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The LOVELESS church

  • 1st – Introduction… vs. 1
    • 1st – Seven Churches…
      • SEVEN letters…
        • Out of the 27 book of the NT – 21 are LETTERS written to churches…
        • But the SECOND section of REVELATION – gives us SEVEN more letters…
        • Given by Jesus – written down by John – with THREE possible interpretations!
        • SEVEN literal churches in Asia Minor [modern day Turkey]
        • Different KINDS of churches – the TOTAL [seven] church…
        • The HISTORY of the church – from PENTECOST to the RAPTURE!
      • Historical church…
        • Ephesus – the Apostolic Church: 32-100 A.D.
        • Smyrna – the Martyr Church: 100-313 A.D.
        • Pergamos – the Compromising Church: 314-590 A.D.
        • Thyatira – the Roman Catholic Church: 590-1517 A.D.
        • Sardis – the Reformation Church: 1517-1700 A.D.
        • Philadelphia – the Revival Church: 1700-1900 A.D.
        • Laodicea – the Worldly Church: 1900-Rapture
      • Each of the LETTERS to the churches contains FOUR sections…
        • Introduction – Positive – Negative – and Encouragement…
        • Not all of the churches receive all FOUR sections…
        • TWO of the churches receive no NEGATIVE – Smyrna and Philadelphia
        • ONE of the churches did not get any POSITIVE – Laodicea!
    • 2nd – The Angel… vs. 1
      • To the angel!
      • There are TWO thoughts on WHO this ANGEL was:
      • FIRST – a guardian ANGEL – who watched over Ephesus – Psalm 91:11
      • SECOND – it could be the PASTOR of the church…
      • ANGEL [ἄγγελος] – means messenger – one who gives Gods WORD…
      • Therefore Jesus could be talking about the PASTOR – who gave the church His Word!
    • 3rd – The City… vs. 1
      • The church of Ephesus write!
        • Ephesus was the largest and most powerful city in Asia-minor [Turkey]
        • The city was very wealthy – with a population of over 150,000 people…
        • It sat at the crossroads of TWO main trade routes in the Roman Empire…
        • By LAND they were halfway between Macedonia [Greece] and Alexandria [Egypt]
        • By SEA – the city was on the Aegean Sea – part of a major trade route to Rome!
        • It was a major hub of commerce flowing from the EAST to WEST in the Roman Empire!
      • Powerful city…
        • The city was about FOUR miles from the sea – connected by the Cayster [Κάϋστρος] river…
        • The streets were lined with marble – the ruins are still there to this day…
        • Walking down Curetes street – you pass incredible buildings like the Celsus library…
        • Markets [ἀγορά]- with the names of the stores carved in stone – and public bathrooms…
        • They had hot and cold running water inside of the houses [fed by hot and cold springs]
        • Towards the end of the road – there is a theatre that holds 25,000 people!
        • The point being it was a VERY wealthy – VERY powerful – VERY influential city!
      • Immoral city…
        • The temple of Artimus [Dianna] – was one of the SEVEN wonders of the ancient world…
        • When we think of a Greek Temple – Parthenon – still standing today in Athens…
        • The temple to Dianna was TWICE as high – EIGHT times as large [bigger than a stadium]
        • Artimus was the daughter of Zeus – and was said to have fallen from the sky to Ephesus…
        • It was likely a METEOR – with bumps all over it – that they worshiped!
        • Artimus was the goddess of fertility [many breast] – making Ephesus a very immoral place!
      • Second MISSIONARY journey…
        • Paul first visited Ephesus on his SECOND missionary journey – Acts 18
        • He returned to Ephesus on his THIRD missionary journey – stayed for THREE years…
        • A revival began in Ephesus – a LOT of people were getting saved…
        • As a result – a certain idol maker named Demetrius – was losing a LOT of money…
        • People were no longer buying idols of Artimus – so stirred he the up trouble…
        • 25,000 people gathered in a riot in the theatre – Acts 19:30
        • Paul would return to instruct the Ephesian elders at Miletus – Acts 20:17
        • And the Book of Ephesus – was written by Paul to this same CHURCH!
        • The point being there was a SOLID – well established church in Ephesus!
    • 4th – The TONE…
      • Describing Jesus…
        • In His INTRODUCTION to each Church – Jesus will look back – Revelation 1:11-18
        • Highlighting specific CHARACTERISTICS of the Vision John saw…
        • The choice of CHARACTERISTICS – will set the TONE for the LETTER to that church…
        • With EPHESUS – Jesus will highlight the GOOD they had DONE…
        • And the WITNESS they were giving of Him to the world!
      • These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand!
        • We saw last week the SEVEN stars – are the SEVEN angles – Revelation 1:20
        • But do not miss the RIGHT hand – speaking of the STRENGTH of Christ…
