Keeping First Things First
Revelation 2:1-7
May 22, 2005
Morning Service
Introduction
When I went to Asbury, for seminary, Maxie Dunam became the new president and I remember the advice he gave to the incoming students. “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” I believe that Pastor Dunam was trying to tell us that in order to succeed at seminary or anything in life for that matter we had to remain focused on the things that really mattered.
How do we keep the main thing the main thing?
Our world seems to be a constant reality that everything and I mean everything is relative. In other word, nothing is absolute and anything can change at a moments notice. You might be surprised but this not really a new problem.
When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased - C.S. Lewis
In a world of changing priorities, how can we stay focused on things that really matter?
Let’s take a few moments to look at the book of Revelation 2:1-7
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
Understanding Ephesus
The Importance of Ephesus
Ephesus was one of the most important cities in the eastern section of the Roman empire for several key reasons. Ephesus was one of the largest ports in the eastern empire and became both a center of trade and transportation. Trade was vital to the life of Ephesus. The city was the point where three major land trade routes converged for distribution by sea. These same land routes also became a mode of easy transportation for people and Roman soldiers. People would conduct both trade and travel through the city of Ephesus.
The Influence of Ephesus
Ephesus held major social and cultural influence within the eastern empire. One of the wonders of the ancient world was in Ephesus - The Temple of Artemis. Ephesus was also a center for the imperial cult, the worship of the current Roman emperor. So there were many temples dedicated to the worship of the emperors. Ephesus was well known for its idolatry.
Ephesus also held great political influence because it was given a certain amount of self rule it was considered a free city. The trade required Ephesus to have one of the largest marketplaces in the empire. Ephesus also boasted of great entertainment, a large stadium and a large theater that could seat 25 thousand people.
I. The Commendation
The one gives the praise – Jesus Christ
Jesus gives His approval to the church at Ephesus and shows His name being honored by the actions of this church. 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
What happens when Jesus becomes a real part of the church?
• His power is displayed in mighty ways
Jesus is the one who is in charge of things
• His people are filled with a sense of wonder
Jesus is the one who brings the true unity within the church
• His presence is truly felt and appreciated
Jesus is the one who brings genuine worship to the church
• His purpose is known and understood
Jesus is the one who is the center of the church
• His priorities are all that matter within the church
Jesus holds the only opinion that truly matters
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 CondemnationThe 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.
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.
The divine solution
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?
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.
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.
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 Commitment
The promise to those who overcome
The qualities of those who overcome
The meaning of overcomeThe 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.
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.
The basis of individuals
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.
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
The reward of overcoming
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!
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
Today, does Jesus have the first place in your life? Is He the center of who you really are or has He just taken a backseat to other things?
Today, is Jesus the Lord of your life or are you just giving Him lip service?
