January 17, 2010 Pastor Scott Snowden
On the one hand,… but on the other…
a Progress Report from Jesus…
#2. To the angel of the church in Ephesus write…
Revelation 2:1
The first letter is addressed to the church in Ephesus. This was the cosmopolitan economic and political hub of Asia Minor. While not the official capitol, its port was the gateway to Asia and therefore hosted its share of Big Dogs. It was also the seat of the Artemis fertility cult, the site of a temple dedicated to her. In this environment, God’s people had equal amounts of opportunity and temptation. In many ways, Ephesus was like us here in Silicon Valley.
“These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand
and walks among the seven golden lampstands:…”
Revelation 2:1
- The starsare the preachers/teaching elders assigned to the various congregations.
- They are in His right hand, that is, _JESUS_ directs what they are to say to the people under their (His) care. They are answerable to Him for the content of their messages.
- That He walks among the lampstands reveals that He is no _DISINTERESTED_ spectator, but an _ACTIVE_ participant in the life of the congregation.
- You’ve got this going for you…
- His general encouragement…
“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.
I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men,
that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not,
and have found them false.
You have persevered and have endured hardships for My name,
and have not grown weary.”
Revelation 2:2, 3
- A church that serves and ministers _FAITHFULLY_, with no thought of quitting is deserving of His praise!
- A church that does the _LITTLE_THINGS_ that don’t often get noticed or rewarded is deserving of His praise!
- A church that upholds God’s standard of moral _PURITY_ and _EXCELLENCE_ is deserving of His praise!
- A church that looks to _GOD’S_WORD_ for the Truth, and maintains its _SOUND_DOCTRINE_ is deserving of His praise!
- His specific commendation.
“But you have this in your favor:
You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
Revelation 2:6
- The Nicolaitans were an obscure group that promoted a “ _TOLERANCE_” of sinful behavior.
- A church that is compassionate enough to call sin by its name and lead sinners to _REPENTANCE_ is deserving of His praise!
*** Notice that Jesus (and the church)
hate the practices, not the people!
- but here is an area of growth for you…
“Yet I hold this against you:
You have forsaken your first love.
Revelation 2:4, 5
- Is my love for God (worship) expressed with the genuine emotion and gratitude I had when God’s grace was still _FRESH_IN_MY_HEART_?
- Is my love for men (benevolence and ministry) an extension of Jesus’ own _LIFE_&_MINISTRY_,not merely an embittering obligation or self-serving charity?
- Does my love of the truth (sound doctrine) flow from an appreciation of the _ONE_WHO_IS_THE_TRUTH_, and not from a critical and judgmental legalism?
- and here’s how to receive the blessing that waits for you…
“Remember the heights from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first.
If you do not repent,
I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life,
which is in the Paradise of God.”
Revelation 2:7
- Re _CALL_- remember what it felt like to be forgiven, to have all the guilt and shame washed away!
- Re _PENT_- make the necessary changes in my attitudes and conduct.
- Re _NEW_- start fresh, with a new dedication to and anticipation about the life of faith Jesus has called me into!
- Re _JOICE_- be aware and ever grateful that the victory is mine because of what Jesus has done for me!
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