We’re just beginning our study of Revelation. AS the book opens is around the year 95 AD. John the last of the original 12 disciple alive is an old man has been pastoring the church at Ephesus.
Also during this time Domitian is the emperor of the Roman Empire. He was the first Emperor of Rome who demands to be worshipped as a god. It’s in Ephesus that a (TAB) large temple complex is built and dedicated to Domitian. It had 2 gymnasiums – which were used for study and philosophical discussion. Now it’s interesting because each floor of this complex had these (TAB) columns, several floors then on top was an platform, a temple to worship Domitian’s and a huge statue of him. But notice, that the columns that held up the structure each had heads of Greek gods. So Domitians statue was literally being held up by the Greek gods. He was above them all.
As I said, his statue was huge. (TAB) it’s estimated to be approx. 27 feet high. And it’s positioned so that whether you came by land or sea… you’d see this statue of the great Domitian. It’s as if it’s declaring “I’m not king of kings, I’m god of gods”.
But he’s only one of many gods worshipped in this city. There’s Artemis, all the Greek gods. But because Domitian is the living, ruling Ceasar there is a special connection. He could visit them, and did. Ephesus was the center for Domitian worship. So at various places along the streets were small alters for him…. Were people were to stop and acknowledge him as god. In fact, this was enforce – those who refused could be punished.
(TAB) THIS…. is the city where the church of Ephesus is located. The church that John is pastoring. And many believe that because John only worshiped the one true God of the Bible, he was exiled to Patoms.
While at Patmos, John receives a vision from Jesus in all His glory. He tells him to write letters to 7 churches in the region. The first letter is to the church in Ephesus.
If you haven’t already, please turn with me to (TAB) Rev. 2:1. These are Jesus words. And he commands John (Read v.1)
Remember in the last chapter v. 20 Jesus tells us that the 7 lampstands are 7 different churches. And we see here that Jesus is walking in the midst of them. He knows them, He cares for their situations, their successes and their failures. And Jesus knows what’s going on with His church today. He knows what’s going on with the people who make up First Baptist Church. He knows what’s going on with you. And He’s commissioned His church all over the world, to share the life saving message of the gospel to a lost and dying world. The fact that He’s walking amidst them shows that he not only knows and cares but He takes the business of His church seriously! Let me ask you – do you take the business of the church seriously? That we (you and I) are to be and share light, to take a message of hope and life into a dark and dying world? Oh, He wants us to take it seriously. It’s the only hope in this world.
Let’s look at verse (TAB) 2-3 (read)
Jesus shares (TAB) commendations with them. In fact, we’ll see that He shares commendations with all 7 of the churches.
1st (TAB) we see that they’re a hard working church, diligent at all they do.
2. (TAB) they are a persevering church – they live in a city with rampant idolatry, street alters to worship the Caesar, with the risk of consequences if they don’t – and they persevere still.
3rd (TAB) they are devoted doctrinally. V. 2 says there are those who “said” they were apostles, but the church didn’t just open their arms and welcome them… NO! They tested them to make sure their teaching was sound… and when it wasn’t they refused to tolerate them.
4th (TAB) They’re a church that resists and even hates sin. Jump down to v. 6 (Read v.6)
The Nicolaitans were supposed “believers in Jesus” who compromised their faith in order to enjoy sinful practices of the day. Clement of Alexandria, a theologian of the 2nd century said this of the Nicolaitan, (TAB) “They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self indulgence.” They were a sect in the region who practiced impure acts. So much so that Jesus said (TAB verse) He hated their practices. The word “hate” is strong language – especially from Jesus… but notice he didn’t hate “the people”… He hates their practices.
So, the church of Ephesus, is harding working, diligent, they have a tireless perseverance EVEN in the face of hardship and persecution, they are devoted doctrinally, they resist and hate sin.
That’s some spiritual resume. I mean on those items alone they look like the full package. Right! But Jesus doesn’t just share commendation… he also has words of condemnation. Look at v.4 (READ)
WOW, that had to have been hard for them to hear. It’s not that they don’t love the Lord at all-of course they do. But (TAB) Jesus isn’t their 1st love.
It’s been said that man has a 3-fold spiritual nature.
(TAB) The head – the place of understanding/intellect.
(TAB) The will – where man decides who he will yield too.
Ephesus had the first 2 down. All their activity exhibited that God had their head and will…. But the 3rd area is the area of (TAB) The Heart: Oh, and this is essential one. It’s the throne of life. You can have 2 without this one - but Jesus can never have YOU without this one.
Realize it’s 95 AD. So this church is approx. 40 years old now… the 2nd generation of Christians are now in leadership. They’ve continued to be a busy, hard working, persevering even in the face of persecution. They’re doctrinally strong, they hated sin… but their motivation has shifted – their love for Jesus has been misprioritized. Their head and will were fine… but their hearts not, and THAT jeopardizes their future as a church, as a light and hope in to a lost and dying world.
When you misprioritize the focus of a loving heart making Jesus your 1st love… it’s just a matter of time and apathy will set in. And what good is an apathetic church? IT’s a sure path to the church graveyard.
For those of you who are married or have a significant other…. Remember how excited you were when you first fell in love… there was still so much you didn’t know about them, but you were so excited to share time with them, invest in them. WHY? Because you were in love.
Remember how excited you were when you first came to know Jesus? You had so much to learn about God… but you knew one thing – how much He loved you. And the love He showed as He earned your forgiveness, your place in the family of God made you (TAB) enthusiastically love Him back. Remember?
