INTRO: How’s your love life? Take a poll on how long honeymoons last (answer by a show of hands). -How many think a honeymoon lasts one year, 6 months, 3 months, 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day. Saying: Some say the honeymoon is the period of time when you say "I do". .& you better.
ex couple watching TV, a romantic scene came on the TV. Two actors were kissing passionately. Wife pokes husband in the ribs and says, "Honey, why don’t you kiss me like that?" and husband replied, "Honey, don’t you realize how much they’re paying him to do that?"
Truth: Marriage can become a loveless routine - the emotions, the passion can fade. You may do the right things or even say the right things but the heart has grown dim.
-Those who’ve been married awhile realize how easy this can happen (to lose your first love).
TS: Our Christian life can be just the same. You’ve had an experience with God (personal relationship with God). You’ve had that excitement. But over time your hearts have grown cold. You may say the right things or even do the right things, but you’ve lost your first love.
-We’re going to look at a church that has done just this - lost their first love.
TITLE.: How’s Your Love Life
TEXT: Rev. 2:1-7 (Read)
Explanation - Over the next several weeks we are going to be learning about different types of churches as well as different types of Christians (churches & Christians).
A.The formula that we should watch for: -Who is it addressed to
-Destination
-Description of Jesus Christ
-Word of commendation
-Word of challenge or counsel
B.Background - These 7 churches are in Asia minor. The one church (Ephesus) we might know today a modern-day Turkey.
1. John has revelation of Jesus Christ (read Rev. 1:17-19). While he is exiled on the island of Patmos about these 7 churches.
-I believe it’s also addressed to us today!
C. Text -to the angel, GK word angolos meaning messenger.
-There are times in scripture translated angel but many times it’s translated messenger.
1. OT - Jesus quotes OT concerning John the Baptist, "I will send my angolos (messenger) ahead of you referring to John the Baptist.
2. Jesus entering into the city of Jerusalem, as he approached the city. The scriptures said be sent angolos (messengers) on ahead (referring to the disciples).
Point: The word angolos a more accurate description is messenger and isn’t a pastor a messenger. (many commentaries say to the pastor of the church).
D. Understand church Ephesus - large commercial center, largest city in Asia minor, fourth largest city in the Roman empire, it had a population around 250,000 people.
1. Known - gateway to Asia, seaport city on the Agean Sea. It was very cosmopolitan city. Had a theater that would seat 25,000 people - mega city.
2. Religious center - temple of Dyana (KJV) was there. Considered one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. The temple was four times as large as the Parthanon in Greece.
-Dyana (KJV) pagan goddess of prostitutes or fertility - sexuality. An idol of Dyana (KJV) Artimus (NN) (a multi-bosom image of a woman).
3. Big industry - silver, silversmith make all these small idols for everyone (big business). Almost riot Acts 19 - Paul was preaching, people getting saved (stop buying idols - hurt business) so silversmiths started a riot.
a. Some have described this city as the Salem of Asia minor full of occultic practices. -Apostle Paul came about 55 AD planted a church - stayed three years to help it. -30 years later Jesus addressed this same church in Rev. Chap. 2.
II. Message
A. Comfort - v. 1 (Read) stars and lamp stands (what are they?)
Answer 1:20 (Read) stars angels (messengers/pastors)
Lamp stands are churches.
1. Where are they in God’s right hand.
-A place of protection, comfort, and honor. I feel a great peace recognizing I’m right in middle of God’s hand. John 10:28 - "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
2. Jesus walking among His golden lampstands - Jesus is walking among the pews inspecting each and everyone of us.
ex President Bush visiting the troops before the gulf war. The official line he was inspecting the troops. Images coming back to the American people of President and his wife wearing their fatigues walking around encouraging soldiers.
Point: Same today Jesus walking through the pews inspecting, encouraging the troops before the battle of the next week.
