Don't Let Your Love Grow Cold

Intro:

So we have been going through the book of Revelation and Jay broke down for us over the last few weeks the importance of the book ( The importance of Prophecy) , we’ve looked at how we view the book ( the Futurist View) - . We looked at the promise found in this book to him who reads , him who hears and him who keeps the words in this book

we looked at what the book of Revelation is.... The book of unveiling . Unveiling what or who? Jesus.

the book is all about Jesus and the revealing of Jesus in his glorified state.

And one of the things that we looked at was that this book was meant to bring Hope. Hope in the midst of difficulties , seeing how the church was going through persecution during the time John wrote this.

and so the main theme that we are looking at is “ HOPE FOR TROUBLED TIMES”

and if you remember we looked at the outline of the book of Revelation. And this is found in Revelation 1:19 , Jesus tells John to...

“ Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this”.

so when you look at the book, the entire book is broken up in these (3) areas .

Things which he has seen ( chp. 1)

Things which are( chp.2-3)

Things which will take place after this (chp. 4-22)

Things which you have seen ( chp.1)

in the last few weeks we have been looking at the things which John has seen.

and what he has seen is a vision of Jesus in his glorified state. And John writes down this vision of Jesus ( Rev. 1:13- 17)

Vision of the Son of Man

Jesus is found in the midst of the church

clothed in garments down to his feet and girded about the chest with a golden band

his head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow

His eyes like a flame of fire

His feet were like fine brass

His voice as the sound of many waters

In His right hand were the elders or leaders of the churches( 7 stars)

Out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword

His countenance was like the sun shinning in strength

and as John sees this he falls at the feet of Jesus as if dead. He was sure that he would die because of what he had seen.

This is John writing the things which he has seen

Transition

2. The Things which are ( chp. 2-3)

Now today we begin the new portion of the book of Revelation. John writes- The things which are (chp.2-3)

Here in this section of the book John will begin to write to the 7 churches found in Asian minor. These were actual churches during the time of John, so he is litterally writing to these specific churches that are present at the time he writes this.

And John will address each church based on their physical and spiritual condition .

The message to the 7 Churches

we will find the same format in the message

There is a revelation of Jesus to the church

There is a statement regarding the condition of the church

A verdict from Jesus regarding the condition of the church

A command from Jesus to the church

A general exhortation

A promise of reward

This is found written to each on of the 7 churches that we will look at.

The significance of the 7 Churches

There is an important significance to these 7 churches and why Jesus would want John to write to them and why it is important for us to look at them.

When we look at these 7 churches there are (4) different ways that we look at the message to each churches and how we apply the message

(4) Ways we apply the message to the 7 Churches

The Seven Churches in John’s Day

John is writing specifically to a church of his day, he is addressing the specific condition of this church and the exhortations are based for these specific churches , leaders

2. The 7 Basic Divisions of Church History

There are many scholars who have studied the church and have stated that the church has gone through 7 different historical periods that corrolate with the message to each church.

3. The 7 Types of Churches that Exist Today

As we look around even in our day , there are many different churches with different characteristics and so we can find each one of the characters of these ancient churches alive in our day in one church or another.

4. The 7 characteristics that Can Exist in a Person

This is the practical application to each one of us. Each one of us can fall into one of these churches at some point taking on the same characteristics of these churches.

So we will look at these characteristics and apply the message looking at these four areas of application.

How it applies...

To church in John’s day

To the specific church history period

To the church of today

To me personally

Transition

Church of Ephesus (2: 1-7 )

History of Ephesus

When we look at the church of Ephesus and apply it with the divisions of church history, it falls in the first division of church history. From AD 30-100. This is from the first generation of believers when the church was started to the second generation here when John is writing.

Intro to the Church of Ephesus

The City of Ephesus was an important City during the early church. It was an wealthy City due to the trade route, primarily through the harbor that the City was built next to. Pic 1

You can see through this picture a rendering of the ancient City. You can see the harbor that would be used that lead to the Aegean Sea.

Pic 2- you can see in the picture that through the sea you could access a big area , so the harbor was what made Ephesus an important City

Ephesus was also know for having (1) of the ancient seven wonders of the world in it’s city, the temple of Diana, a temple to a furtility Goddess. The temple was the biggest and most beautiful temple in the area Pic.3

The City also had a large theater that was used for plays, for gladiator games, for political and philisoshopical discussions PIC 4- This is a picture of what the theater looks like today.

PIC 1

These things are important to know and remember as we look at how the church started.

