The Church at
Ephesus
Introduction
Revelation 2:1–7 records the Lord’s word to Ephesus. Christ knows
every congregation and every soul. He commends their labor and
discernment, exposes a cooled love, prescribes repentance, warns of
removal, and promises paradise to those who overcome. Text:
Revelation 2:1–7.
Christ Walks
Among His Churches
Jesus “holds the seven stars” and “walks in the midst of the seven
golden lampstands.” He is present, attentive, and sovereign over
every congregation. Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows each
Christian’s life and every congregation’s condition (John 2:24–25).
His people are precious, purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28).
As gold lampstands, congregations must shine as lights in a dark
world, holding fast the word of life without grumbling or disputing
(Philippians 2:14–15).
Christ’s
Commendation of Ephesus
The Lord honors what He sees in Ephesus: sustained labor, endurance,
and holy intolerance for evil. They tested those who claimed
authority and exposed the false (1 John 4:1). They served under
pressure, persevered through hardship, and did not give up. These
qualities matter to Christ and remain necessary for every faithful
congregation.
Christ’s
Charge: “You Have Left Your First Love”
Yet the Searcher of hearts reveals what others might not see
(Revelation 2:23). Their outward diligence masked an inward cooling.
They had given Christ their service without wholly giving Him
themselves (2 Corinthians 8:5). Love, passion, and devotion that
once overflowed had diminished, like the love of many growing cold
(Matthew 24:12). This dulling of love also dulls zeal for saving the
lost. The Lord’s food is to do the Father’s will and finish His
work; He calls us to lift up our eyes to fields white for harvest
(John 4:34–35). When the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to the
perishing; therefore we must let the light shine and the message be
clear (2 Corinthians 4:3–4).
Christ’s
Remedy: Remember, Repent, and Do the First Works
The Lord gives a threefold path of restoration. First,
remember the
warmth of early devotion—your grateful obedience, joy in worship,
and eagerness in evangelism. Second,
repent—change the
heart, renew the mind, and return affection to Christ. Third,
do the first works—serve
with renewed love, not as routine but as grateful offering. This
renewal safeguards a congregation’s identity. Mere labels never make
a church faithful in Christ’s sight.
Christ’s
Warning and Encouragement
If Ephesus refused the remedy, Christ would come in judgment and
remove its lampstand. This removal is real and solemn. At the same
time, He encourages their holy hatred of what God hates. The deeds
of the Nicolaitans were detestable to Him, and He commends Ephesus
for sharing His abhorrence (Proverbs 6:16–19; Romans 12:9; Hebrews
1:9). He calls the whole church to hear and overcome, promising life
to those who endure without growing weary (Galatians 6:9).
Christ’s
Promise to Overcomers
To the conqueror He grants access to the tree of life in the
Paradise of God. What humanity lost at Eden is restored fully and
forever in heaven, where healing and life flow from God and the Lamb
(Revelation 22:1–2, 14). This hope fuels present endurance and
rekindles fervent love.
The Church
at Ephesus Sermon Outline:
-
Text:
Revelation 2:1–7
-
Theme:
Christ commends faithful labor and discernment, exposes a cooled
love, commands repentance, and promises the tree of life to
those who overcome.
-
I.
Christ’s Presence and Ownership
(Revelation 2:1; John 2:24–25; Acts 20:28; Philippians 2:14–15)
-
II.
Christ’s Commendation of Ephesus
(Revelation 2:2–3; 1 John 4:1; Galatians 6:9)
-
III.
Christ’s Charge of Forsaken Love
(Revelation 2:4; Revelation 2:23; 2 Corinthians 8:5; Matthew
24:12; John 4:34–35; 2 Corinthians 4:3–4)
-
IV.
Christ’s Remedy (Revelation 2:5)
-
V.
Christ’s Warning and Encouragement
(Revelation 2:5–6; Proverbs 6:16–19; Romans 12:9; Hebrews 1:9)
-
VI.
Christ’s Promise (Revelation 2:7;
Revelation 22:1–2, 14)
Call to
Action
Examine your love for Christ. Remember the joy of early devotion.
Pray for a heart renewed in affection, zeal, and gratitude. Repent
where love has cooled, and return to the first works—glad worship,
generous service, and bold witness. Ask the Lord to walk your
congregation into deeper holiness, brighter light, and steadfast
endurance until He grants you to eat of the tree of life.
Key
Takeaways
-
Christ knows
every congregation and every soul; He walks among His churches
(Revelation 2:1; John 2:24–25).
-
Faithful
work and doctrinal testing matter to the Lord (Revelation 2:2–3;
1 John 4:1).
-
Forsaken
love must be restored by remembering, repenting, and returning
to the first works (Revelation 2:4–5; 2 Corinthians 8:5).
-
Holy people
abhor what God hates and cling to what is good (Revelation 2:6;
Proverbs 6:16–19; Romans 12:9; Hebrews 1:9).
-
Overcomers
receive the tree of life in God’s Paradise (Revelation 2:7;
Revelation 22:1–2, 14).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Revelation 2:1–7 — Christ’s
message to Ephesus: commendation, charge, remedy, warning,
promise.
-
John
2:24–25 — Jesus knows all people;
nothing is hidden from Him.
-
Acts
20:28 — The church purchased with
Christ’s blood; precious to God.
-
Philippians 2:14–15 — Shine as
lights, holding fast the word of life.
-
1 John
4:1 — Test the spirits; discern
truth from error.
-
Revelation 2:23 — Christ searches
minds and hearts; He gives according to works.
-
2
Corinthians 8:5 — They “gave
themselves first to the Lord”; the essence of love.
-
Matthew
24:12 — Love grows cold when
lawlessness abounds.
-
John
4:34–35 — Christ’s food is to do
the Father’s will; lift up your eyes for the harvest.
-
2
Corinthians 4:3–4 — The veiled
gospel and the call to clarity in proclamation.
-
Galatians 6:9 — Do not grow weary
in well-doing; reap in due season.
-
Proverbs 6:16–19 — What the Lord
hates; wisdom for moral discernment.
-
Romans
12:9 — Abhor evil; cling to what
is good.
-
Hebrews
1:9 — The Anointed loves
righteousness and hates lawlessness.
-
Revelation 22:1–2, 14 — Tree of
life and blessing for those who enter the city.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO |
The
church of Christ
