The Church In EphesusRev. 2:1-7

The Church In Ephesus

• The Lord starts out by establishing His authority (Rev. 2:1)– “Theses things says He who holds the

seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands…”

– Rev. 1:20—He has all authority in these churches. He knows the works and heart of each individual member.

The Church In Ephesus• The Lord commends them for many

things (Rev. 2:2-3, 6)– They have labored diligently and done

many works for the Lord’s name (vs. 2-3)– They have tested the words preached to

them and not tolerated false teaching (vs. 2)

– They have been patient and persevered, not growing weary in their work for the Lord (vs. 2-3)

– They hate sin, just like the Lord does (vs. 6)

The Church In Ephesus

• Despite all this, they are still in danger of having their lampstand removed (Rev. 2:4-5)– They are in need of repentance (vs. 5)– They need to return to their “first love”

and “first works” (vs. 4-5)

• What exactly was their “first love”?• What did the “first works” involve?

The Church In Ephesus

• They had lost their first love for God– This is the first and greatest command

(Matt. 22:35-38)– This is the same trap the Pharisees had

fallen into (Luke 11:37-42; John 5:39-42)

– God does not just desire obedience; He desires obedience motivated by love (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; Matt. 22:37-40)

The Church In Ephesus

• They had lost their first love for one another– The love of God manifests itself in our

love for the brethren (1 John 4:7-8, 11-12, 20-21)

– God’s word puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of our love for one another (Matt. 22:37-40; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8; 1 Pet. 4:8)

– Our love for one another is intended to distinguish us from the world (John 13:34-35)

The Church In Ephesus

• They had lost their first love for lost souls–We need to look at lost souls the way

that God looks at them (2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 18:32; 1 Tim. 2:3-4)

–We need to view them as souls condemned to death (James 5:19-20)

The Church In Ephesus

• They had lost their first love for lost souls–We need to look at lost souls the way

that God looks at them (2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 18:32; 1 Tim. 2:3-4)

–We need to view them as souls condemned to death (James 5:19-20)

– Evangelizing to the lost is part of loving your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:25-37)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…” (Rev. 2:7)

The Church In Ephesus

Have You Lost Your First Love?

The Church In Ephesus