Prelude
As we continue our series of messages on “End Time Prophecy” we enter into the second chapter of Revelation which starts out with a letter to the seven churches in Asia Minor.
Consider this that these letters can be viewed three different ways.
1. They can be viewed Prophetically – These churches appear to represent different stages of the church over the last 2,000 years.
2. They can be viewed Practically – These letters were sent to literal, real congregations that were actually functioning at the close of the First Century.
While they were written to real churches existing in that day, they still speak to every church in existence today.
God has a word for us in these verses!
3. They can be viewed Personally – These letters speak to congregations, but we should also be mindful that the Lord has a word for the individual in these letters as well.
The Lord Jesus Christ has something to say to you and to me about our relationship with Him.
My desire is that we take the practical application of these letters and seek to apply them to us.
Consider these words spoken by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:11 Jesus Christ declares that he is "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to … now apply it to yourself.
Now follow along with me as we take a look at our passage for this evening in Revelation 2:1-7.
Scripture
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. (candlesticks);
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Prayer
Introduction
It is easy to see that the city of Ephesus was a wicked, degenerate, vile place to live. A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus said, “No one could live in Ephesus without weeping over the immorality which he must see on every side.”
COMMIT ABOUT TODAY:
Our cities are not safe to live in today. Immorality is running wild in America.
It was once said of our county that the number one cash crop was marijuana, not it is meth.
In the End Times people will seek darkness because their deeds are evil. I used to think that verse meant that people did things in the dark, but really what it is saying is they seek the prince of darkness. In other words they do the work of Satan.
It was to this vile city that God sent the Apostle Paul, Acts 18:19-21; 19; 20:17-38. Paul spent two years preaching there and wrote the books of first and second Corinthians.
Timothy was the first bishop of this church, 1 Timothy 1:3. Aquilla, Priscilla and Apollos all labored in the Ephesian church, Acts 18. The Apostle John also spent the last years of his life in Ephesus.
It was here that he wrote the Gospel of John and his three epistles. According to tradition, Mary the mother of Jesus is buried in Ephesus.
This church was privileged to hear and know the best of the best in those early days.
This was an active church, serving in a wicked hour. But, God used them and many souls were saved.
By the way, the same methods used in Ephesus will still work today, Acts 20:17-21.
Thirty years have passed and the Lord comes to this church to speak to them about where they are and where He wants them to be.
He comes to them with a message of comfort. They are reminded in Revelation 2:1 that He has them safely in His hand.
The word “holdeth” speaks of “being in absolute control”.
In a society that was out of control, they needed to know that He was in control.
We need that same message today. He reminds them that He is ever with them, observing them and protecting them as they seek to serve Him.
As we study these seven letters, I want you to notice that the Lord has something personal to say to each of these churches. He comes to this church talking about His presence among them.
This was a church that desperately needed to recognize the presence of the Lord in their midst.
Jesus makes four observations concerning this church that I want to share with you today.
I want to take this passage and think upon this: From a Flame to a Dying Ember.
I believe Jesus has a word for our hearts today.
Jesus Examines Their Reputation Revelation 1:2-3,6
Jesus commends their service using three words to describe their activity.
1. Works – Look at what they have accomplished. Their accomplishment was the glory of the Lord. They have been working and Jesus has seen it all.
Has Jesus seen our work for him? Do we have any accomplishments or are we lacking?
What is the church accomplishing today? Do we stand against that which is wrong?
2. Labor – Their labor was, intense work coupled with toil and trouble.” This church serving the Lord fervently.
They were literally working their fingers to the bone. In other words, this was no Sunday morning only crowd.
They were actively serving the Lord at great personal expense and great personal sacrifice.
3. Patience – This church had “steadfast endurance”. They continued working in spite of opposition.
Illustration:
If you had gone to this church on a typical Sunday you would have heard about a week filled with activity and opportunities for service. These people knew something that the modern church has forgotten.
• They knew that a church will not build itself.
• They also knew that a church cannot sustain itself.
• They knew that it takes people who will stick by the stuff!
• They also knew that it takes work to do these things!
God did not save us to rest on our blessed assurance. He saved us to be active in His work until He called us home to His glory. Ephesians 2:10; James 2:18; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Colossians 1:10
If Jesus were to appear on this platform today, would He commend us for our works, labor and our patience?
COMMIT ABOUT TODAY:
If you where to visit the mega churches today you would find that most of them, only minister with-in. They are not evangelistic. Most of those attending are nothing more than spiritual sponges always taking in and never giving out.
He Commends Their Separation Revelation 1:2b
“Canst not bear them which are evil” – These people were living a separated lifestyle.
The immorality and evil that defined their world was not a part of their lives.
They took a stand on the side of morality and they lived differently than the world around them.
Illustration:
God still expects this from us today. He demands that we be separate from this evil world, 2 Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 5:1-8.
We need to be aware of our walk, our talk, our dress, our choices of entertainment, and every area of life. We are not of this world. Matthew 5:16 says; Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
If Jesus was to speak to our church, our hearts today, would He commend us for being a separated people?
COMMIT ABOUT TODAY:
We have church members with-in the Christian church that embrace the world and see nothing wrong with it.
You have churches that justify sin and allow it to flourish with-in the church.
He Commends Their Standards Revelation 1:2c, 6
These people are praised because they held fast to sound doctrine. When people passed through their town claiming to be men of God, they put them to the test. They checked out their credentials and they examined their preaching.
If what they said did not line up with the Word of God, they refused to hear them, or to fellowship with them, but they exposed them to be the liars they were.
Because of the times we live in, it is imperative that we hold on to sound doctrine.
Our flesh likes to do what it pleases and then devise doctrine to suit itself.
The Ephesians refused to allow false doctrine to exist in their fellowship.
So how can we accomplish what the Ephesians did?
By placed every teaching along-side the Word of God. If it did not line up then refused to receive it!
We need to make sure that what is being preached and taught in our church lines up with the Word of God.
The Bible says; “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” Acts 17:11
What would Jesus say not about our opinions, but about our doctrinal standards?
COMMIT ABOUT TODAY:
It is sad to say but doctrinal standards are being cast out of the church today in the name of diversity.
They seek to be politically correct as not to offend anyone.
He Commends Their Steadfastness Revelation 1:3
This is a church that has been carrying the load, enduring much affliction and opposition, laboring to the point of exhaustion and they have done so without any signs of weariness. They were a very steadfast congregation. And, what they did, they did for the sake of the Lord. They are a church that deserves to be commended.
Illustration:
On the surface, the church at Ephesus is what every church should strive to be.
We should be busy for the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58, says; “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Does that verse describe our church? Does that verse describe your life? Would Jesus commend us for our steadfastness?
COMMIT ABOUT TODAY:
The number of Christian churches in America are on the decline:
1. The number of Americans regularly attend church is on a steady decline.
2. The mid-sized churches are in a decline.
3. Small rural churches are not keeping up with population growth.
4. Most small rural and mid-size churches average age is 60 yrs.
5. More churches are closing than new ones being started.
Invitation
What is causing of all this? We are living in the End Times; Christians have lost their first love. Have you left your first love?
Are you busy, but busy out of duty and not out of love?
Can you honestly say that you are filled with fervent, emotional, extravagant love for Jesus?
Or, would you have to say that your heart has gotten cold; that your zeal is not what it used to be; that you need to remember, repent and repeat the first works?
If He had touched your heart, you need to deal with Him.
The time is now and the place is here.