But then, after being a Christian for years, decades… you’ve learned so much more about God, church services, classes, bible study and personal reading…. Before you lacked knowledge but had plenty of enthusiasm… maybe now you have plenty of knowledge, its’ the enthusiasm you lack. We need to know that both (TAB) enthusiasm and knowledge are necessary for a vibrant, productive life in Christ. And it’d prioritized love that maintains that.
A cooling heart toward God can lead to spiritual apathy. Which leads to Christians who misprioritize their love and make little to no difference for the cause of Christ.
The church in Ephesus - worked so hard. They had tireless perseverance. In the face of hardship and persecution, they were devoted doctrinally, they resisted and even hated sin – How could Jesus NOT be their first love?
The late Warren Wiersby puts it perfectly:
(TAB) “Labor is not a substitute for love, neither is purity a substitute for passion. The church must have both if it is going to please Him.”
Back to a marriage relationship – a husband can provide financially for his wife, he can be faithful to her – never even looking at another woman. But love and heart passion are more than financial provision and marital faithfulness. RIGHT?
Let me ask you: Do you love God with the same fervor you did when you first came to know Him?
All of a sudden this 2000 year old letter to the church in Ephesus is so applicable for us today. Is Jesus your first love? Has that love shifted to someone or something else?
If it has, Jesus gives a prescription as to what to do – v.5a (read) 3 words stand out. The first one is: (TAB)
#1 (TAB) Remember, think back to the early years of your relationship with Jesus. The love and gratitude you had. The thirst and hunger to know Him more. You wanted to be in His presence, you wanted to study and read, worship and pray. Your friends and family saw a change in you. You found courage to share the Good New of Jesus with them. Jesus tells them and us, “Remember that place from which you have fallen – see when we see where we were – it helps us realize where we are. Remember!
Then #2 (TAB) Repent.” TURN from the wrong way (where you are) to Jesus. His way. To follow Him. making Him your 1st love. It’s a change of direction and attitude. Remember, repent
Then #3 (TAB) “Do” “Do the things you did at first.” I remember when Melissa and I were dating. I was regularly surprised her with acts of love. I even made dinner for her once. I put tea light candles all over the kitchen. I’d leave post it notes for her to find. I’d surprise her with flowers and give her complements, tell her how pretty she is…. I didn’t do that out of obligation… “I have to do this” If I said that - she’d shove the flowers up my nose. Why did I do that? Because I loved her.
Jesus says, “remember” “repent” and do the things you did at first, not because you have too, but because you want to - you love him. We know His love for us (TAB – cross)
“Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for ones friends.” Then what does he say. “I have called YOU friends.”
Remember, repent and do the things you did at first.
Are there changes that you need to make? Determine to make them.
Question: (TAB) What happens if the need to repent isn’t heeded? Look at the 2nd half of v.5b “If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from it’s place.” The church (not a building - the people) are meant to reflect Him to the world… to be light in darkness. And Jesus warns them – “If the need to repent isn’t heeded your light will be extinguished.” They will cease to be a church.
Whoooa! And this from JESUS!
What can you and I, what can First Baptist learn from this? That we can be:
-hard working as a church
-persistent for His cause even in the face of persecution
-Devoted to proper doctrine
-and resisting sin, hating it…
But if our love for Him is misplaced… if our motive are something other than our love for Jesus. It can all be for nothing.
IT is essential for each of us, and for our church family to keep the Main thing the main thing.
(TAB) Loving God first
It reminds me of the words of the Apostles Paul? (TAB) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Cor. 13: 2-3
And our church will gain nothing if He isn’t our first love. We risk even being a church for Jesus if He’s not our 1st love.
And when He is our first love – then we reflect our love for Him in what we say and do. Jesus himself said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:35
We are to love God first and love others. And then we’ll be known for love. And if we don’t… we have nothing.
Evaluate your spiritual life right now – is He your first love?
Which brings us to another questions: (TAB) what happens if the need to repent – is heeded: … look at v. 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.”
Notice it’s individual focused. HE doesn’t say if “the church” has an ear and hears. It says “He”. Even if the church insn’t willing… BUT YOU ARE… You will overcome. And He will give YOU the right to eat from the tree of life. This tree was in the Garden of Eden – it allowed for eternal life. But when Adam and Eve sinned they were removed from the garden before they could eat it.
Eternal life is what Jesus came to give us: forgiveness of our sin, a restored relationship with God and eternity with Him.
What he’s saying here is, when we make sure Jesus is our first love – we prove we’re His. We’re overcomers. We’re part of the eternal family of God.
For God’s people – HE is their first love. If He’s not, than we’re not His people. We’re in darkness. (TAB) Without love we’re nothing – we’re lost.
Is He your first love? If not, He’s told you what to do.
Remember what He’s done for you… Repent, turn from the wrong way to Him. And begin to do what He’s called us to. Love Him with your life – all that you are, do and say. And then reflect Him and His love to others.
This might be a 2000 year old letter – but as we watch the news, as we see what’s going on today… oh, how we need to hear it.
Let’s pray:
Father, you are serious about your church. We live in a day that shows us the need for the true church of Jesus Christ. A light in darkness, Love in a world of hate. Thank you Lord, that you modeled this life for us… And as we love you first – you’ll help us be everything you desire us to be, showing and sharing the message of hope and new life - in your love. Helps us to take this letter to heart so that you can use us as light in a world that is getting increasingly dark. In Jesus Name.
And if you’ve never opened your heart and life to Jesus – and you’re ready to give yourself to Him, pray with me. Jesus, forgive me, I know I fall so short. Thank you for loving me enough to take on yourself the punishment of my sin. Thank you that you defeated sin and death for me. I commit my life to you today. Help me to follow you as my first love from this day forward. In Jesus’ name.