Transition

The Start of the Church of Ephesus

Now for the church of Ephesus we have the actual history document in the book of Acts for us to be able to look at .

The church of Ephesus was started on Paul the Apostles second missionary journey. ( Acts 18-20)

Paul was traveling through Corinth in Acts 18 and we see that trouble came about because of the preaching of the gospel. Paul then travels from Corinth to Syria with a husband and wife named Priscilla and Aquila and they came to Ephesus .

They would come to Ephesus and Paul would leave Priscilla and Aquila while he left to Jerusalem for the feasts. PIC 2

The purple is Paul’s Second missionary journey , you can see how they left from Corinth and came to Ephesus and then Paul went to Jerusalem.

Now Paul would return on his 3rd missionary journey , it is the red arrows on the picture. Paul came back to Ephesus and stayed there for 3 years or so ministering, teaching and doing great works.

What was happening in The Early Church

As you look through Acts 19 you can begin to see what God was doing in this church.

Paul taught in the school of Tyrannus for 2 years ( Acts 19:9-10)

as a result of Paul’s teachings we are told in (Acts 19:10) that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jew and Greek

That is amazing, the gospel message has made its way throughout the area so that everyone heard the message. And as with anything , there were some that were converted and some that rejected the message.

2. God worked miracles though Paul ( Acts 19:11-17)

we are told that God worked unusual miracles through Paul, Paul was working as a tent maker there in Ephesus and people would come and take his handkerchiefs or aprons full of sweat and lay it on sick people and they would get healed. Both crazy and gross really.

3. Many people were transformed by the Gospel message ( Acts 19:18-20)

Acts 19:18–20 NKJV

And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

you see major transformation happening here. People who practice magic , who worshipped false gods and idols had been transformed , to the point that they are burning their old lifestyle, the magic books. They are getting rid of their old life to follow Jesus.

This new life and the rejecting of the old life would cause problems.

4. Riots in Ephesus ( Acts 19:21-41)

in Acts 19:21-41 , we see a man by the name of Demetrius , a silversmith who made a living making silver replica idols of the Goddess Diana was upset and stirred up an uproar and a riot.

He was mad because business had gone down and was worried about his future in making idols because ever since Paul was in Ephesus preaching the gospel , people had turned from buying these idols to worship Jesus.

We see this huge riot of people come into the theater all screaming “ Great is Diana of the Ephesians” , it is believed that the theater that we looked at is the theater were this uproar happened.

What was The Character of the Church of Ephesus

They were faithful Eph.1:1

They were a church of Faith ( Eph. 1:15)

They were a church of Love (Eph. 1:15)

Ephesians 1:15 NKJV

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

the early church of Ephesus was a church that had faith, and we can see that in the transformation that was taking place, the conversions.

They were also a church that had love for one another.

This love for one another was a direct result of the love they had for God

And it is interesting that this was the character of this church some 30 years earlier from the time that John wrote to them in Revelation 2. We will see how things began to change in a span of 30 years.

And its neat because Paul’s last words to the church in Ephesus was almost an exhortation and a warning to them, knowing that they were a people of love for God and for others and of the importance of that, for things would soon change.

Ephesians 6:24 NKJV

Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

God’s grace be upon those who love God with a genuine heart is what Paul’s last words.

Transition

Now like i said some 30 years have passed since Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus , now let us look to John’s message to the Church

Message to the Church in Ephesus ( Revelation 2:1-7)

The revelation of Jesus to the Church ( Rev. 2:1)

Here we begin to see John’s message. He is writing it says to the “ Angel” of the church of Ephesus, in other words the leader or pastor of the church

in Rev. 1: 20 tells us that these angels , the seven stars are the church leaders or pastors.

And Jesus is described here as the one who is giving the message to the leader, and he is described as the one who....

Holds the Seven Stars in His right hand

This is awesome here, because it shows us the Deity of Jesus, the fact that he is God, with the same authority and same power, He holds the seven stars , or he holds the leaders in His right hand.

This would bring comfort and hope to the leader who is reading this letter, that Jesus is holding them together, in the midst of trials, of difficulties , in the midst of persecution , it was Jesus who was holding them

now the Ephesian church had a history of some awesome pastors. Paul the apostle was there for 3 years ministering , we see later that Timothy would be the pastor there for some time, and historians tell us that even John who is writing this letter was once a pastor of this church for some time.

