"Ephesus, The Burden of a Lost Love"
Revelation 2:1-7
INTRO. In Revelation 1, John tells us of His vision of the LORD Jesus Christ. John says, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I AM ALPHA and OMEGA, THE FIRST and THE LAST: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia..." (Revelation 1:10-11).
John turned to see the vision of the One speaking, and “saw seven golden candlesticks: And in the midst of the seven candlesticks, one like unto the Son of man.” (Revelation 1:12-13). The vision was extraordinary. He saw one whose head and hairs were white like wool, white as snow, and His eyes were as a flame of fire.
His feet were like unto fine brass and His voice as the sound of many waters. John said, “In His right hand he held seven stars: And out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance shineth like the Sun.” When John saw it, He fainted, as if dead before His feet.
He laid His right hand on John, saying, “Fear not, I AM THE FIRST and LAST: I AM HE THAT LIVETH, and was DEAD; BEHOLD I AM ALIVE FOREVERMORE and HAVE THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HELL." (Revelation 1:17-18). Christ then tells John, "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter." (Revelation 1:19).
"John," The Savior says, "The seven stars which thou sawest are the angels (pastors) of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." (Revelation 1:20).
Revelation 2, begins the Letters To The Seven Churches with the Church of Ephesus. Ephesus was an Asian City founded by the Greeks on the mouth of the Cayster river. It was a center of pagan worship to Artemis and Diana. Paul founded the Ephesian Church on his 3rd missionary journey. The City was a proud, rich, busy port to many sailors of the day. Let us consider the Church at Ephesus tonight, it's strengths and weaknesses.
NOTICE THE LORD'S:
(1) Commendation
Text: Revelation 2:1-3, 6
A. He Commended their Labor in the LORD (v2a, 3)
B. He Commended their Church Discipline (v2b)
C. He Commended their stand against evil deeds and practices (v2c, 6)
(2) Concern
Text: Revelation 2:4
*He was concerned because “Thou hast left thy first love..” WHY? THEY
HAD LOST THEIR FIRST LOVE:
A. They had failed to Recognize His Presence.
B. They had failed to Rely on His Power.
(3) Call and Challenge
Text: Revelation 2:5, 7
A. A call to remember and repent (v5a)
B. A challenge to act or else lose thy candlestick (v5b, 7)
CLOSING: Jesus laid out a challenge in Revelation 2:7, saying, “He that hath
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.”
It is a challenge to all of us to hear God's Spirit speaking to us.
WHAT WILL OUR RESPONSE BE TO HIS SPIRIT?