        • Jesus is going to COMMEND the church for their GOOD works…
        • But it they do NOT get the credit – their STRENGTH comes from the LORD!
        • The church needs to remember – who is the source of the GOOD they do…
        • It is not our great ideas – or amazing programs – that impact a lost world…
        • The only GOOD any church can do – comes by depending on the STRENGTH of God!
        • I Corinthians 4:7 – “What do you have that God has not given you? If all you have is from God – why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?”
      • Who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands!
        • We saw last week the SEVEN lampstands – are the SEVEN churches – Revelation 1:20
        • Which are a PICTURE of the MENORAH – lighting the way into the presence of God!
        • But Jesus here is going to give a WARNING to the church…
        • They could do everything RIGHT – but if they miss ONE thing – they could lose their LIGHT!
  • 2nd – Positive… vs. 2-3
    • 1st – Jesus KNOWS… vs. 2
      • I know your works – your labor – your patience!
        • KNOWS [εἴδω] – to SEE and UNDERSTAND…
        • Jesus will make this statement to all SEVEN churches – He sees EVERYTHING!
        • GOOD and BAD – nothing [perfect] is hidden from our Lord!
        • Hebrews 4:13 – “There is no creature hidden from His sight – but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
      • In Ephesus – Jesus SAW their:
        • WORK [ἔργον] – to be busy – what they spend the majority of their time DOING…
        • LABOR [κόπος] – to have sorrow – what they STRUGGLED with…
        • PATIENCE – to have consistency – their solution in Jesus…
        • Which the Lord goes on to define one at a time!
    • 2nd – Their WORK… vs. 2 /6
      • That you cannot [tolerate] those who are evil!
        • The church in Ephesus – spent the majority of their time doing GOOD…
        • Therefore – they did NOT have the POWER [δύναμαι] to TOLERATE [βαστάζω]
        • Those who were determined to do BAD [κακός]!
        • We are called to HELP those who are overcome by SIN – Galatians 6:1
        • But we do not have the POWER to help – someone who WANTS to sin…
        • It is hard to see someone destroy their lives with BAD choices…
        • Yet if they WANT to SIN – there is not much you can do – but wait till they are broken!
      • You have tested those who say they are apostles and are not – and have found them liars!
        • The FIRST of their GOOD works – TESTING the apostles…
        • TEST [πειράζω] – to PROVE to see what someone is made of…
        • The Church TESTED men who CLAIMED [φάσκω] to be APOSTLES [ἀπόστολος]
        • APOSTLES – someone SENT by God to as a representative – or ambassador…
        • What they found – is that these men were LIARS [ψευδής]!
        • Be careful when someone says – the THUS SAYS THE LORD – be absolutely sure…
        • People will try to claim they have authority – because they represent God…
        • But we must EXAMINE what they SAY – and see if it lines up with the TRUTH!
        • I John 1:4 – “Do not believe every spirit – but test the spirits whether they are of God!”
      • This you have – that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans – which I also hate!
        • The SECOND of their GOOD works – HATING [μισέω] the WORK [ἔργον] of the Nicolaitans…
        • There are TWO views as to what this might be referring to…
        • It could be to those who followed the teachings of NICHOLAS…
        • NICHOLAS was one of the SEVEN deacons raised up at the church in Jerusalem – Acts 6:5
        • Some of the early church fathers [Irenaeus] taught that he became a HERETIC…
        • Teaching that it was OK to practice adultery – promiscuity…
        • Which would have been well received in the sinful culture of Artimus worship!
      • Hierarchy…
        • Nicolaitans [Νικολαΐτης] is a compound word – Victory [νῖκος] and People [λαός]
        • Meaning those who RULED over the PEOPLE – speaking of HIERARCHY in the church…
        • The idea being – leaders who taught people could not come directly to the Lord!
        • There is no HIERARCHY with Jesus – we have direct access to the Father through Him…
        • Jesus did all the work for us – Jesus died on the cross so that we could come to God…
        • Through Him we have complete access – into the very throne room of our Father!
        • Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.”
    • 3rd – Their PATIENCE… vs. 3
      • You have [tolerated] and have patience! 
      • Although the church had not TOLERATED – those who were determined to do BAD…
      • They did TOLERATE [βαστάζω] those who were STRUGGLING…
      • They did so by encouraging them to have PATIENCE…
      • PATIENCE [ὑπομονή] – [ὑπό] under – [μένω] to abide – to CLING to Jesus!
      • There is only ONE solution to EVERY problem people bring to us…
      • It does not matter if they are struggling FINANCIALLY – Jesus can provide…
      • If they are hurting PHYSICALLY – Jesus can heal…
