Scripture Focus: Revelation 2:1-7 – “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: “The words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. [2] “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. [3] I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. [4] But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. [5] Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. [6] Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
I. Jesus As the Overseer (1)
A. Jesus speaks to the primary leader – “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write…”
B. Jesus speaks sovereign authority – “The words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand…”
C. Jesus speaks as One who is present and active – “…who walks among the seven golden lampstands.”
II. The Ephesians as Faithful Servants (2-3, 6)
A. They were tireless workers (2a) – “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance…”
B. They were doctrinally discerning (2b) – “And how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.”
C. They were loyal and faithful (3) – “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.”
D. They were clear in where they stood (6) – “…you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
Ephesus was a stout, actively serving, courageous, loyal church positionally aligned with the mission of Jesus Christ
III. Jesus In Firm Correction (4-5)
A. Something that Jesus exposed (4) – “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
1. Had they abandoned their love for Jesus?
2. Had they abandoned their love for each other?
3. Had they abandoned their love for the Gospel mission?
B. Something that Jesus required (5) – “Remember therefore from where you have fallen, repent, and do the works you did at first.”
D. Something that Jesus promised (5c) – “If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”
IV. The Ephesians Under Motivating Instruction (7)
A. Our constant need – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
B. Our relentless pursuit – “To the one who conquers…”
C. Our unstoppable destiny – “…I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.”