The Seven Churches - Ephesus Series

We are excited to be here as we are starting a new sermon series this morning. During, this series we will be looking at the seven churches found in the book of Revelations. These churches had several things in common, in particular they were all living in a pagan world and they were all under persecution at the time.

Before we get to far ahead, I would like to share some background information on this much important book. The author of Revelations is none other than Apostle John. John wrote the book of Revelation while he was on the island of Patmos. Some traditions say that the Romans dropped John in a vat of boiling oil, but the apostle did not die. They then banished the apostle to the barren rock of Patmos. The book of Revelation provides us a glimpse into the events of the tribulation. This is the time that God pours out His judgment on the earth. This event happens after the rapture of the church. These letters to the churches that the apostle John was overseeing were letters of encouragement and warnings to them to repent. The advice that is given in these letters are a prophetic forewarning to us today. They warn us of the snares that can lure us away from the Lord in our lives.

The first church that we are looking at today is Ephesus. This church today, would be located in what is now western turkey. I have a picture to give you an idea where Ephesus is located in comparison to all the others churches that we will be talking about in the coming weeks.

As you can see, Ephesus is on the coast of the Aegeon Sea. It was a trading town which had provided an immense amount of prestige and wealth. The soil was fertile and the climate was ideal . They had a theater that could seat up to 24,000 people. The apostle Paul visited Ephesus on his first missionary journey but the church was not established until his third missionary journey when he spent two years preaching there. According to early history, the Apostle John spent time ministering in Ephesus at his old age. If you have your bibles with you, please turn with me to Revelation chapter 2 starting verse in 1:

2 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

This church in Ephesus was actually very influential to all the other churches that we are looking at in the coming weeks. In fact, there are some scholars and historians that believe that Ephesus, was the one responsible for planting the other churches in the area. This was no small group of churches, in fact it is estimated that there were 25,000-30,000 members. While looking at these churches, we would benefit tremendously to see if we find ourselves in one of these churches.

I. Good things

A. Not all bad

a. While there certainly were some challenges at the church, not all things were bad. There were some good things that were happening.

b. In fact, lets revisit our text and look at Revelation 2:2-3 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

c. And then in verse 6 NKJV 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

d. Here we see the Lord praising them for their works, their efforts that they made to further the kingdom of God. This work was no doubt physical work in caring for the needs of the people, but was also through their prayers as well.