BIDDULPH AOG Pm Thursday, 26th Jan. 2006

Place: Biddulph AOG.           Date: Pm Thursday, 26th Jan. 2006.

Text: Revelation 1:20.            Theme: The 7 Churches of Revelation.

Introduction:                          Reading: Revelation 2:1-3:22.

          “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.”

          In the book of Revelation, we step into a strange and unfamiliar world. There are angels and demons, lambs and lions, horses and dragons. Seals are broken, trumpets are blown, and bowls are poured out. The result is that some consider its pages hard to study, I wonder why?

          BUT, this should not be, for the book of Revelation a part of the divine Word of God. The book claims a special blessing for both readers and hearers, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” chapter 1:3. No other book in the bible proclaims that blessing for those that study its chapters.

1ST POINT: THE REVELATION.

A. WHOSE IS IT?

          “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants … And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John” chapter 1:1.

          The New Testament word for “revelation” is to “uncover” or “to take away the veil” or “to bring from hiding.” This book does not try to cover up or hide the message of God but rather to reveal it, to uncover it. I do not understand all that there is in the growing of flowers, yet I enjoy the beauty of gardens. I may not understand all that there is in the book of Revelation, yet I need to read it.

B. WHAT IS IT?

          The message of this book is a revelation of “things which must shortly take place” chapter 1:1.

          It had a message for the day it was written, and it has a message for today. It is therefore important to us. Much is being written today about the church or by the church. BUT, what does Christ Jesus say about the churches?

          For He is the Founder, the Head, the Chief Cornerstone. Note that Christ Jesus was in the midst of the candlestick, which means He had walked in the midst of theses churches, so He knew all about them. He has walked in the midst of us also.

2ND POINT: THE CHURCHES.

A. THE CHURCHES AT THAT TIME.

          The churches in the first Christians century were greatly oppressed. The persecution that began under Caesar Nero had grown steadily worse until the whole Christian movement was threatened with death. Could the church survive?

          Yet they grew strong, because if you would face death because of your faith, you would become more faithful to Christ or walk away from God.

          Nothing before had been able to defy the might of the Roman Empire. But, this was not the only peril. The churches were also hampered by the threat of doctrinal error and worldly living.

B. THE CHURCH TODAY.

          The churches today face many of the same perils. In scattered places of the world there is open hostility to Christian missions and persecution of believers. Maybe we need a bit more persecution ourselves, to make us stronger in the Lord.

3RD POINT: THE CHRIST.

          John saw Christ among the churches.

1.     In Ephesus, He saw a church that had left its first love, a backslidden church.

2.     In Smyrna, He saw a church, in the midst of tribulation.

3.     In Paramus, He saw a church that was faithful to His name.

4.     In Thyatira, He saw a worldly church.

5.     In Sardis, He saw a dead church.

6.     In Philadelphia, He saw a church that had a great opportunity for missions.

7.     In Laodicia, He saw a church that was lukewarm.

CONCLUSION:

          I wonder that the risen Christ sees as He walks in this church? I am sure He knows all about us.

1ST CHURCH: EPHESIANS, REVELATION 2:4.

THE MESSAGE TO A BACKSLIDDEN CHRUCH.

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

Revelation 2:1-7.

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 labour, 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 laboured 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.”

The church at Ephesus was one of the best churches of early days. It was also one that Paul founded. As recorded in Acts 19. Paul stayed there for two years, and Acts 19:20 “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”

Ephesus was a free city, that is the people were self-governed and were excepted from having Romans soldiers garrisoned there. It was also a magnificent city.

1ST POINT: CHRIST’S MESSAGE TO HIS CHURCH.

          Christ can call His churches by name, because He knows them. He knows our church also. What would be His message to us? What is Jesus saying here to His church?

A. COMMENDATION. CHAPTER 2:1-3.

Verse 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:

Verse 2. I know your works, your labour, 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;

Verse 3. And you have persevered and have patience, and have laboured for My name's sake and have not become weary.”

1. Their works.

          Jesus says, “I know your works.” The word “works” means “hard labour.” It means the kind of toil that takes all the energy of mind and muscle. This was an active, busy church. Her weekly calendar was full. The members have themselves to their church work with great energy.

2. Their patience.

          This word says, “Steadfast endurance.” This is a courageous stand that turns hardship and suffering into grace and glory. Ephesus was also the headquarters of a pagan religion. The Christians there never had it easy.

3. Their doctrine.

          This word says, “You cannot bear those who are evil.” Jesus warns His church that there would come false teachers who would attempt to lead the faithful astray. The Bible insists that we try the Spirits and not allow those who deny the faith to teach and preach.

          Ephesus did this. This was a good church, loyal, faithful, hard working, and orthodox. BUT, in spite of all this, something was missing.

B. CONDEMNATION. CHAPTER 2:4.

Verse 4. “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

          The word against the church is “you have left your first love.” The Ephesians zeal in the Lord had grown cold. They had become a backslidden church. Let us be on guard also. We can become so concerned about programmes and works that the Spirit is forgotten.

          We can be busy that love dries up. A church that was once a band of brothers united in Christ can become an assembly of suspicious men. The toil is still there, and the endurance, BUT, the love is gone. Have we lost our first love?

C. COMMAND. CHAPTER 2:5.

Verse 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.”

1. Remember when you fell.

          This is not a command to the person who has never been to church. But the faithful! Memory is often the first step back. It was so for the prodigal son. He remembered the abundance in his father’s house.

2. Repent.

          When we are brought to realize our loss, we are commanded to repent. Repentance means to turn about, to change direction. Repentance is not guilt because you have been caught; it is to turn away your wrong doing. It is like an army order, “about turn.” Real repentance sys, “I have sinned and done evil in your sight.”

3. Return.

          Remembering and repenting is not of value, unless we return to that love that brought us to Christ. That caused those “first works.” Here the word “works” does not mean “toils.” But it means “occupation” or calling, the job you have to do, the work you have been called to do.

          Christ is telling this church to return to their first love, their first business, their first responsibility, their first charge. For every church that should be in the work of evangelism, reaching and winning people to Christ Jesus the Lord. So that He can have all the glory.

CONCLUSION:

          “All they which…hear the Word of the Lord.” “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.”

          MAY SUCH BE SAID OF OUR CHURCH!