B. Commendation - verses 2-3 (Read)
1. I know your deeds - sobering thought, Lord knows what you’re doing and what you’re not doing.
a. Hardworking - The church was hardworking in doing the will of God (spreading gospel, discipling, impacting society).
-Done such a good job Ephesus considered 3rd center for Christianity behind Jerusalem and Antioch.
b. Perseverance - patience under trial, hanging tough and not giving up.
c. Separated people - They were morally sensitive. They didn’t get involved with the things of the world.
-Look at v. 6 "But you have this in your favor: you hate the practices of the Nocolaitans, which I also hate.
I. Nicolaitans - name after Nicolaus who was a deacon that was led astray. They believed their liberty in Christ gives them a license to do anything they want.
-Attitude: I’m saved I can do anything I want (morally, sexually). Where you abandon yourself to the pleasures of this world (loose living).
a. Dangerous because - this enemy (teaching) is coming from inside the church not from the outside. This teaching was an improved version of Christianity.
-Apostle John felt the Nicolaitans were worse than the pagans, for they were the enemy within the gates.
b. Doctrinely sound They knew their Bible, they test the truth (able to spot heresy of Nicolaitans).
-Heavy weights christianity took part in this church (Paul, Apollos, Timothy, John, Aquilla & Priscilla).
C. Criticism = v, 4 (Read)
1. Forsaken first love - we touched on this already. How many of us have fallen into this category. -We do things in Christian life not out of love but duty.
ex Reading word/church because that is what is required a sense of legalism (a bunch of do’s and don’ts).
2. Legalism - Trap is you measure your Christian life by a list of do’s and don’ts.
-Legalist is a person who has a haunted fear that someone somewhere is having a good time. -People are focused on the dirty dozen, or the nasty nine, or the filthy five.
Legalism is a very self-centered state, self righteousness - measuring everyone’s christianity by what I do or don’t do.
ex Bible study just academic exercise. Quiet time is an obligation rather than a devotion, go through motions (singing) without adoration to Christ.
3. Rut - being busy doing the affairs of God that you miss God.
ex Joseph and Mary lose Jesus in the church.
-If we’re not careful, we can lose Jesus in the church - we lose sight of Him.
I Cor. 13 Paul Wks of giving everything he has. What good would it be without love. Point: Jesus is more concerned about our devotion to Him rather than our service for Him. Ill. Word of Counsel - v. 5 (Read) The 3 R’s (Pastor you describe me).
A. Remember - Has there ever been a time in your life that you have loved Jesus more than you do now?
-If so you’ve fallen (remember time, campus meeting, church service, prayer meeting, or just walking with Lord) How does your love compare now?
ex Story of boy sat next to sweet girl in school. Boy grew up and fell into bad company. Became an expert pickpocket. Just after pickpocketing someone (pleased with himself) suddenly he saw the young innocent girl who sat by him in school. She did not see him steal. But suddenly he realized who he was. He leaned against a pole and said, "God, I hate myself." (his memory was offering him a way back).
B. Repent - admission that the fault is yours and the feelings of sorrow for it. Recognizing you have a problem like:
-prodigal son "I will arise and go to my father and say I have sinned."
1. Greatest command - Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. Then you would think greatest sin is not loving God.
-You need to see yourself in the condition you’re in and then change it with God’s help. C. Repeat - do the things you did at first. It’s never too late to do what is right.
ex Story woman
Husband became tyrant (to do list). She began hate list, love turned bitterness, resentment. He died, she didn’t miss him that much, but as time went on she remarried and he loved her. They had wonderful years together.
One day several years latter, she was cleaning and found a list from her husband that died and she realized she’s doing it for her 2nd husband. He never demanded it, she was doing it because she loved him (labor of love).
Remember the 3 R’s (remember, repent, and repeat)
CONCLUSION: v. 7 (Read) Jesus gives us a reward to the overcomers right to eat tree of life (heaven). -Saints, never let us lose our first love Christ.
