The Letter to Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

Introduction:

This portion of the book of Revelation contains 7 different letters to seven Churches.

· Each letter is to a literal Church

· For the most part each letter contains compliments and complaints: although there is an exception to each

· The letters are not just written to these particular Churches but to us as well: He who has ears to hear let him hear

People use a lot of different criteria to judge a Church as to whether it is good or not, the only one that can really judge a Church is the head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ.

· He sees beyond the surface to what is really going on (X-ray)

· Revelation 2:23 Jesus describes Himself as the one who searches the hearts and minds

As we think about our Church here in Warren Center we need to be concerned more about what Christ thinks and what Christ wants that what people think and what people want.

· Sometimes we tend to get it backwards!!

Letters are addressed to the Angels of the Churches: referring to the Pastor of each Church

I. A description of Jesus Christ v. 1

1. He who holds the seven stars v. 1

1:20 tells us that the stars are the angels of the Churches: Pastors

1) Points to Gods sovereignty: it is God who is over the Church and not the Pastors

To Pastors: it reminds us that we answer to God Himself

*It is He who called us into ministry

*It is He who supplies strength, wisdom, etc.

*It is He that we are ultimately responsible to

To Churches: It reminds us that Pastors are from the Lord

*Refer to Gods answer Jews prayer and calling Moses

*Spoke at ordination counsel: Charge to the Church

-Reminded them that the man they were calling was of God: challenged them to treat him as such

-A number of Pastor present for the service asked if I would share that message with their congregation

2) Points to Gods protection

Reminds Church that we are secure in Him

2. He walks in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks v. 1

1:20 tells us that the candlesticks are the Churches

What a reminder that Jesus walks among the ministry of this Church:

· Give wisdom for ministry

· Give boldness for ministry

· Encourage in ministry

· Warn and rebuke in ministry

· Omniscient eye: there is nothing that takes place that He is unaware of!!

II. A glowing commendation of the Church vv. 2-3

1. They were a busy Church v. 2

They were busy serving the Lord

I would imagine that their calendar was full

Being busy for the Lord is a good thing:

John 9:4 Jesus talking about doing the work that the Father sent Him to do: I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

Romans 13:11 tells us that we have been hitting hit the snooze button long enough, it is time to get up and get busy with the things that God has called us to do.

As Christians we are given gifts (abilities) that God expects us to use as we work for (serve) Him

2. They were a sacrificing Church v. 2

I know your labor:

* Has the idea of working to the point of exhaustion: sacrificial

* Likely that they were giving themselves: financially/physically

We are called to labor for the Lord

Matthew 9:37-38

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Sad today how many people want to see much done in the Church, but so few are willing to labor (sacrifice) to see it done.

Moses wanted to see Jews free from Egypt

Moses did not want to sacrifice to get it done

3. They were a steadfast Church v. 2

They kept going when things were tough

This is an important lesson for today as well

4. They were a separated Church v. 2

See as well in v. 6

Faithful to 2 John 1:7-11

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

5. They were a persevering Church v. 3

Willing to suffering for their faith

Imagine that Christian life would be difficult in Ephesus

Center for the pagan worship of Diana

*Temple of Diane there was one of 7 wonders of the world

- 425 feet long and 220 feet wide

-120 columns that each stood 60 feet high

*Housed the statue of Diana that was considered one of the most sacred images in the world

6. They were working for the right reason v. 3

For My Names sake

III. A major criticism of the Church vv. 4-5

1. Stated: 2:4 You have left your first love

It is possible to be doing the right things, but not be doing them out of love for the Lord Jesus Christ

Warren Wiersbe says that first love is: the devotion to Christ that so often characterized the new believer: fervent, personal, uninhibited, excited, and openly displayed. It is the honeymoon love of the husband and wife.

Scary: that it is possible to be working, sacrificing, separating, enduring, etc. and all the while forgetting our love for the Lord.

Christianity is about a relationship not religion

Otherwise it would not matter

2. Corrected v. 5

1) Remember from where you have fallen

Remember the time of fervent love

Remember the actions that took place then

Remember what took them away

2) Repent

Realize that it is sin

Many are not even willing to admit that they have lost it

3) do the first works

Spend time working on the relationship

3. Warnings for ignoring

I will remove your candlestick

This happened to the Ephesus Church

IV. A common Concern v. 7

Listen up!!

If I would ask you to describe your relationship to the Lord:

How would you describe it?

Many would use the same terms Jesus used to describe the Church

They would then conclude that all was well.

I would hope that we describe the relationship!!

How about our Church?

Known by what we do or who we love?