"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds 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 grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’"
I do not believe, however, that we should have to wait until things fall completely apart before we take a look at them. That’s why Jesus gave us these letters to the seven churches, so that we can review ourselves. Like many churches today, each church was unique, each had their own set of problems. The real power is in seeing that these were seven letters to seven
literal, real churches in Asia Minor. And in each of those
churches represent the problems that have plagued local churches throughout
history. In fact, they continue to plague churches even today.
As we begin to study these seven church, I believe that the Holy Spirit will convict us as we begin to see some of these same problems in our own churches. We may not just see our churches in these problems, we may also see ourselves.
Let us pray
Heavenly Father,
Father, we thank You for Your Word. Lord, we pray that You would use us mightily, not only here in our community, but throughout the nation and in other parts of the world, to touch lives with the gospel message. Lord, we praise You, that we’re continuing to see people all around the world, embracing Jesus Christ. People in our own community who are growing in grace and in knowledge of our Lord. We thank You for that.
Keep Your mighty hand on us Lord, bless this church and it's people that may continue to be a voice in the world reaching the lost, the deceived and we will continue to praise You. For You alone are worthy of our praise. We’re so grateful that you’ve given us Your Word, so rich and so powerful, and that You have charged us with spreading Your kingdom here on earth. Keep us faithful to Your commands, that we may never lose our first love. May we long to live in the light and wonder of that first love, today, as when it first swept into our lives, removing us from darkness.
In Jesus's name we pray
Amen
Today's Message: Rekindle The Fire
There is a rapidly increasing hostility toward the truth in the world today. I do not know when it will become a crime to proclaim the truth of God, I do know however, our government is increasing passing bills, that to say anything against abortion, any kind of sexual perversion is a crime. I do know that this is a generation thoroughly committed to doing evil.
As we previously discussed, the twenty-five years after the Great Ejection, was certainly one of the longest attempts ever made to silence preachers. Now scattered, they chased them everywhere they went in effort to stifle the truth. Preaching the truth of God became a crime. I have never altered one letter of God’s Word. nor would I even if proclaiming the truth were to become a crime. Throughout history, many have been killed for the truth, I am well aware that this is the same world, in the hands of the same devil. How long it will be allowed to proclaim the truth, I am not certain.
In order for us to see what the Lord asks of us in the coming days, we turn to the Word of God.
Open your Bible with me to the book of Revelation chapter 2. As we return to the study of God’s Word in the marvelous book of Revelation, we embark on a new chapter. Christ is already empowering, interceding, purging, teaching, commanding, controlling, evangelizing through His church. Are we going to remain faithful in order for Him to use us? As we begin to read through and study these seven letters, it doesn't take long to realize they're suffering. In chapter 1, John would refer to himself as a "
brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation." John too was suffering.
brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation." John too was suffering.
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
‘I
know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot
tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves
apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore
remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you
did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand
out of its place—unless you repent. Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To
him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in
the Paradise of God.’"
A little background on Ephesus. It was the largest and most important city in the Roman province of Asia
Minor. If you were able to find it on a map today, you would find
Ephesus on the western coast of Turkey, across the Aegean Sea
from Athens, Greece. It was a port city and was built on the crossings of four major trade
routes. There were up to a half a million people who lived there at any given time.
In Ephesus was the temple of Diana, which was known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It essentially became a sanctuary for criminals and people looking to make a quick buck, with thousands of male and female temple prostitutes. Interestingly enough, the wealthy kept their treasures in the inner shrine of the temple, which seems odd to me, having the same sanctuary home to both criminals and a bank.
Allow me to remind you, that it was right in the middle of this city that Paul’s ministry partners, Priscilla and Aquila, planted a church. Near the end of his second missionary journey, Paul went back there. It was a
brief stop. His biggest ministry there happened during his third
missionary journey. At which time he spent three years with them, building
the church. The church has always existed as an island in a sea of paganism.
In Acts 18, Apollos came there from Alexandria and he influenced the church, he was mighty in the Scriptures and the Old Testament, Aquila and Priscilla taught him the gospel. In Acts 20, Paul trained and retrained the pastors, they loved him very much and wept when he left. Later, Timothy would come to pastor the church at Ephesus. Tychicus also pastored there, then finally the Apostle John.What a legacy of leadership. It was while he was serving as their pastor that the Roman Emperor Domitian’s men physically removed him, exiling him to the island of Patmos.
Ancient Ephesus, now in Turkey called Kusadasi. It is incredibly remarkable that the ruins are still there. The church at Ephesus is well founded, taught by the best possible leaders. It is spiritually strong. Called "The Market to Asia," it would later be referred to as the "Highway of the Martyrs," as they were brought through Ephesus to Rome, to be thrown into the arenas with lions.
There were four highways that led into Ephesus, one came from the north from Pergamos and Smyrna; one came from the northeast from Sardis, Galatia, Phrygia into Ephesus; one came from the southeast, the great trade route from the Euphrates by Colossi and Laodicea into Ephesus; and from the north from the rich Meander Valley. Right smack in the middle of this city of sin, is a group of Christians, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, in spite of the environment, some of the greatest victories of grace ever won were in Ephesus. The church flourished and grew.
However, even well-taught, godly people still fall short of the glory of God. And, that is exactly what happened at Ephesus. That brings us to verses 2 and 3.
"'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary."
It is significant to mention, that all of the people who were converted there, were converted out of sin dominated culture. This was a church of people who toiled for the sake of the kingdom. This is a church to be commended. They weren’t lazy, in fact, they gave it everything they had for the sake of the gospel. Unlike some people who attend church today, who are merely looking to be entertained.