2. Jesus walks in the midst of the church

It also tells us that Jesus walks in the midst of the seven lampstands, which we saw last week, are the seven churches, so in other words Jesus is walking and is present in the midst of the church

once again, you put yourself in the shoes of a church under the Roman government who is persecuting the church , who could be put to death for not worshipping the Roman Caesars or for the name of Jesus. It could feel like you are all alone, and to hear that you are not alone , but that Jesus is with you , among you, present with you in your very situation, would be a great sense of comfort.

A Statement concerning the current condition of the Church (V.2-3)

Jesus now gives a statement of the condition of the church. And he starts by saying “ I know your works” , keeping in mind that Jesus has just told them that He is walking in their midst, he begins to give a description of what He Himself has observed.

He begins by giving them the positive things that He has observed

Positive Things of the Church

They were a Working Church

I see Your works, your labor and patience

Jesus was commending the early church for its faithful works of Christian Service .

They were a church that was continuing to do good things in the name of Jesus, they were serving people and the community. If they were a church today , they would be filled with all kinds of events throughout the week, just we were before COVID.

They were a church that was active in service in the name of Jesus.

They were a separate church

verse 2 tells us that the could not tolerate or could not bear those who are evil,

It is interesting because the word “ church “ is “Ecclesia” in the greek, which means “ called - out- ones”. In other words those who have been called out of the world into a personal relationship with Jesus . There is a separation that should be evident in the life of every believer. A separation from past behavior, past beliefs, past habbits, past character , past friends at times etc...

That is what the church and those in the church, like you and me should be - separate. And the church of Ephesus understood this and they made it a point to separate themselves from those who did evil

They were a pure church

We see that they tested those that came into the church and claimed to be apostles but were not. They were not allowing just anyone to come into their midst and have authority.

They were an enduring Church

this church persevered and endured through hardships for the name of Jesus and had not grown weary.

another insight into the difficulties that the early church went through. They were dealing with hardships and difficulties and the temptation could come to walk away from the faith, yet this church was not , they were consistent in the preaching of the gospel, in the service to Jesus

Transition

so from the on set, this looks like this church has everything going on for it. The church is being consistent in the face of persecutions and hardships, the church is preaching the gospel, it is staying away from evil, they are testing false teachers, they have all kinds of events happening.

by all means this sounds like many churches today. Churches doing the right things.

Yet Jesus who is in the midst of the church who sees all things both external and internal has something to say about this.

Jesus’ Verdict of the condition of the church (v.4)

Jesus says look i have seen all of the good things that you have done externally , yet there is one thing that i see that is a problem, you have left your first love. Jesus here gives us insight that he is aware of both what we do on the outside and on what is going on in our heart

And it is interesting that 30 years earlier what Paul said about this church was that they had love. And now 30 years later we see that after examination by Jesus, the one thing that they were known for was the very thing that they lacked.

A love for God.

How does this happen?

We are told that they “LEFT” their first love. That word is talking about abandoning , to leave behind, a willful decision to walk away from something.

see you and I can understand the difference between “leaving something “ and “losing something” , when you lose something , you don’t lose it on purpose, and you don’t know where you really lost it. It just happens by accident

now when you “leave” something the opposite is true. There is a willful descision that is made to walk away from something. And you know exactly what you are leaving and where it is and it doesn’t happen by accident but on purpose.

What the charge against this church is that they have made descisions in their lives intentionally to walk away from God as the priority in their lives. Not doing works for God , but of maintaining a love and passion with God personally

Transition

see this church had been able to continue to do the things that God had called them to in their service , in staying away from evil etc, they had all of the outward looks of a healthy church… But the most important part was they were supposed to keep the fire burning in their hearts for God. and this is what they failed to do.

goes to show you and I that we can be deceived by our outward appearance. We can fool ourselves in thinking that I am good with God because i come to church, because i serve at church, because i am involved in church. As we have seen, a person can function having all of the outward appearance of a healthy christian and still have a heart that is not right with God.

and the danger is , to look at everything that I am doing and to be convinced by that , that i am ok.

How does the fire go out in my heart?

How do i come to the place where i walk away from my love for God, how do i lose the fire in my heart?

Something or Someone else has captured my attention and affection

you and I will normally lose our attention span on something when something else takes that attention. You and I will get tired of something and desire something else when we get focused on another thing

When you and I begin to loose our affection for God, it is because something else has begun to take the place of God in my heart. Many times its relationships, sin, problems, situations etc.

whatever has the greatest influence on my life is that which has my affection

2.Fear

Fear can cause people to walk away from a situation. You think about the early church who was going through hardships, they had real fears to deal with , of possibly dying for their faith, and so there could be a real danger of walking away from the faith because of fear.

for you and i today we can be moved away form walking with God because of Fear, fear of what people might say about us, fear of being identified as a christian, fear of being labelled.

