Lessons From the Book of Revelation
Speaker	Sermon Title   (Right Click to Download)	Media
Bobby Stafford	Ephesus (The loveless church) Revelation 2:1-7   Lesson 4

 

The Church at Ephesus

Lesson 4

Text:  Revelation 2:1-7 

Verse 1   As Jesus is moving among the congregations and watching over them, He knows what is going on in every Christian’s life as well as in each of the congregations.  (John 2:24-25)  Congregations, Christians, are gold (precious) because they were purchased with Jesus’ own blood.  (Acts 20:28)  We must shine as lights in the world holding fast the Word of Life.  (Philippians 2:14-15) 

Verses 2-3   A great commendation was given to the congregation at Ephesus.  They had practiced discipline, worked hard serving God in many ways, suffered hardships, and had sacrificed, not giving up.     They had put false teachers to the test.  (I John 4:1)  Christ honored them for all these things.  These were both good and necessary. 

Verse 4   But there was a problem!  Notice Revelation 2:23.  They had left their first love.  This might include two or three things.  They were giving Christ their service, but not giving Him themselves.  (II Corinthians 8:5)  The love, passion and devotion which had characterized them as new converts had now grown cold.  This is similar to Matthew 24:12.  Once they had poured out their hearts in fervent love for Christ, but no more.  They were still worshiping, studying, etc. but their heart wasn’t in it.    Also, possibly they had lost their love for soul-winning, their passion for saving sinners.  (John 4:34-35)  We must let the light of the gospel shine.  (II Corinthians 4:3-4) 

Verse 5   Remember your initial love and devotion. Call to mind your evangelistic zeal.  Repent and do the first works.  Or else they would be removed and no longer considered by Jesus as one of His congregations.  Just calling ourselves a “church of Christ” doesn’t make us one!  He would come “in judgment” upon them. 

Verse 6   Anything God hates; we should hate also.  (Proverbs 6:16-19)  “Abhor what is evil.”  (Romans 12:9, Hebrews 1:9) 

Verse 7   There will be a reward for those who overcome.  The Garden of Eden, a paradise, had a tree of life.  Now it has been restored in Heaven, a Paradise.   (Revelation 22:1-2, 14) 

Bobby Stafford