Enduring Truth and Love

Revelation 2:1–7 NIV

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Introduction: Work Place evaluations: Who likes them? Naomi's Dance evaluations, Parent/Teacher Conferences - Evaluations serve to boost ones confidence, and they also serve as an opportunity to grow and learn. Signs of a miserable job. "I don't know how I am doing."

Evaluation Pattern - Description of Jesus connected to 1:9-20, What they are doing Well, What they are not doing well at, A Consequence for not following instruction, A Promise if they do. Encouragement to Listen.

So What is Ephesus doing well?

14 - Enduring in Truth.

Bore No More Page 70 Excercise.

Ephesians is the flagship Church - Paul set up a training school in Ephesus for 2 years to train leaders/church planters in the surrounding area - the other 6 churches.

Jesus reminds them, I think that they do not need this pressure, He is standing amongst all of the Churches.

Description of Ephesus

The Battle against Artemis

The Battle against the Roman Imperial Worship - Domitian Temple being constructed

The Battle against Docetism

The Battle against the Nicolaitans - Hate their Deeds not the people.

15 - Application Point: We are called to Endure in the Truth.

To do that we must anchor ourselves in the Truth - Vision for this year.

What are the Ephesians not doing well?

16 - Enduring in Love.

Heads up - Jesus gives these instructions because He loves the Church.

The Lexham English Bible Chapter 3

19 As many as I love, I reprove and discipline.

Marriage Counseling - Looking back to go forward. You seem to have lost love for one another, tell me what your love was like in the beginning.

The Love that has been lost is likely the Love for one another: their love in the beginning

Ephesians 1:15–16 LEB

Because of this I also, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention in my prayers,

Stories of Battling people who want to destroy the Church. Does one become hardened and unloving because of their lack of trust? They are less willing to sacrifice for others.

Quote John and Paul's definition of Love:

John 15:12–13 LEB

This is my commandment: that you love one another just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Philippians 2

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 LEB

Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous, it does not boast, it does not become conceited, it does not behave dishonorably, it is not selfish, it does not become angry, it does not keep a record of wrongs, it does not rejoice at unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

17 - Application Point: We are called to Endure in Love for one another.

This means we need to deal with the pain from all of our battles in the Truth. We must foster our relationship with Jesus and be immersed in His love for us.

18 - The Results of a Truth-Based, Unloving Church.

-Paul - If we have not love we are a clanging Symbol etc… 1 Corinthians 14.

Our lampstand is removed - This is what makes the Church unique is its love, and what the early church was known for. Without sacrificial love we are just another club.

John 13:35 LEB

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

Grace Quote: Those who focus on Truth and have no Grace are Just Mean, but those who focus on Grace and have no Truth are meaningless.

Churches that

NCD - churches that are strong on truth, but not on Love - what does that look like.

The church needs all three aspects of discipleship working. The head, the hands, and the heart. It appears that the Ephesians have focused solely on the head, and therefore their light is dimming because they are not fostering their heart for people, and their hands to serve others sacrificially.

But a Church that perseveres in both Truth and Love doesn’t lose their soul. The promise here is the same as John 14 - We abide in the vine, when we abide in Christ’s love. - The Tree of Life.

18 - Application Point: Join a Discipleship group to sacrificially love your brothers and sisters.

Conclusion:

Where is South Blendon doing? Are we enduring in Truth, are we enduring in Love? What other things will Jesus challenge us with in the coming weeks?

Bore No More Activity page 47 for Prayer time.