To the Angel of the Church in Ephesus write: Beware Diligence without Devotion
Rev. 2:1-7
September 27, 2009
INTRODUCTION
* Every City becomes known for something. Good or bad we forever associate those characteristic with that city.
* Every Church becomes known for something. Good or bad we associate those characteristic with that Church and its people.
* Woven into the threads of prophecy in the book of revelation is a tale of churches in eight cities. When we look at them we discover the characteristics, good and bad, by which they became identified.
* Their tales of notoriety becomes a life lesson for every Follower of Jesus.
I. The Setting
A. Pamtos
Rev 1:9-12
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. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me.
„X Patmos (or Patnos) is where John was exiled between 95 and 97 A.D. and was inspired to write the Book of Revelation.
„X Patmos, located off the coast of Then Asia Minor (Turkey), is a mountainous island with rocky soil and an abundance of small coves.
B. The Resurrected Christ
Rev 1:12-19
And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
„X Christ -- Human like, God like
„X Truth Claim is significant. I am First and Last (eternal). The incarnate, the one who died; the one who was forever raised. The one who holds all the keys.
C. Angels of the Seven Churches
It is evident from the contexts of the various Biblical passages in which the word "angel" appears, that the word does not always represent the same idea. In such passages as Dan 12:1 and Acts 12:15 it would seem that the angel was generally regarded as a superhuman being whose duty it was to guard a nation or an individual.
However, in Mal 2:7 and 3:1 (Hebrew) the word is clearly used to represent men. In the New Testament also, there are passages, such as Jas 2:25 (Greek), in which the word seems to be applied to men.
James 2:25-26
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
The seven angels of the seven churches may refer to the seven bishops who presided over the seven churches of Asia. Or the angels may be regarded as the personifications of the churches.
II. The Message:
A. For Ephesus
1. Prominence
A large and important city on the west coast of Asia Minor where the apostle Paul founded a church.
The first factor was economics. Ephesus was the most favorable seaport in the province of Asia and the most important trade center west of Tarsus.
Another factor was size. Although Pergamum was the capital of the province of Asia in Roman times, Ephesus was the largest city in the province, having a population of perhaps 300,000 people.
A third factor was culture. Ephesus contained a theater that seated an estimated 25,000 people.
The fourth, and perhaps most significant, reason for the prominence of Ephesus was religion. The Temple of Artemis (or Diana) at Ephesus ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
2. Christianity at Ephesus
Began perhaps as a result of the efforts of Priscilla and Aquila.
Acts 18:18-21
18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God’s will." Then he set sail from Ephesus.
Paul came to Ephesus in about A.D. 52, establishing a resident ministry for the better part of three years (Acts 20:31). During his Ephesian ministry, Paul wrote 1 Corinthians (1 Cor 16:8).
So influential, in fact, was Paul’s ministry at Ephesus that the silversmith’s league, which fashioned souvenirs of the temple, feared that the preaching of the gospel would undermine the great temple of Artemis (Acts 19:27). As a result, one of the silversmiths, a man named Demetrius, stirred up a riot against Paul.
After Paul departed from Ephesus, Timothy remained to combat false teaching (1 Tim 1:3; 2 Tim 4:3; Acts 20:29).
B. Beware Diligence without Devotion
Rev. 2:1-7
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 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. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices 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 the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
1. Diligence is noteworthy
Ill: Report Card comment sections;
„X Is a good citizen
„X Is learning to share and listen.
„X Is becoming more dependable during work periods.
„X Is developing a better attitude toward English.
„X Is showing interest and enthusiasm for the things we do.
„X Is learning to occupy his time constructively.
„X Wants responsibilities and follows through.
„X Can be very helpful and dependable in the classroom.
„X Always uses her time wisely.
Look at the comments Jesus makes on the Ephesian church’s report card.
a. Concerning the Call
„X Deeds -- erga (energy) the effort you extend
„X Hard work -- the kapon (cut) of your labor, cost
„X Perseverance -- cheerful endurance and constancy
b. Concerning the Truth
„X Intolerant of the wicked (depraved, injurious)
„X Test the truth claims of others (test, scrutinize), try.
NICOLAITANS
Their doctrine was similar to that of Balaam, "who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication" (Rev 2:14-15). Their practices were strongly condemned by John, who praised the church in Ephesus for "hating their works" (Rev 2:6), and blamed the church in Pergamum for accepting in some measure their teaching (Rev 2:15). (from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft)
c. Concerning Hardship
„X Born hardship -- carried it. Taken it up (choice implied)
„X Grown weary -- Not fainted
2. Devotion is lacking
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
„X Forsaken it,
„X Lay it aside,
„X Ignored it,
„X Given it up,
3. Discipline is Curative
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.
a. Remember
„X What it was, what it should be
b. Repent
„X Make a definite decision to see it changed
c. Redo
„X Do again or do for the first time the things that will demonstrate your love.
Ill: Love Languages -- learning to express your love to your spouse is essential to good relationship.
„X Words of affirmation
„X Acts of service
„X Physical touch
„X Quality times
„X Receiving gifts
Appl: Learning to express your love to your spouse is essential to good relationship. Have you fallen into the trap of the Ephesians Church? Is their a good measure of diligence in your life and a lack of devotion? The way of Jesus is an intimate love relationship. Is your love for him being expressed on a regular basis? How does the Forgiver know you love him?
CHALLENGE:
When you examine your life, do you need to heed the words of Jesus?
To my followers in Norwalk Ohio write:
Beware Diligence without Devotion
