Ephesus: The Loveless Church Series

## INTRODUCTION — THE CHRIST WHO HOLDS AND WALKS WITH HIS CHURCH

The last time we met, we began our study of the seven churches that are found in the first three chapters of Revelation. As we started, we listened before we evaluated.

Before Jesus says anything to His church, He reveals something about Himself.

We saw Jesus in Revelation chapter 1—not distant, not silent, not absent—but present. Walking among the lampstands. Holding the church securely in His hand.

We said last week that the church is not the light. The church is the lampstand. Jesus is the light.

And we learned that these letters were not written just to seven churches long ago. They were written for the whole church—then and now.

That is why the repeated call of this series matters so much:

The question is not, “What kind of church are we?”

The question is, “Are we listening to what Jesus is saying to His church?”

Today, Jesus begins speaking directly.

He starts with a church that looks strong from the outside. A church that works hard. A church that stands for truth. A church that does not tolerate error.

If there were a “model church” in the early Christian world, Ephesus would have been on the list.

And yet, this is the first church Jesus addresses.

Not because they failed dramatically. Not because they abandoned doctrine. But because something far more dangerous had happened quietly.

Before we get into scripture, I want to take a moment for us to learn more about the city of Ephesus and the church that met there. I will be sharing each week a video from a series by Lineage Journey that give us some historical background and modern day information about the churches we are studying. Each video walks us through the ancient town and then has a unique twist, sharing how the prophecy from each church’s letter might relate to the history of the church over the centuries down to today.

Video Ill.: Ephesus — The Loveless Church by Lineage Journey.

They were doing many things for Jesus— But they were no longer doing them out of love for Jesus.

If you have your Bible, turn with me to Revelation chapter 2, as we read exactly what Jesus said to the church at Ephesus.

1 “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. 2 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. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the || Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 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. (Revelation 2, NIV)

Let’s take a look at the different parts of this letter this morning, and see what Jesus is saying to us today.

## 1. A FAITHFUL CHURCH THAT WORKED HARD AND ENDURED MUCH

Just to refresh, Jesus said these words to the church.

2 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. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. (Revelation 2, NIV)

This was certainly a hard working church. They knew how to put in a hard day’s labor. What John describes as “hard work” is the kind of work that makes you sweat. It’s the kind of work that wears you out by the end of the day. Like you know you’ve actually done something.

Like push-mowing the entire yard — not riding, not coasting, but pushing until your arms and legs ache.

Like weeding the entire garden by hand — bent over for hours, dirt under your fingernails, back sore when you go to stand up.

Like building a house — not just drawing plans, but lifting lumber, driving nails, carrying weight day after day.

Like cleaning out a garage that has been neglected for years — moving piles, organizing and putting things back away where it now belongs.