The Church in Ephesus

 

Revelation 1 

• John sees Jesus in all His glory—powerful, holy, victorious, and completely in control.

• Revelation 1:12–13 describes seven lampstands, which verse 20 tells us represent the seven churches. And Jesus is “among the lampstands.”

• Jesus is present with His church.

 

The Message to the Church in Ephesus

1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: 2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. 4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.

7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.”  Revelation 2:1-7 NLT

 

It is possible to be doctrinally sound, morally upright, and incredibly busy while no longer passionately loving Jesus.

 

JESUS COMMENDS

• Hard work

• Perseverance

• Discernment

• Rejecting false teachers

• Enduring hardship

 

JESUS CONFRONTS

• “You have abandoned your first love.”

• Activity can never replace intimacy.

 

A Church Can Be Busy but Spiritually Dry

• Ministry isn’t the same as loving Christ.

• Ministry is meeting the needs of others with Christ’s love.

• Martha and Mary are good examples to learn from.

 

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42 NLT

 

LOVE FOR JESUS MUST STAY FRESH

• Christianity is a relationship before it’s a responsibility.

• Passion fuels obedience.

• A church without love will die.

 

REVIVAL BEGINS WITH REPENTANCE

• Remember

• Repent

• Return

 

QUESTIONS I NEED TO ANSWER HONESTLY…

• Do I love serving Jesus more than I love Jesus?

• Have I replaced passion with routine?

• Do I love God and not love people?