Seven Churches(1): Message to Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7 I. Introduction. A. John was instructed by God to write letters to seven churches. 1. These congregations could have been typical of all churches. 2. There were some good and righteous conditions; there were some at the opposite extreme. 3. The problems(and accomplishments) could be indicative of churches since that time. B. The Lord said he would remove the candlestick of one, make war against one, come as a thief against one, and spew one out of his mouth. 1. The Lord had nothing to say against two of them. 2. There was a mixed reaction from God about another one. C. The first addressed: Ephesus. 1. Read Revelation 2:1-7. 2. All are addressed to an angel(messenger). III. Body. The message to Ephesus... A. The knowledge of God: V. 1-3. 1. The Lord was in a position to know them. a. He knows us--the congregation. b. He also knows us as individuals. 2. The Lord knew what they were doing in His service. a. How hard they worked(toiled). b. He knew of their patience(endurance). 3. The church could not bear evil men or false apostles. a. How identified? "try them" b. Calling one a teacher of righteousness does not make such! c. John warned: II John 9-11. d. Never approve teachers of error. 4. The Lord knew they had not grown weary. a. Easy to do. b. Written to them: Ephesians 6:10-11. B. A problem: v. 4. 1. Not as zealous and enthusiastic as had been. 2. Their earlier reputation: Ephesians 1:15. 3. Paul encouraged the Galatians: Galatians 6:9("stop getting tired of doing good"). 4. Can happen to a Christian; can happen to a church. 5. Perhaps a church influenced by magnificence of the city and its people. 6. Their enthusiasm was gone: they needed to rekindle it. 7. Unfortunately, to our knowledge--there is no congregation now in Ephesus. C. The result: v. 5a. 1. Needed to reflect on past effort and dedication and restore such. 2. Do not live in the past; learn from the past. 3. Remember the attitude of the elders from this church: Acts 20:36-38. 4. Now they needed to remember what Paul taught them and the feelings they had toward that apostle. D. The warning: v. 5b. 1. They would lose their identity if they did not change. 2. Repent: change your direction! 3. They were snuffing out the light. 4. Even among the elders: Acts 20:29. 5. A return to the word was the route to take: Acts 20:32. 6. "Remember...repent...return." E. A commendation: v. 6. 1. Ephesus tested false teachers. 2. The standard: God's word(scriptures). 3. Do not know the doctrine: but it was found false when examined. a. Perhaps soft on idolatry and immorality. b. Tried to justify sinful habits? 4. Paul to Timothy: I Timothy 1:3-4. F. The Lord wanted their attention: v. 7a. 1. Had not given up on them. 2. They needed to receive proper instruction. 3. It pays to listen--especially to the truth. 4. Note: Hebrews 2:1. 5. Jesus said: Matthew 11:15. G. God's promise: v. 7b. 1. For every effort in God's service, there is a reward. 2. The Lord offers many opportunities. 3. The Lord has conditions: "him that overcometh"(the overcomers?). 4. Ephesus, do not surrender. 5. To this church, Paul wrote: Ephesians 6:10-17. 6. The tree of life waited: they had to reach the Paradise of God to partake. 7. They needed "victory over circumstances." 8. The Lord promised them approval when they stood firm in the gospel. III. Conclusion. A. Ephesus may be like many churches of our day. B. The Lord promised them approval when they stood firm in the truth of God's word.-jy