Entitled this series Things are not as they seem. Revelation wants to help us see reality in light...

Entitled this series

“Things are not as they seem.”

Revelation wants to help us see reality in light of an unseen future and a present

reality seen only with the eyes of faith.

This series will be based largely on Darrell Johnson’s book, Discipleship on the Edge.

Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love

Ephesus

What is this

political cartoon saying?


Ephesus

Why are we looking at political cartoons in church?

How does it relate to understanding the Revelation of Jesus?

Picture to comment on reality.Symbolic – animals represent people,

etcYou can interpret the image when you

know the context.


Ephesus

Last time we explored the image of Jesus in Rev. 1:12-14:

“And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes

were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound

of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-

edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”

What is this image telling us?


Ephesus

Where is Jesus located in relation to the 7 churches? Above?

NoBelow?

NoAmong the 7 churches!!!What does that tell you?


Ephesus

This morning we continue in Revelation to hear the first message to the churches

– to Ephesus.

You will note that each message begins with part of the description of Jesus from Rev. 1.


Ephesus

Scripture Reading

Revelation 2:1-7


Ephesus

I think if you were looking for a church,

you would probably have liked the church in Ephesus.

This was a happening church.

Christ, who knows his churches, commends them.


Ephesus

“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.”


Ephesus

This was a hard working church.

Persevered against opposition.

Disciplined its members well.

Spiritually discerning church.


Ephesus

But we are getting ahead of ourselves.

In Revelation 2 & 3 we read of Jesus’ messages to 7 churches.

7 = completeness


Ephesus

Seven real historical churches


Ephesus

Similar to “royal edicts” sent out by Roman governors to local

municipalities.-“I know”- words of praise- area of criticism- consequences of not changing- promises if they change


Ephesus

About Ephesus- 4th largest city [225,000 pop]- financial center of ancient world- famous for temple to Artemis [Diana] goddess of fertility- her temple on of the 7 wonders of the world- had temple for emperor worship- Amphitheater seated 24,000


Ephesus

Church in Ephesus- Begun by Paul & Pricilla & Aquila- Paul came back for 2 ½ years- Kicked out because of Converts not buying Diana statues- Left Timothy who was later murdered- John took over as pastor- Became most influential church

-Jerusalem -> Antioch -> Ephesus -> Rome


Ephesus

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:” v.1

Written to the angel of the church

Angel = 1. angel2. Preacher [messenger]

3. The “spirit” of the church

To be heard by the church itself.


Ephesus

“These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among

the seven golden lampstands: 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. vv.1-3


Ephesus

Yet I hold this against you:

You have forsaken your first love.”


Ephesus

“He who holds the angels in his right hand, walks among the churches,

knows the real condition of our souls, sees through all the activity, all the patience, all the orthodoxy – he tells

the church that it is flawed at the center. The church has everything

except the one thing Jesus deserves. ‘I have this against you, you have left

your first love.’” Johnson, p. 57


Ephesus

First love is the love experienced when people fall in love.

First love is like what you felt when you first realized that God loved you and sent Jesus to die

for you.


Ephesus

“Jesus says that for all of their hard work, patient endurance and orthodoxy the Ephesians were no longer “in love” with

him. Affection and intimacy were gone.” Johnson. p.57


Ephesus

I fell in love with Sandra at college-Would look at her for hours- Wanted to be with her

- Took long walks- Had long talks

- Wrote long letters to her- Read her letters again and again


Ephesus

I fell in love with Jesus -Overwhelmed by his love and

grace to me- loved to sing his praise for

hours- loved studying his Word

- wanted to live my life for him


Ephesus

“I have this against you, you have left your first love.”

“But Lord, I am working hard for the church.”

“I know but you have lost your first love.”

“But Lord, I came out on the front lines, securing beachheads for the kingdom.”

“I know. Thanks you, But you have lost the attentiveness, the tenderness, the extravagance of your first love.”

Johnson, p.60


Ephesus

You have left your first love.

Happens in marriages.Happens in friendships.Happens in discipleship.


Ephesus

What can we do?

Three things1. Remember

2. Repent3. Return


Ephesus

“Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” v. 5

Remember- Remember what it was like at first- Recognize our condition- Admit it to ourselves and him


Ephesus


Repent- confess that we have been in love with other things- turn around – radical u-turn- changing habits and schedules- Admit it to ourselves and him


Ephesus


Return - Re-do what you first did- Restore the romance in you relationship with Jesus- you are his bride, he desires our love


Ephesus

The message to the church in Ephesus ends with a warning and

a promise:“If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 7He 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.” vv.5,7


Ephesus

“If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. V.5

Then you are a church without the light.

Hollowed out shell


Ephesus

As we seek God’s direction for our church,

as we seek to be the kind of light in our community God wants us

to be,what do we need to hear from

Jesus’ message to the church in Ephesus?


Ephesus

Without our first love for Jesus our lamp will not be bright.

Without our first love for Jesus our work for the church will be drudgery and attract no one.


Ephesus

“The great Son of Man is with us even now; moving among us,

calling his bride-to-be into the dance of affection and intimacy.

He stands before each of us right now.

What is he saying to you? How do you respond?”

Johnson, p.62


Ephesus

Entitled this series Things are not as they seem. Revelation wants to help us see reality in light...

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