were doing.

a.                   He begins by commending their deeds – “I know your deeds” – a reference to the general conduct of their lives – they were generally moral, upright, and well mannered

b.                  He then addresses their labors – “… and your toil …” – a reference to the exertion that characterized their service – to the point of sweat & exhaustion.

c.                   This exertion was not temporary or short-lived – “… and perseverance” – a quality demonstrating that they were willing to patiently endure the hardships that come from their faith.

3.                   The problem that exists with this church is not a lack of industry, service, toil, and effort – demonstrating that the presence of such things does not mean the church is healthy.

4.                   There are many churches that are busy, confusing activity for godliness – but are not what they need to be.

B.                 It Was a Intolerant Church – “… and that you cannot tolerate evil men …”

1.                   The second general commendation that the Lord provides for this church is that they were intolerant – “… and that you cannot tolerate evil men …”

2.                   These believers held to a high and holy standard – demonstrating a sensitivity to sin.

3.                   However, such an intolerance of the encroachment of evil into the church does not mean that the church is what it needs to be.

4.                   Some churches that are doggedly opposed to “evil” have degenerated into legalistic, self-righteous, and proud state of “churchianity”.

C.                 It Was an Informed Church – “… and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; …”

1.                   At this point, the church had some of the Scriptures, but not all.

2.                   The portion of the Scripture that this church did have served as the guide for what was acceptable to them regarding teaching.

3.                   Anyone who taught had to conform to the faith once delivered – testing what they heard so that false doctrine would not invade – cp. 1 John 4:1; Acts 20:28-31

4.                   Searching the Scriptures to check accuracy and maintain purity is considered by God to be a “noble” thing – cp. Acts 17:11

5.                   However, such churches can be intellectually precise – rightly dividing orthodoxy and maintaining a commitment to doctrine and not be what they ought to be.

D.                 It Was an Immovable Church – “… and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. “

1.                   Their perseverance is once again noted by the Lord – indicating that they had indeed suffered significant hardship because of their professing the name of Christ.

2.                   They had “not grown weary” – that is, they had not given in to disappointment, discouragement, and ingratitude.

3.                   However, such churches can be merely stubborn and determined to outlast the opposition out of pride and image – and are not necessarily what they ought to be.

II.                the Hollowness of relationship – 2:4

A.                The Loss of Fervency

1.                   Although these saints were doing everything they were responsible to do, they had allowed their devotion to Christ to diminish.

2.                   Their activity, theology, conduct, and perseverance were all fine – their hearts were the problem.

3.                   For some, this is a problem of their will – although having trusted Christ, they have never yielded themselves completely to Him, retaining a certain pride in themselves.

4.                   They had allowed their relationship to Christ to become familiar – thus, routine had replaced the vibrancy of relationship.

B.                 The Lesson of Faltering

1.                   Those who shipwreck spiritually usually follow the same path.

2.                   They :

a.                   A cooling of spiritual love for God

b.                  A gradual love for the things of the world

c.                   A spiritual compromise and corruption so as to serve worldly things

d.                  A departure from the faith and loss of testimony

III.             the Healing through Repentance – 2:5-7

A.                Recall Your Original Commitment – v. 5a

1.                   The

B.                 Repent of Your Faltering Commitment – v. 5b

1.                   The.

C.                 Reveal Your Renewed Commitment – v. 5c

1.                    

D.                 Realize the Future Dangers of Neglecting Commitment – v. 5d

1.                    

E.                  Revitalize the Areas where Commitment has Endured – v. 6

1.                    

F.                   Remember the Reward Awaiting those Committed – v. 7

1.