Theme: The letters to the Churches: What is the Lord Saying to us?
Topic: The Ephesian Church – Return to the Basics
Main Text: Revelation 2:1-7
Key verse: 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. Rev. 2:5
Introduction:
We studied this passage last quarter as part of the series on Returning to our first Love. Today, we return to the Ephesian church to learn more timeless lessons to help us grow in our love for the Lord. The seven churches to which letters were written were actual historical churches located in modern-day Turkey. They were not the only churches in that area at the time, but the seven were conveniently located on a circular trade route, which made it easier for the letters to be circulated and then dispersed throughout the province. It was common at that time for churches to circulate letters so that each could benefit from the messages. Each letter contains the phrase “let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” indicating that all the churches would read all the letters. They represent the types of churches that have existed throughout history. What Christ wrote to those churches is relevant for all times, and the core message of Christ’s letter to the Ephesians is pertinent to us—a call to return to the basics. The Bible exhorts us to examine ourselves(2Cor 13:5) occasionally and the Psalmist cries “search me, O God, and know my heart”(Ps 139:23. It is helpful to sometimes pause and re-assess ourselves and our Christian service and see if we need a course correction or a reordering of our priorities to focus on what matters most to God. If we have ears, then we must hear what the Spirit is saying, or risk building with wood, hay, and stubble (1 Cor 3:12), mistakenly thinking we are “busy” with the Lord’s work.
Q1. Read Matt 28:18; Col 1:18; Eph 1:22; Rev 1:5-6. (1a) What is the significance of Jesus’ description of Himself in verse 1? (1b) The letter is addressed to “the angel of the church of Ephesus”. What do you understand this to mean? (1c) The church is commended for hard work, endurance, discernment, and standing up to false apostles. How prevalent are those virtues in today’s churches? Give reasons for your response.
Paragraph 2:
In Ephesus, we see a church that is doing the right things yet lacks love. It is often said that love is an action, a decision, rather than an emotion or feeling. The church of Ephesus was taking the right actions: they toiled for God; they persevered and did not grow weary; they did not tolerate evil. They were morally and doctrinally pure. Yet Jesussays they “left”, not lost, their first love. There is an important distinction between leaving and losing. Losing can be accidental; leaving indicates a deliberate act, though it may not happen suddenly. When we lose something, we don’t know where to find it, but when we leave something, we know where to go to find it. The church of Ephesus had left its first love, but on the outside, everything looked fine. Fervent love for Christ had been replaced with a dry orthodoxy, a mechanical approach to their faith that looked, and probably sounded, commendably right. They evidently loved God’s Word, faithfully served Him, and hated what He hated, but it was not done out of love for Christ or each other. Real love is both action and emotion, not just one or the other. It is not cold-hearted, rote, or external. It is warm and embracing. The action is motivated by a heart of love. Doctrinal and moral purity, undiminished zeal for the truth, and disciplined service are all highly commendable and, indeed, encouraged. However, they are no substitute for love and utterly worthless without it.
Q2. Read Romans 12:9-11; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 1 Pt 4:8 (2a). Why is it not enough for a Christian to “do the right thing”? (2b) Read John 14:21,23, 1 Cor 16:22. What do these passages show about how serious the situation in the church of Ephesus was at the time of Christ’s letter? (2c) Read Luke 5:15-16; Mark 1:35, 4:35-38; John 5:19, 11:41b What can we learn from these passages about remaining in God’s love while working hard with a busy schedule and many demands?
Paragraph 3:
The church in Ephesus was in a dire situation but did not know it. They were so busy doing the Lord’s work that they had no time for the Lord of the work. Sometimes, the biggest problem in a church is finding enough people willing to do the work of the Lord with endurance, perseverance, and diligence. That may lead to just a few people working excessively hard to keep the church running. We are all called to work in the vineyard, to endure hardship like a good soldier and, when required, to suffer for the cause of Christ. However, we must guard against the temptation to make the work an end in itself, or to forget that the real work is to love the Lord, to love His people, and to reach out in love to His world. If our work is not powered by love, then it is of no eternal value.
Q3. Read Rev 2:5-7 (3a). What signs make a church, or a believer, know they are in danger of leaving their first love? (3b) What does Christ instruct the Ephesian church to do, having realized their predicament, and why? (3c) Do you have ears to hear?
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for this awakening to revisit our love relationship with you. Open our ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to us as a church. Help us to love you with a fervent love, serving you with passion, zeal, and authentic devotion always. Amen