      • If they are have a problem with RELATIONSHIPS [marriage – kids] – Jesus can restore…
      • The BEST way we can HELP others – is to encourage them to ABIDE in Jesus!
      • John 15:5 – “He who abides in Me – I in him – bears much fruit. Without Me you can do nothing.”
    • 4th – Their LABOR… vs. 2
      • And have labored for My names sake and have not become weary!
        • The LABOR [κόπος] of the church – what they struggled with – was serving the LORD…
        • Because it is NOT easy to SERVE Jesus – it often seems like there is no FRUIT…
        • And the temptation is to become WEARY – and to give up!
        • We want to see the good FRUIT from our efforts right NOW…
        • And when the FRUIT does not come – we assuming nothing will ever happen…
        • It can be tempting to want to STOP – thinking things will never change!
      • Do not give up…
        • We do not plant a seed – and expect there to be fruit on the branches in the morning…
        • And if we sat there and waited for the plant to grow – we would likely give up!
        • Rather than looking for the fruit – we just need to keep LABORING for Jesus…
        • As we are faithful to ABIDE in Him – in His Word…
        • In His time we will bear FRUIT – we will be used powerfully by the Lord!
        • Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not grow weary while doing good – for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
  • 3rd – Negative… vs. 4-5
    • 1st – No LOVE… vs. 4
      • Nevertheless I have this against you – that you have left your first love!
        • BUT [ἀλλά] – although the Church had done a LOT of things RIGHT…
        • They had done ONE thing WRONG – they LEFT [aorist] their first LOVE [ἀγάπη]
        • They had all the right ACTIONS – but they LOST the right MOTIVE…
        • The church in Ephesus was a GOOD church – doing all the RIGHT things…
        • But they FORGOT why they were doing them – they FORGOT about Jesus – I John 4:8
      • We should doing GOOD things as the church…
        • Reaching out to the LOST – helping those who are struggling with SIN…
        • Standing up to FALSE teachers who are LYING about the TRUTH…
        • But if we FORGET why we are doing all these things – then we have missed the POINT!
        • LOVE must be the driving motive behind everything we DO…
        • Because no matter what we DO – if it does NOT come from LOVE – it means NOTHING!
        • I Corinthians 13:1-3 – “[Even if I give all I have] to feed the poor – [and] I give my body to be burned – but do not have LOVE – it profits me nothing.”
    • 2nd – Remember… vs. 5
      • Remember therefore from where you have fallen – repent and do the first works!
        • The solution to FORGETTING – is to REMEMBER [imperative]
        • Because there was a time when the church had been MOTIVED by LOVE…
        • They needed to REPENT [imperative] – turn around – they were going the WRONG way…
        • Go back and DO [imperative] – THE [ὁ] FIRST [πρῶτος] WORK [ἔργον]
        • Go back to being motivated by the LOVE [ἀγάπη] of Jesus!
      • Heart check…
        • As a church – we need to ask – why are we doing what we do…
        • It is because that is what we did last year – or because other churches are doing it!
        • If that is the case – we need to REMEMBER – that it is not about GOOD works…
        • We need to REPENT – turn around because we are not following Jesus…
        • And we need to RETURN to the FIRST – and ONLY – WORK that matters…
        • Letting the world see the LOVE [ἀγάπη] of Jesus flowing through our lives!
        • John 13:35 – “All will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”
    • 3rd – No light… vs. 5
      • Else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent!
        • IF [εἰ] – repeated twice for emphasis – they did not REPENT…
        • Jesus would come QUICKLY – and REMOVE their LIGHT [lampstand]
        • Keep in mind – this was LITERALLY – a church started by the Apostle Paul…
        • It was HISTORICALLY – the first church that we see in the book of Acts…
        • It was the TYPE – of church that seems to be doing everything right…
        • Yet Jesus was saying – their LIGHT was in danger of going out!
      • Light to the world…
        • Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men – that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
        • The only GOOD works people need to see – is the LOVE of Jesus…
        • That is what will cause men to want to give GLORY to the FATHER – Romans 2:4
        • We do not have to look very far today – to see churches who no longer SHINE…
        • Perhaps once they burned BRIGHT – used powerfully for God…
        • But when we look at them now – they have FADED – maybe even are GONE…
        • And we are left to ask – what happened!
        • If we FORGET that our MOTIVE needs to always be to LOVE others…
        • Then our LIGHT goes out – we no longer SHINE for Jesus!

