The Church at Ephesus
Lesson 4
Text:
Revelation 2:1-7
Verse 1
As Jesus is moving among the congregations and watching over them,
He knows what is going on in every Christian’s life as well as in
each of the congregations. (John
2:24-25) Congregations, Christians, are gold (precious) because
they were purchased with Jesus’ own blood. (Acts
20:28) We must shine as lights in the world holding fast the
Word of Life. (Philippians
2:14-15)
Verses 2-3
A great commendation was given to the congregation at Ephesus. They
had practiced discipline, worked hard serving God in many ways,
suffered hardships, and had sacrificed, not giving up. They had
put false teachers to the test. (I
John 4:1) Christ honored them for all these things. These were
both good and necessary.
Verse 4
But there was a problem! Notice
Revelation 2:23. They had left their first love. This might
include two or three things. They were giving Christ their service,
but not giving Him themselves. (II
Corinthians 8:5) The love, passion and devotion which had
characterized them as new converts had now grown cold. This is
similar to Matthew 24:12.
Once they had poured out their hearts in fervent love for Christ,
but no more. They were still worshiping, studying, etc. but their
heart wasn’t in it. Also, possibly they had lost their love for
soul-winning, their passion for saving sinners. (John
4:34-35) We must let the light of the gospel shine. (II
Corinthians 4:3-4)
Verse 5
Remember your initial love and devotion. Call to mind your
evangelistic zeal. Repent and do the first works. Or else they
would be removed and no longer considered by Jesus as one of His
congregations. Just calling ourselves a “church of Christ” doesn’t
make us one! He would come “in judgment” upon them.
Verse 6
Anything God hates; we should hate also. (Proverbs
6:16-19) “Abhor what is evil.” (Romans
12:9, Hebrews 1:9)
Verse 7
There will be a reward for those who overcome. The Garden of Eden,
a paradise, had a tree of life. Now it has been restored in Heaven,
a Paradise. (Revelation 22:1-2,
14)
Bobby Stafford
