Ephesus
Letters from Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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Jesus is the message of the scriptures
love letters from Jesus
good news from start to finish. revelation of the extreme goodness and radical favor of God
read the scriptures to see what Jesus has done and is now doing
I want you to see His (Jesus’) heart
Who wrote revelation?
Who wrote revelation?
Who wrote revelation?
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
John
superstar - walked with Jesus, mt of Transf, leaned on Jesus’ breast, saw empty tomb
alone on an island (Patmos), Jesus gave him such a sweet vision that we’re still talking about it 2000 years later
John saw the vision & wrote it down towards the end of the 1st century (around AD95/96)
Church in Danger of extinction
Jerusalem church
Disciples died
John exiled on rocky isle
church survived - one of the reasons - these letters from heaven
To whom were the letters written?
To whom were the letters written?
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
Not Asia as we know it - modern day Turkey
saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
Rev 1:11
written to churches in Ephesus Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea
letters carried by volunteers (Pastors hosted)
read each others letters
for the whole body of Christ - at the end of each letter - hear what the Spirit says to the Churches
Why were the letters written?
Why were the letters written?
heavy persecution
Religious Jews
pagans
Romans
responded to the bad news of their curcumstances, by bringing them good news
each letter opens with a picture of Jesus and closes with a promise - 2 things you need to see
Jesus - above your circumstances
Promise - to hold on to
they give us hope - no matter how bad things get or look, Jesus is always with us.
Letters speak to us on 2 levels - address
universal issues - God’s purposes for humanity
personal issues - Your place in His eternal dream
Ephesus
Ephesus
“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:
“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;
and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
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.
But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
“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.” ’
Rev 2:1-7
Ephesus - seaport city - biggest and busiest in Asia
crossroads for trade, travelers, and pilgrims visiting the famed Temple of Artemis
Paul planted a church there
Some years later, John lived there and returned after his exile on Patmos
“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:
Who is the angel of the church?
Who is the angel of the church?
angel - messenger
The Pastor
Who are the letters for?
Who are the letters for?
not just for individual Pastors
each letter ends with - hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches
Jesus is speaking to all the churches - not just the seven churches of Asia
I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
These letters are for all believers
I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
Rev 2:23
Rev 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
It’s a universal invitation
What is the meaning of the name Ephesus?
What is the meaning of the name Ephesus?
desirable or desired one
someone appointed by John
initially - Paul. Aquila/Priscilla, Timothy, Tychicus
The Ephesians left their first love
In this letter, their first love calls for the desired church to return to him
“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:
Rev 2:1
Who is the One holding the seven stars?
Who is the One holding the seven stars?
Jesus
If the Bible is an art gallery, the rev letters are a special wing containing 7 portraits of Jesus
These portraits are found at the beginning of each of the 7 letters
They are self-portraits painted by Jesus himself
Not 2nd hand - not hearing about Jesus through another
Jesus revealing Jesus using word pictures found nowhere else
Who are the seven stars?
Who are the seven stars?
The mystery of the seven stars which 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 which you saw are the seven churches.
Pastors - those who teach the gospel of righteousness are called stars
Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
Dan 12:3
false teachers are called wandering stars
raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.
Why His right hand?
Why His right hand?
The right hand of God signifies His power and strength
“Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.
Ex 15:6
Saves us
That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me.
Ps 6-:5
Holds us
My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.
Shelters us
Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
PV
Place of honor
Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
“For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
“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:
Jesus is telling the Pastors that he is holding them with His mighty right hand
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
In Sardis - He’s holding them, but no hand is mentioned
In Ephesus - He is holding them with strength in His mighty right hand
“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:
What are the seven golden lampstands? The 7 churches
A lampstand, like a church, is a bearer of light
made of gold - meaning they are precious
In the Lord’s eyes, any church - no matter how small or dysfunctional - is highly valued
Where is Jesus walking? Among the lampstands or churches
Before Jesus came, people pictured God walking in the heavens () - way up there and distant.
God’s desire has always been to be with us.
He is the man from heaven who walks with us by His Spirit here on earth.
Jesus is not sitting on a cloud or wandering above the galaxies. He is among the lampstands, nurturing and enjoying his church.