This church was active, they were teaching, loving, sharing, ministering to one another, and proclaiming the gospel. They were certainly not offering anyone a seat on the pew to take a nap on during church. Rather, they were busy, sowing the seeds of the good news! They were not only known for the deeds, their toil, but their perseverance and patience.
Beyond that "you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and you found them to be false." They were hard-working and relentless. Then, the Lord said, "you have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary." They hated sin, all that was morally and spiritually bad. Paul wrote in his letter, "Neither give place to the devil." And they didn't! In fact, their theology was was so sound, they could measure anyone against the truth and expose error. Quite a commendation. This is truly a remarkable church. Jesus noticed how they have faithfully stuck to their calling, no matter how people reacted and no matter what the results. They didn't give up.
Then, in verse 4, we go from the commendation to the condemnation. "But I have this against you, that you have left your first love."
They had lost that burning, passionate emotional fervor that they had when they had been delivered from the kingdom of darkness when they first got saved. The heat and passion of that first love was gone. They had left.
You know, I believe that is a danger to us all, losing our first love. I believe many churches are much like the church at Ephesus. They are faithful, they know the truth, they work very hard, they hate sin, they have discernment, they expose error. Yet, they are in danger of losing their first love. You still come to church, you still work, you still believe, you still sing, you still hold to the truth, but I know you don’t love Me like you once did. They lost that kind of love that overflows into simple, heartfelt testimony.
You know, when the heart grows cold, you're in danger, very grave danger. If you get nothing else out of this message, I want you to get this. I want you to look deep inside, examine yourself and ask, was there ever a time in your Christian journey when you were more excited about Jesus than you are today? Were you more passionate about telling people about Jesus Christ and what He's done in your life? Are you overwhelmed with the joy and love you had for Christ as when you were first saved? Can you take it or leave it coming to church? Is it as precious to you as it once was? Go back in your mind, to when you were first converted. Do you remember that glorious experience that was yours when you first came to Christ? Are you so comfortable in your salvation that you’ve forgotten your passion? I pray not.
That brings us to verse 5, "Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent."
You restore your love for Christ, by doing what you did at the beginning. Repent of your lack of love for the Lord. Repent of your failure to love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Go back to the very beginning and start again. Jesus told the church at Ephesus that if they didn’t come back to their first love again, He was going to remove their lampstand. In other words, Jesus was going to shut down the church!
The consequences are severe. They would no longer going to be one of the churches, that He walked in the midst of. History tells us that the church of Ephesus continued on strong into the second century. But then, afterwards, they began to decline. Tragically, there was nothing left of the original, spiritually strong, doctrinally pure church. Not even a smoldering wick remained on their lampstand. They slowly died. Today, there’s not even a church in Ephesus, in fact, there's not even a city there. I believe that verse 5 holds the key. First, we must remember! Then, after you remember—repent.
If have to wonder if He was telling them to remember the things that Paul had written to them earlier in his letter. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him."
Or in verses 12 through 14, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
In verse 6, He says "Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." Their labor for Christ was with major effort. They didn’t want to just eat the fruit of the harvest, they were willing to plow, and plant, as well as harvest. After having indicted them in verses 4 and 5, rather seriously I might add, He comes back to the commendation.
There is really no way that we can dogmatically identify the Nicolaitans. However, in verse 15, we get a what I believe may be a glimpse, "Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans." Then, go back to verse 14, "But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality."
Balaam seduced God’s people into idolatry, into acts of immorality. Instead of leading people to godliness, he led them into sin, acts of immorality and idolatry. That's what Balaam did. So, it appears to me that whatever Balaam did, was being done by the Nicolaitans.It is terribly disturbing to me that was being permitted in Pergamus. This was not the case however, in Ephesus. They could spot a Nicolaitan a mile away.
You know, it doesn't bother me when people have something against me or our ministry, false teachers are everywhere, trying to shoot down those of us who stand firm in the truth, but when the Lord has something against your church, that's a serious problem. Decreasing intensity of your love for Christ is sin. We are commanded to the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, anything less, is a sin.
Since I first committed my life to Jesus Christ, my love, my devotion has significantly increased. Some had said I am obsessed with Jesus. Well, perhaps that is true, the more I come to know Him, about Him, the hungrier I become to know even more. I have an insatiable hunger for the Word of God.
Each letter closes with some counsel, which takes shape in two ways: First an invitation and then a promise. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." This is God’s way of saying you better listen. This is a serious warning. God is saying "I’ve been analyzing at your church, there is a problem. Now, I'm giving you the solution, so you need to listen." That’s the invitation to fix the issue that He found.
Next, is the promise. "To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’" That’s the promise, to him who overcomes. That's a reference to believers, "To him who overcomes." He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. They were believers, they were headed for heaven, but were still going to lose their ministry because they lost their love. Spiritual defection can come from busyness, from forgetting. That's what makes it hard. That's why the Bible constantly calls for us to remember. This transcends to all Christians, all churches, for all time. Defection begins with leaving your first love.
In Closing..
I encourage each of you to examine your heart, see if there is anything you love more than Christ. If there is anything or anyone you want more than Christ. Even if you love your theology more than Christ, you’ve left your first love. Remember from where you have fallen, this by the way indicates sin, leaving your first love is sin. When you have fallen into sin, then you need to confess your sin and then repent. Confess the sin of losing your first love, confess your coldness, confess the sin of routine worship out of duty. Confess the sin of serving the Lord without joy.
Remember, and go back to when you longed for the closeness of His fellowship, when you were caught up in prayer, when studied the Bible with hunger. When witnessing wasn't a burden, it was an exhilarating experience you couldn't wait to share with others. Remember when you couldn't get enough of Jesus and repent. And be swept up again in the joy of your salvation.
May it be so ..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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