The Loveless Church

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.” ’

Jesus, the master teacher and encourager, begins by illustrating His deep regard for them by where He walks, right in the midst of them. He also commends the church for the good things they’ve done and ends with a promise of everlasting life. But sandwiched right in the middle is their fault- they have left their first love.

It’s easy for fallen creatures such as us to dwell on the faults of others. Even the title of this message acknowledges that perspective.

If you were to ask a group of Christians what they know about this church at Ephesus, they would probably be able to tell you they were the church that lost their first love, but not much about what they were commended by Jesus for. But not only do we tend to dwell on the negative, but also to try somehow and bury the dirty deed with more good.

We try to offset the bad with good!

But, Jesus doesn’t let us get away with that.

He wants us to do battle with our faults!

The Church at Ephesus was a well known church.

The Temple of Diana was in this great city, and known as one of the seven wonders of the world.

The preaching of the gospel was directly affecting the worship of Diana, and many of the smiths who made good livings by providing idols were not happy see Acts 19:23-41. Demetrius a leader among the silver smiths called for a meeting to address this problem and it turned into a riot.

Paul himself spent three years in Ephesus teaching and preaching until this riot forced him out, but the gospel continued to flourish.

This is the church we are looking at today.

I. He is intimately involved in His church. vs. 1-6

A. He walks with us.

Walk expresses interaction, not just presence.

He is actively engaging with us every day. He goes where we go, and He is concerned about us.

When we do good, He is there.

When we are not, He is there.

He walks with us through this life.

B. He holds us.

Specifically here, the messengers of the church.

But definitely all the members of the body.

C. He knows us.

I know your works

All our works. Perhaps you didn’t think that our works were important to Him, but they are.

He even knows the motives behind those works, and sees our heart.

I know your labor

I know your patience

I know that you cannot bear those who are evil

I know you have tested those who claim they apostles and are not

I know you have patiently persevered and have not become weary

D. He Judges us.

Many have speculated what Jesus means here by, “left your first love”.

I don’t think they didn’t love Jesus!

In fact I believe they did, but I don’t think their love was as fervent as when they began this spiritual journey!

Jesus does not just want us to love Him- But, to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength!

And so, He constantly seeks for our spiritual fervency and growth.

He is like the vinedresser in John 15- He will prune us and prune us until we produce the desired fruit.

E. He praises us.

Yes, for holding the to truth, even to the point of hating the deeds of the cults!

The Nicolaitans were a cult. Their name literally means “conquering of people”.

They were probably like many of the cults today - religious and Christian in name only, but denying the true doctrines of the faith.

And Jesus says He also hates this!

II. He promises a reward for overcomers. vs.7

What is it that these hearers are to overcome?

Not surprising that this is not the first time Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear...”

We find it in ...

Matt. 11:15;13:9,43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8

So what’s He talking about?

It is a general plea to all those out there as well as to those in the organized church that are not born again.

Is your spiritual hearing on?

And so, to those who overcome...

1 John 5:5 NKJV

5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

We overcome the world when we trust Christ.

And for those who do overcome as the Ephesus church did; love Him with everything you have.

Give Him your best!

Walk in the Spirit!

Take up your cross daily!

Keep His commandments!

Enter in at the narrow gate!

As Joshua said, “Choose you this day whom you will serve!”

Do not loose the fervency you had for Him when you first trusted Christ!

These directives to the churches are the things which are now, not the future events.

If we are too concerned with the future to deal with the present, we will not be ready for what is coming!