Getting Back to “Normal”
Revelation 2:1-7
September 30, 2001
Introduction
As we are seeing our nation begin to float back into some form of a routine; we are seeing that things are changing in our daily living. The television has begun to return to its regular schedule. The news media is starting to cover other stories than the terrorist attacks. The stores are gearing up for Christmas. The airports are back open and planes fill the skies. Life seems to be getting back to “normal.”
The question on everyone’s mind seems to be “Will we ever be the same again?” I believe the more appropriate question should be, “Should we ever be the same as we once were?”
Our nation has been a different place for these past few weeks. I believe that it has been a better place. The “normal” bickering and fighting of politicians has stopped. The “normal” barriers on public spirituality were erased. The “normal” racial tensions have been virtually non existent. The “normal” selfishness of people has subsided. The “normal” prayerlessness of our nation has been reversed.
No, we should not go back to “normal.” So, what should we do to keep our current focus? What should we do to keep the unity of our country, our community and our churches alive? We have to call our country, our community and our church back to its first love!
Read Text
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: 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. Revelation 2:1-7
Body
I. The Praise
A. The one gives the praise – Jesus Christ
1. The speaker is Jesus
a.) Jesus gives His approval to the church at Ephesus and shows His name being honored by the actions of this church
b.) This message reveals the very power and presence of Christ within the church, The presence of Jesus is essential for every church to appreciate and understand
2. The power of His presence
a.) When Jesus is present within a church
Worship becomes real rather than routine
Prayer becomes powerful rather than placid
Outreach becomes effective rather than mere effort
People become loving rather than lethargic
Joy becomes contagious
b.) The church needs to be a place where people can see the evidence of the love of Christ. The church needs to be a place where people can establish a personal relationship with Christ. The church needs to be a place that is genuine in fellowship, followership and faith.
B. The points of praise
Jesus points out six areas where the Ephesian church was doing very well. Let’s take a quick look at these qualities:
1. Service
The reference to hard work reveals the servant heart that was a part of the church. The Greek term literally means to work to the point of exhaustion. These believers knew how to work hard and serve Christ wholeheartedly.
2. Steadfast
The Ephesian church was extremely patient and was compelled to serve Christ even when it wasn’t comfortable or convenient. There were many obstacles and difficulties to serving Christ but they kept right on serving.
3. Secure
The Ephesian church was secure enough to deal with false teachers. This means that they endured a great deal of conflict to be sure that those who were within the church behaved with the attitudes and actions of a believer.
4. Selective
The Ephesians tested the beliefs of their teachers before they were given the responsibility of instructing on doctrine. The key is that they did not allow anyone who was not a believer to instruct within the church.
5. Suffering
The Ephesian church suffered for the name of Christ and they endured. This is the church that would not quit. They kept on serving no matter what the difficulty came their way or the price that had to be paid.
6. Solid
The Ephesians stood firm on their beliefs and openly disputed the theology of the Nicolaitans, a radical sect that had penetrated the early church with false doctrine. The Ephesians literally hated the practices and beliefs of this sect.
II. The Problem
A. The great difficulty
1. The church lost its love for Christ
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first. NLT
The church had become so busy serving Christ and doing the work of the church; that they had forgotten their love for Christ. They had become so focused on their routine for Christ that they failed to maintain their relationship with Christ. How could they exchange action for intimacy? How could they accept mediocre instead of meaningful? Simple; it happened over time, slowly, little by little. Live slips away each day you forget to pray. Love erodes as you fail to read and study God’s Word. Love evaporates bit by bit with every course word that you speak and every unkind act that you make.
2. The church lost its love for people
The Ephesians not only lost their love for Christ but also they lost their love for other people. There is a direct connection between loving Christ and loving other people. It is impossible to love others without being connected to the true source of love. The Ephesians were effectively removing their ability to impact the world when they failed to love Christ.
B. The divine solution
1. Remember
Look how far you have fallen from your first love
Jesus is calling the Ephesians to remember what it was like when they first accepted Him. Jesus wanted them to step back in time and renew the freshness of their faith. Jesus wanted them to remember just how amazing His grace is in their lives. Do you remember what it was like when you first accepted Christ? Do you remember how amazing the grace of Jesus really is?
2. Repent
Turn back to me again
Jesus is calling the Ephesians to repent. Literally repenting means to make a change or turn around. What Jesus wanted this church to do was turn away from the distractions, the interference and the lack of priority in their lives. Jesus wanted the church to put Him back at the center of their personal and corporate lives. Jesus wants the same for your life. He wants to be first and foremost.
3. Return
And work as you did at first
Jesus is calling the Ephesians to return to their faithful service. Not just the work of the church but also to the work of spiritual growth. When we stop growing spiritually, we start dying spiritually. Jesus wanted the Ephesians to pursue, strive and serve as they once did.
4. The divine warning
If you don’t I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.
Jesus offers the Ephesians clear and concise warning about their future if they do not change their course of action. If the Ephesians do not return to Him, he will remove their status as a true church.
III. The Promise
A. The promise to those who overcome
1. The qualities of those who overcome
a.) The meaning of overcome
The term overcome means to conquer or gain victory after a hard struggle. Overcoming in this text refers to doing whatever it takes to return to your first love in Christ.
b.) The power of overcoming
The power to overcome does not come from within, nor does it come from those around us. The power to overcome comes only from the ultimate overcomer, Jesus Christ.
2. The basis of individuals
a.) Overcoming is not a team acceptance
Jesus make it very clear that those who overcome will be rewarded but not everyone in the church will overcome. Some will choose not to make the effort to return to Him. Overcoming is a personal choice.
b.) Overcoming does not depend on others
The faith of your church will not make you an overcomer. The faith of your family will not make you an overcomer. Only your faith will allow you to overcome
B. The reward of overcoming
1. Fruit from the tree of life
Jesus promises to those who overcome, fruit from the tree of life. The tree of life gives only one kind of life – eternal. This is never ending, never changing and never joyless life. What a promise!
2. Citizenship in paradise
Jesus also promises that those who overcome will gain citizenship in paradise. We will be given a place of eternal love and joy. A place of eternal peace and control. A place of eternal service and satisfaction.
Conclusion
So, should we get back to “normal”?
If normal means that we go back to our own security and depending on ourselves; then the answer is no.
If normal means that we go back to looking out for number one and ignore the needs of others; then the answer is no.
If normal means that we return to the usual routines of life and ignore spending time with God; then the answer is no.
If normal means that we strive to retrieve the passion and enthusiasm that we has when we first met Christ; the answer is yes.