3. Neglect

Neglect is the biggest problem i think we deal with. Failing to maintain a real love and passion for God.

The best way to describe it is if i were to give each of you a small container that had a fire lit in it. And i was to tell each of you to keep that fire lit all week and to bring me the container with fire next week.

your job would be to keep the fire burning all week. you would have to add wood, or paper to keep the fire burning , you would have to keep things away from it that would make the fire go out.

the biggest challenge for you would be to continue to keep the fire burning by tending to the fire daily. See you will have homework to do, you will have to go to school, you will have sports, and you may begin to forget to put more paper on the fire. you may forget to add wood.

you may forget that you left the container outside and it started to rain.

the biggest problem is the reality that we get caught up doing other things in our life and forget to do the daily things of keeping the fire lit.

if you had a container , you could see the lit dimming and would be reminded of added fuel to it to keep it going. But the problem spiritually is that we cannot pyhiscally see the fire in our hearts, and we can get deceived into thinking that we are still burning because we are doing things for God.

this is exactly what had happened to the church of Ephesus. They were so caught up in what they were doing for God that they forgot to keep the fire burning in their hearts for God and they could not see that their light had gone dim.

A Command From Jesus (v.5)

Jesus now gives the church a command, or what are they supposed to do since they have been found lacking in the area of their love for God. And this is the same encouragement for you and me today. Maybe we feel like we are not in the same place spiritually that we once were, Maybe we are not as passionate about God like we were before.

maybe we have walked away from God and we know that we need to come back to him. Here is what Jesus would say to the church and what he would say to you and I

Remember from where you have fallen

Jesus would call the Ephesians and you and me to remember where we fell. We were all at one place where we were in a good place with God. If we think about it we can all remember a time or place where we were right on with god. either at a retreat or a specific season.

The first thing that we are to do is to remember where we were when things were going good. Because from that point we can begin to see the decisions and choices that we began to make to lead us to the place of having a dim light in our hearts.

2.Repent

The next thing we are to do is to repent. And that word repent is to change our direction. So if at one point we were in a good place with God, we obviously made a choice to go on a path that led us to where we are now

And what you and I are to do is to change directions. Whatever direction you have been on , God is saying it is time to change directions and to come back to me.

in Luke 15 we see the story of the podigal son, who remembered what life was like when he was at his fathers house. But he didn’t just stop to think about how good it was, he turn his direction and began to make his way back to the father.

maybe today God is calling some of you to turn around and to come back home into the arms of the father. He is waiting for you.

3. Re-Do

Jesus would tell us to go back and do the things that we were once doing when we were right on , when our fire was burning bright

Whenever you and I are in a good place with God it is because you and I are doing the maintaining of the fire.

we are adding fuel to our fire. we are in the word of God, we are in Prayer, we are in fellowship, we are at church servicing. And at some point we stopped to maintain this, what Jesus is saying, is go back to what you were doing spiritually that had that fire burning in your heart.

get back into the word, get back into prayer, get back into accountability etc...

Anointing at bethany Mark 12

Warning (v.5)

there is a warning at the end of this verse. A warning that if they did not get back to where they needed to be with God in their hearts, God would remove them frm their place of importance in the city.

you can go to the city of Ephesus and see nothing but ruins today. The city and the church does not exist there today. fulfillment of what Jesus said , he removed them from importance

Failing to maintain the fire in our hearts will lead to a life lived at a distance from God, which leads to compromise, which will lead to a ruined life which will have no influence on the world around it.

Praise again V. 6)

Now John writes an additional positive thing. That they hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans just like Jesus did. These were a group that attempted to have authority over people and to lord over people. it is obvious that what they were doing, Jesus was not ok with and the Ephesians did not put up with it either.

General Exhortation(v7a)

“He who has ears” Jesus exhorts all who are willing to listen , to heed the instructions. This gives us insight that everyone has the option to hear the words of God and to listen to those words. Just like now today, we have looked at a lot of stuff , there will be those who heard me and the word of God, there will be those who will chose not to obey what was said, and hopefully there are some of you who listened and who took it to heart.

Promise given (v. 7b)

To him who overcomes a lack of love. to him who gets himself back to having the fire burning bright for God in his heart, to him the promise of reward is to eat from the tree of life , speaking of eternal life in heaven with God.