Ephesus- Theologically Sound but loveless in mission
Notes
Transcript
Perfect theology isnt always perfectly practiced
Perfect theology isnt always perfectly practiced
As we jump into our time in Revelation today we will be in Rev 2:1-7
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
“ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
As we previously stated from verse Rev 1:2- the lampstands represent the churches and the stars represent the messengers or pastors
I will submit to you that others think it is a real angel but i dont think so
the same word that is used for “angel” is used in for a human messenger in Matt 11:10, Mark 1:2, Luke 7:24, 27, 9:52
Seems to me to create issue when you start addressing angels that need to repent of sin that the churches need to repent over- seems to me get fallen angels who can find restoration and we find that nowhere in the bible
We find the audience of the letter- Ephesus
-Bustling town heavily influenced by pagan mythology and idol worship
-The town was educated, advanced and immoral
-The Temple of Artemis was there and it was quite a sight to behold- one of the 7 ancient wonder of the world
-Pliny record sin 95ad the temple dimension were 425 feet long, 220 feet wide, and 60 feet high. It had 12 pillars of marble and 36 of them overlaid with gold and jewels
-We know temple worship and even selling of idols were huge business here because many of them have been found
-but also we know of Pauls preaching here in Acts 19 as the silversmith gets upset with him because people were turning to Jesus and its affected his idol making business
-Beyond that, Paul did stay here atleast 3 years as attested in Acts 19-20
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Paul has a great ministry here and write them a letter of which is Ephesians
-in which encourages the church in their faith and salvation of which was by grace through faith
-But also encourages the continue in unity and love for one another
At the writing of the letter the church been around for roughly 40 years and has been faithful in many ways as God says through John
-But also a church under persecution
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
But I want to reiterate again the importance of the end of the verse
That God is intimately acquainted with his church
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
That matters when your CEO knows whats going on amongst his daily workers doesnt it
Jesus is as we said trascendent but he is also immiment
-He knows his people and knows the workings of the church
Thats absolutely wonderful and terrifying at the same time
“ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
God speaks through John and says, I know your works, toil, and endurance
-they were found faithful in all three
-Works- manner of life amongst the pagan cultures
-Toil and patience- they worked diligently for the cause of Christ and faithfully endured troubles and persecutions from living in a city like Ephesus- 4 major road of Roman Empire meet here - 250-500K people here
-Centerpiece of sin and immorality
But the Ephesians were faithful
Also, they rejected false teachers- Paul told them that would happen in Acts 20:29-30
-Vs 6 speaks of the Nicolaitans- false teachers- rejected by the Ephesians
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
They have endured and persevered for the last 40 years unwaveringly upon the truth
What a commendation?!?
In time where pastors cant keep their name clean in churches- this is a blessing
-Doing it all for God name sake- for His glory as they seek after him
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
in the midst of all there success they had one fatal flaw- they lost their first love
-the love that permeated the first generation Ephesian church had cooled as it was passed to the second generation believers
-So you end up with people who know great theology but it lack its power because now its just mere routines
Some say that John is saying they lost their love for each other or God but I think this is more so accurate
-They lost their love in the Mission of God- that is to redeem a people for himself by his blood
-They no longer are in love with the Love that once pursued them and keeps them now
-Perfect theology that lacks love for the lost does fully understand theology
We love because he first loved us.
Its from the wellspring of Love that we love others and have a desire to share of Jesus
The zeal that was in the first generation has grown cold Acts 19:10 passion of all ain Asia hearing of Jesus has faded
What causes that?
Pride ( Knowledge can create struggles)
Persecution creates bitterness ( they dont need Jesus)
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
But hope is in repentance and returning to a faithful walk with Jesus
-thankful for forgiveness and restoration if genuine repentance is sought both individually and corporately
-I think we like ever church whoever read this letter should ask, have lost our love?
-Repentance is long overdue
However the danger comes in the next words if the church does not realign itself with the Messiahs mission
-God will remove the faithful and effective witness of the church
-division comes, churches split, people lost sight of the mission of God and they fall
-We have seen it over and over
-the churches distinguishing mark should be God and our desire to be like him
-but when that leaves, the churches desire is to do whatever they deem best- and that is always trouble
May we never get there- May we heed the warning and see the promised outcome
Not sure many thing more damaging than a church that has stopped living out the Love that once pursued them
Scholar said this about the Ephesians- their theology was clear as ice and just as cold
We dont want that
Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
We spoke of them briefly and we will spend more time on them when we speak of Pergamum.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
As in the parables, the same call is sent out to the churches
-for those who have ears to hear, heed the warning- listen up
There is only hope for those who persevere in truth
John says- the one who conquers, hold fast the good confession of faith, Walks in the light as he says in 1 John
-To him is eternal life
-The tree of life was taken away in the Garden of Eden but will be there forever in the Heaven as Revelation is the revealing of the triumph of Jesus and return back to the sinlessness
But its only for those who heed his words and obey
Perfect Theology that is not practically lived out- creates loveless, cold churches
Their is cure- repent and be restored- may we listen and obey !