Ephesus: Labor Without Love

Ephesus: Labor without Love

Revelation 2: 1-7

Today I want to begin a series in which we will examine the letters to seven individual churches that Jesus gave to John in the Revelation. As we move through these letters in the coming weeks, bear in mind, these were written to literal, active churches who were gathering for worship in John’s day. One other bit of information that will be helpful for each is an understanding of the seven stars and seven candlesticks. Rev.1:20 – The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels (literally messengers) of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The first church we will consider is the church at Ephesus. It was likely mentioned first due to its prominence within Asia Minor. The residence for the Roman proconsul was in Ephesus, as well as the Temple to Artemis, which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It is believed that Ephesus had a population of over 250,000 residents. It was a seaport city, boasting great diversity in commerce, religion, and culture. Emperor worship was also prevalent in Ephesus. "A temple to Emperor Domitian (likely the emperor when Revelation was written) was constructed in AD 89/90, featuring a giant statue of an emperor (either Domitian or Titus) that stood over twenty-five feet tall. The Christians of Ephesus faced enormous social and financial pressure to participate in the worship of the emperor. The city was also a center for occult and magical practices…The worship of at least fourteen other deities has been documented in the city. Ephesus was certainly a center of paganism in the first-century world. This explains why Jesus commends the believers in Ephesus for standing strong for the truth of the faith and resisting the false teachers. In addition, Ephesus had a large Jewish population, which may have led to racial and religious tensions even within the church. This could have played a role in Jesus’s strong exhortation to return to love as a priority." (i)

Speaking to Ephesus, Jesus commended the church for contending for the faith, but challenged them to do so out of love. As we discuss the admonitions to the church, I want to consider: Ephesus – Labor without Love.

I. The Witness of the Church (1-3) – Jesus begins with words of encouragement for them due to their witness among the world. Even though they were opposed, they carried on for the Lord. He recognized that they were:

A. A Submissive Church (2a) – I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil. Jesus spoke of their: 1) Works – that which they had accomplished for the glory of God. He had seen their works. 2) Labor – literally toiling to the point of exhaustion. Their labor was fervent for the Lord. They served at every opportunity. This isn’t the twice a year or Sunday morning only crowd. 3) Patience – they were undeterred by the opposition. Their focus was on serving the Lord whatever the cost.

We need to be a submissive church – one that is diligent and fervent in the Lord’s work, even in the face of adversity. Our service must be more than once a week.

B. A Separated Church (2b, 6) – and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: [6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. The church could not bear them which were evil. They had tried the doctrine of the false teachers and rejected them. They lived among a sinful society, but refused to be tainted by their filth. Thank God for churches who refuse to conform to the ways of the world!

They also hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, v.6. These are thought to be a sect that taught man’s actions didn’t affect his spiritual condition, a “do as you please” doctrine. The name literally means “victorious over the people.” It is thought they developed a “priestly order” or hierarchy among the church to control the people. The church at Ephesus wasn’t deceived by their false doctrine and remained true to God.

The Nicolaitanes had a powerful influence. Their deeds at Ephesus, v.6, became doctrine in Pergamos, v.15, So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. It is important that we remain separated from the world. What we ignore today will be accepted tomorrow. We must stand for the sake of our Lord and our children. Everything we do must be founded on the Word of God. A separated church won’t be a popular church, but it will be a powerful church!