The LOVELESS church

• 1^st – Introduction… vs. 1
  • 1^st – 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!
        
  • 2^nd – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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!
  • 4^th – 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!

• 2^nd – Positive… vs. 2-3
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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.”
  • 3^rd – 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.”
  • 4^th – 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.”

• 3^rd – Negative… vs. 4-5
  • 1^st – 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.”
  • 2^nd – 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.”
  • 3^rd – 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.”

4^th – Encouragement… vs. 7

1^st – 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!

2^nd – 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!