THE BOOK OF REVELATION SERMON 4 Jesus Christ and the Churches Part 1

THE BOOK OF REVELATION SERMON 4 JESUS CHRIST & THE CHURCHES- PART 1 REVELATION 2:1-7- EPHESUS I. EPHESUS, THE CARELESS CHURCH Each of the 7 messages begins with a personal description of Jesus Christ taken from Rev. 1 The Ephesian Church had some great leadership with Paul, Timothy, and the Apostle John The Lord Reminded them that He was in control of the ministry, placing the stars where He pleased. How easy it is for a church to forget that pastors & teachers are God's gifts (Eph. 4:11) who may be taken at any time Christ message to each church had 3 parts- A. THE APPROVAL- v.2-3,6 Ephesus was a serving church, busy doing the works of the Lord They were a sacrificing church, labor here means toil to the point of exhaustion. The Ephesian church paid a price to serve the Lord. Ephesus was a steadfast church. The word patience here carries the meaning of endurance under trial. They kept going when going was tough. The Ephesians were a separated church. They carefully examined the visiting ministers to see if they were genuine. Paul warned them that false teachers would come in. John had instructed them to try the spirits (1 John 4:1-6). Satan definitely has false ministers and the church must be alert to detect and reject them. (2 Cor. 11:1-4,12-15) Ephesians were not only separated from false doctrine but false deeds. (Rev. 2:6) The word Nicolatian means to conquer the people. These teachers wanted to lord over and exploit the church and rob people of their liberty in Christ (3 John 9-11). The Ephesians were a suffering people who patiently bore their burdens and toiled without fainting. They did it all "For Christ name's sake!" Christ not only expressed his approval of Ephesus but also: B. THE ACCUSATION- v. 5-7 This busy, separated, sacrificing church really suffered from "heart trouble"- they had left their first love! They had displayed works, labor and patience(Rev. 2:2) but these qualities were not motivated by a love for Christ. What we do for the Lord is important, but so is why! What is "first love"? It is the devotion for Christ that many times characterizes the new believer: fervent, personal, uninhibited, excited, and openly displayed. It is "the honeymoon love" of husband & wife (Jer. 2:1-2) The love should grow deeper and richer and never lose the excitement of the honeymoon love. When the marriage is taken for granted, the marriage is in trouble. Think on this: It is possible to serve, sacrifice, and suffer for my name's sake and yet not really love Jesus! The Ephesians were so busy maintain separation they were neglecting adoration! Labor is no substitute for love, neither is purity for passion. The Church MUST have both if it is to please Him! Paul in his letter to Ephesus not only mentioned "love" at least 20 times but also the believer's exalted position in Christ...in the heavenly places. It is only when we love Christ fervently that we can serve Him faithfully. Our love for Him must be pure (Eph. 6:24). Christ not only expressed an accusation but also: C. His Admonition- v.5-7 First love can be restored- Remember 3 instructions Christ gave- First, Remember what we lost and cultivate a desire to regain the communion we lost. Secondly, we must repent- change our minds- and confess our sins to the Lord. (1 John 1:9) Third, we must repeat the first works, which means restoring the original fellowship that was broken by sin and neglect. For believers, this means prayer, Bible reading & meditation, obedient service & worship. The church of Ephesus was in danger of losing it's light! The church that loses its love will lose its light no matter how doctrinally sound we may be. Rev. 2:7 makes it clear that individual believers within the church may be true to the Lord, no matter what others do. The Church of Ephesus was the "careless church," with careless believers who neglected their love for Christ. ARE WE GUILTY OF THE SAME NEGLECT?