Revelation 22:14 – “Blessed are those who do His commandments – that they may have the right to the tree of life – and may enter through the gates into the city.”

4th – Encouragement… vs. 7

1st – Listen…

He who has an ear – let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!

This was NOT written just for the church in Ephesus…

It is for ANYONE who has an EAR – they MUST [imperative] LISTEN…

Because the SPIRIT of God is SPEAKING [present] to ALL churches [plural]

This LETTER is for us – Jesus is writing to us TODAY…

If we are willing to LISTEN to what His SPIRIT has to SAY…

Do not get caught up in EMPTY tradition – in DEAD religion…

Doing church just for the sake of trying to do what is GOOD…

We must remember LOVE – live in LOVE – so we can be a LIGHT to the world!

2nd – Overcome…

To him who overcomes!

This same CONCLUSION – is given to all SEVEN churches…

There are a variety of REWARDS described – but all with the same CONDITION…

OVERCOME [νικάω] – to those who have VICTORY [present]

For Ephesus – VICTORY – meant becoming a LOVING church again…

And the reward for doing that – was the TREE of LIFE! 

I will give to eat from the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God!

Those who OVERCOME – will be able to EAT from the TREE of LIFE…

The TREE that is in the middle of the GARDEN [פַּרְדֵּס] of God!

When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden…

They are freely from the TREE of LIFE – so they would NEVER die…

But when they SINNED – God removed them from the GARDEN of God – Genesis 3:22

Those who LISTEN – those who ABIDE – those who have VICTORY…

Will be once again allowed into the GARDEN of God…

We will be able to freely eat from the TREE of LIFE – in the presence of the Lord!


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