Our First Mail
“Back to the Main Thing”
Revelation 2:1-7; 3:14-22
THE MAIN PROBLEM
1. What do you think is the main problem in the Church in Ephesus?
Revelation 2:4
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
a. Does this refer to their love for ONE ANOTHER?
b. Does this refer to their love for the LORD JESUS CHRIST?
c. Does this refer to their love for the LOST?
2. Let’s look at some “blues clues” in the letter:
a. The description of the SPEAKER
Revelation 2:1
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…
b. The description of the CHURCH
Revelation 2:2-3
2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, 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 2:6
6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
c. The description of the WARNING
Revelation 2:5
5 Remember the height from which 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.
d. The description of the PROMISE
Revelation 2:7
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
3. What do you think is the main problem in the Church in Laodicea?
Revelation 3:14-16
14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm -- neither hot nor cold -- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Does this refer to their SPIRITUAL FERVOR (or lack of it)?
4. Again, let’s look at some “blues clues” in the letter:
a. The description of the SPEAKER
Revelation 3:14
14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
b. The description of the CHURCH
Revelation 3:17-18
17 You say, ’I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
c. The description of the ENCOURAGEMENT
Revelation 3:19-20
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
d. The description of the PROMISE
Revelation 3:21-22
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
BACK TO THE MAIN THING
1. The situation is THE SAME in both the church in Ephesus and in the church in Laodicea.
a. They are both affirmed in terms of their DEEDS.
Revelation 2:2a
2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.
Revelation 3:15a
15 I know your deeds…
b. They are both warned in terms of possible EXTINCTION.
Revelation 2:5
5 Remember the height from which 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.
Revelation 3:16
16 So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
2. The solution is THE SAME in both the church in Ephesus and in the church in Laodicea.
a. REPENT – Revelation 2:5 “Remember the height from which 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.”
b. REPENT – Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.”
3. So the problem is THE SAME in both churches!
“They have missed out on the main thing, which is to bear WITNESS to JESUS CHRIST in their WORLD.”
a. This is proven by the context of the WHOLE BOOK
Revelation 1:4-6
4 John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
b. This is proven by the context of the WRITER
Revelation 1:9
9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
4. The same problem can happen to us today with DIRE CONSEQUENCES!
“If we forget to make the main thing the main thing, our churches will become NOTHING!”
In other words, we will lose our influence and relevance in the world. And it will not be because we have failed. It will be because we have been judged by the Lord Himself! And that would be the greatest tragedy of all.
BREAKTHROUGH STATEMENT NO. 1
“MAKE THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING.”
HOW TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING
1. The idea of bearing witness to Jesus Christ in the world goes beyond the common practice of “witnessing” (e.g. sharing the Four Laws).
The symbols describing the new world spell out the eternal significance and consequences of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and of the present choices and behavior of the readers. Part of the main point is to motivate the readers not to compromise with the world but align their thoughts and behavior with the God-centered standards of the new creation. They are to see their own situation in this world in the light of the eternal perspective of the new world, which is now their true home.
(G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation, NIGTC, 175)
2. We, together with the churches that we represent and/or lead, must see our own situation in this world in the light of the eternal perspective of the new world, which is now our true home.
3. What we can do practically:
a. Let us remind ourselves and our churches regarding our true status as the “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” called to bear witness to Christ in this world.
b. Let us repent of our MISGUIDED priorities that tend to deflect us from our true calling.
c. Let us refocus ourselves by being willing to SUFFER for the truth of our confession regardless of the cost.
d. Let us recover our true INTIMACY with Christ by being one with His heart and purpose for the world.
MAKE THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING!
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What new insight have you gained from our study today?
2. How has this affected you in terms of your life and ministry right now?
3. What changes are you planning to implement so that you can honestly say that you are not just a “hearer” but also a “doer” of God’s word?
