The Church that lost its Love

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.” ’

Intro: Elab at the first of the year. 50 people in church of Sunday morning. Then Covid 19 hit, and really messed things up. No in church services for 7 weeks. No wed night prayer meetings.

I read recently that because of this pandemic 1 in every 5 churches will close. (Close have closed, restaurants) Larger churches have cut staff, pastors have had to find a job, if they are available.

We are living in a day that can be fearful, or discouraging. We, “the church need revival” I believe this is great timing for us, I know it is for me.

If we are going to have revival, we need to look deep inside and seek God, and see where we are (I mean you and me, and PGBC)

If we are going to grow, we can talk about what we need to do, but we have to be in love if Jesus first.

The book of revelation was written by John from a vision from Jesus Christ. John was on the isle Patmos. Elab

Chapters 2and 3 deal with 7 Churches in Asia. The book of Revelation was written between 95-100 AD There probably existed well over a 100 churches by this time. Paul himself had planted dozens of churches and others apostles would have done the same.

He writes to 7 of them, we are going to look at one of them today. I hope and pray to this will help us to love the Lord like we should. Get ready for revival.

This was written to churches, but it can apply to the individual person too.

Walton’s. I was ashamed of the condition of the church.

Revelation 2:1 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:

Angel: Messenger. By implication a pastor. Elab

John is told write to the pastor at the Church Ephesus

Ephesus: At the time the letter was written, Ephesus was a flourishing city with a population of about 225, 000. It had a huge harbor that could accommodate large ships. It had become one of the wealthiest cites in the world.

The temple of Diana was there, she was believed to be the mother goddess of the Greek world. She was the goddess of fertility, life, and reproduction. The worship of Diana was very immoral. (Elab some). Sound like a pretty tuff city of have a church, much like many of our cites today.

1. These words that are written are coming from the one that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand. VS 1

a. The one holding the stars. Jesus

b. The seven stars are the seven pastors.

c. The golden candle sticks or the seven churches

d. Christ is the head of the church.

f. But he gave pastors to feed, give knowledge and understanding. This is why he is sending this message to the pastors, for them to give it to the church.

I. Jesus examines their reputation: VS 2, 3, 6

Revelation 2:2 NKJV

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;

VS 2“I know your works”

a. God knows your works. Means: Toil. Labor, deeds.

b. This statement is made to each of the churches.

c. God know our works at PGBC.

d. He knows your works.

e. Not works to get you salvation, that comes only by grace.

“and your labour” Troubles, pain.

“your patience” Means: Endurance, constancy. They did not give up even when things got bad.

“you can not bear them which are evil”

. This church was in a city that was bound to all kinds of sin. The worship of Diana involved all kinds of sexual sin.

a. There were graven images of Diana all around.

b. Ephesus was a wealthy city. There was a love of money. (Where is your treasure?)

c. The believers of Ephesus had overcome all of this. They hated the evil and did not tolerate wicked men.

VS 2b And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

1. There were those that came into the church and called themselves Apostles (special messengers from God) they were liars (deceitful)

a. They did not put up with those that were that came in and taught false doctrine.

b. False doctrine is in many churches today.

Salvation. Elab. Times have changed. Elab

Revelation 2:3 NKJV

3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

1. It had not been easy for the Christians at Ephesus. They had had their share of opposition and criticism from the world.

a. But they did not give up easily. They keep on year after year, even when there was a lack results for all the good that they were doing.

b. They may not have been very fruitful but they were faithful. They struggled on and God commended them for it. But he will show them their fault.

Revelation 2:6 NKJV

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

1. The Nicolaitians: They were a sect of nostics, which had an evil influence on the early Christians.

a. They taught impure doctrines, and followed impure practices. Rev 2:14,15

Revelation 2:14–15 NKJV

14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

b. They were a group that some churches allowed to come in, but not the Church at Ephesus

“you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitians, which I hate”

2. This is a very strong statement. Hate: To detest.

a. They hated the false teaching. They hated the thought of their false of teaching being brought into the church.

b. God hates false teaching (stumbling block) bring brought into the church.

The church had heard all that the Lord, and approved of. But now things take a turn.

II. Jesus Exposes the Reality. VS 4

Revelation 2:4 NKJV

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

Nevertheless: The opposite direction. Elab

1. Somewhat against: To charge.

a. Thou hast left: Abandoned.

b. First: Place of importance.

c. Love: Love feast.

2. They were doing all kinds of good things. Elab But they had lost their love for the Lord. They were doing all the right things for all the wrong reasons.

a. It is possible to serve the Lord for a variety of motives. For the praise of men, for prestige or position, for the sake of reputation, or because it is simply the thing to do, or because of a since of duty.

b. If your service for the Lord is not born of a devoted passion for the Lord it is worthless.

III. Jesus Explains the Remedy. VS

Revelation 2:5 NKJV

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. Paul had visited Ephesus about 40 years before the book of Revelation was written and stayed there for about 3 years. During his time there revival broke out.

a. They were on fire for the Lord. Their hearts were in the right place. They praised and worshiped the Lord with all their hearts. Their love for the Lord was greater than their love for anything else.

b. Do you remember when you first got saved? You loved the Lord some much that He was on your mind constantly, and all you wanted to talk about was his love for you, and what he had done for you.

c. Is it still that way today, or have we become like the Church at Ephesus?

d. There was a time 40 years before when the Church at Ephesus was on fire for the Lord. But not anymore, the frame had flickered.

e. There are many churches and believers like that today. Outwardly good works, religious traditions, but inwardly they are empty.

f. Many Christians go through motions. Give to the needy and others good deeds. Attend every church service because that is what you are supposed to do. But where is there first love? Where is their love at all?

g. In the book Ephesians, Paul tells that they have lost not only for their love for Christ, but for their love for each other.

h. If we still had our first love, there wouldn’t be any backbiting or jealousy on our churches.

i. If we still had our first love, we would be lifting each other up instead of trying to knock each other down.

j. If we still had our first love we would be praising and worshiping God with a joyful noise.

k. God cares about what’s in our hearts. Do you love the Lord more than anything else? More than positions, more than selfish motives?

l. Without our first love our lives well be miserable. We need to return to our first love.

j. How do we return to our first love?

“repent” To think differently. In other works, don’t keep doing things the way you have been, change your ways. Get back to the way you use to be.

“or else”

“I will come quickly, and I will remove thy candlestick out of his place”

1. If you don’t repent I am going to come and remove your church. Did it happen? Yes it did, there is not church there, there is no city of Ephesus.

a. What will Christ do today if the church does not repent? The same thing. There may still be a building, there may still be people, and there may still be singing and even good works. There may come a time where there is not repentance and the Lord takes his hand off the church

b. We need to share our hearts, are we still in love with Jesus?

IV. Jesus Expounds the Reward. VS 7

Revelation 2:7 NKJV

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.” ’

“He who hath a ear let him hear” John would make this statement to each of the churches.

In this verse the Lord is giving us a warning. We had better hear his word and follow his commandments. “If you love me keep my commandments”

1. Who is he talking about when he says “him that over cometh”?

1 John 5:1–5 NKJV

1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1. He commends them in the beginning, then he hits them hard about their sin, than he closes by saying listen to what I have to say.

a. If you are a believer (elab) you can overcome the wickedness of the world.

b. Overcome the world that causes you to lose your first love, the love you had for Jesus

If you have lost that love, repent, regain it.

If you have never had, receive it today.