Love

September 22, 2024
Pastor Jack

a heart with the words from the heart

Revelation 2:1-7

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: “This is what the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand says, the one who walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands: ‘I know your works, and your labor and patient endurance, and that you are not able to tolerate evil, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you found them to be false. And you have patient endurance, and have endured many things because of my name, and have not become weary. But I have this against you: that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the works you did at first. But if you do not, I am coming to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. But you do have this: that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, things which I also hate. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.’

Meanwhile, back in Ephesus…

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul has talked about love reciprocated, strategies to live a Christian life, like putting on the armor of God. About twenty years pass and we are now looking at Jesus talking to the church at Ephesus through John’s vision in Revelation.

By the way, the church of Ephesus has quite the pedigree; it was planted by Paul, pastored by Timothy, and served as the home church for John. It would seem that it has everything going for it.

Revelation 2:1 (ESV):

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.

  • What do the lampstands represent?
  • What is the significance of the phrase “…him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands”?

Revelation 2:2-3 (ESV):

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. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

  • What can we see in these verses?
  • What do you think “tested” means in this context?
  • Jack compared “patience” to “apathy”. What are your thoughts on that, especially in the context of BBC today?
  • What do you think about the dedication of the church of Ephesus?

Revelation 2:4 (ESV):

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

  • “But” … that little three-letter word might be a good study topic sometime. Why would I suggest that?
  • What does it mean to abandon love?
  • What is the motivation of the church of Ephesus? Why are they doing all the good things they are doing?
  • What should be our motivation?

Revelation 2:5 (ESV):

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.

  • What has happened in Ephesus?
  • What does it mean to repent?
  • Of what did the church need to repent?
  • What does this mean “…remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”?

Revelation 2:6 (ESV):

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

  • What does this mean (“hate the works of the Nicolaitans”)?

Revelation 2:7 (ESV):

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.

  • Church, listen!

Thoughts for Reflection

  • Church, do we need to repent?
  • Do we need to do anything differently?
  • Is everything we do, done in love, with compassion?
  • Where is modern day Ephesus?
    • How is the church there doing today?
  • If we lack love, we lack everything!
  • How much do you love?
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