The Love of the Church

Revelation 1:9–11 KJV 1900

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Revelation 2:1–7 KJV 1900

1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

These seven churches are only part of the churches that were located in Asia at the time of these letters.

• They are in Chronological order oldest to the most recent

• They represent every Church that exist today in one way or another

Vs.1 tells us that our Lord holds the seven stars (Pastors) of each church in His right hand and He walks in the midst of the Church.

The letter to the Church is so fitting of our Lord:

Mention: Matt. 16:18 Upon this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18 KJV 1900

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Point: The Church age begins on the day of Pentecost with those 120 in the upper room

Mention: Ephesians 5:25 Tells us that He loved the church and gave Himself for it

Ephesians 5:25 KJV 1900

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Eph. 5:23 He is the Savior of the body

Ephesians 5:23 KJV 1900

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Also: Acts 20:28 he purchased the church with His own blood

Acts 20:28 KJV 1900

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Also: 1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us

1 John 4:19 KJV 1900

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

The Apostle Paul stayed in Ephesus with this church at one time for 3 years.

See: Acts 20:17-20

Acts 20:17–20 KJV 1900

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Listen to the Words of this letter:

Verse 2-3 They were known for works, labor, patience and stand against evil for Christ’s name sake.

“And hast not fainted”

See: Vs.6 Nicolaitans (This is those who lord over the people)

Vs.4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love

Point: Everything they were doing was out of duty and not motivated out of their love for Christ!

What we do for Christ is so important, but also why we do it!

Love: Agape A deep devotion to

See: John 21:15-17

John 21:15–17 KJV 1900

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Listen if we are going to be effective in all we do for Christ it is going to be because we savored our love for Him.

See: 1 Thessalonians 1:3 work of faith and labor of love

1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV 1900

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Labor is no substitute for love and purity is no substitute for passions.

They were so busy maintaining their separation that they neglected their adoration!

See: 2 Cor. 5:14 it is the love of Christ that constrained us…

2 Corinthians 5:14 KJV 1900

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

Because I love Him I have no problem serving, giving and living for Him!

How do we reestablish this love?

1. Remember

Vs.5a remember from whence thou art fallen

Remember that day when you fell in love with the Savior, when He saved your soul.

This is why it’s so important to share your testimony with people!

Point: Remember what He has done for you

2. Repent

There needs to a turnabout in our lives. Quit going the wrong direction and get back on course

Mention: Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of my salvation

Psalm 51:12 KJV 1900

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.

3. Repeat

Vs.5 Repent and do thy first works

“Or else I will come quickly and remove thy candlestick out of His place except thou repent”

Vs.7 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches…