This morning I am teaching what I believe to be a much-needed word in season from the Risen Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ. We will be looking at the message that Jesus sent to the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7). This is the church that Paul founded, by the grace and direction of God, as recorded in chapter 19 of the book of Acts. He stayed there for three years, ministering to the disciples. Timothy, Tychicus, and the apostle John also served in this church. So it goes without saying that they were a well-taught, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled congregation. This letter, dictated by The Risen Lord to the apostle John, was written about 30 years after Paul wrote the epistle to the Ephesians.
As we will see, by outward appearances this was a hard-working and persevering congregation. They maintained church discipline when necessary. They held their ground against those who claimed to be apostles but were in fact wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus gave them quite a commendation for all that they were doing for His Name’s sake.
But there was one serious issue that was threatening to keep this congregation from being a vessel fit for The Master’s use. They had left their first love for Him. They were orthodox in their theology and practice, but they appeared to be in love with what they were doing instead of doing what they were doing out of a love for Jesus Christ. Their love for The Lord Jesus Christ was no longer the blazing center behind all that they did. Jesus tells them that if they did not remember where they had fallen from, repent of their sin and return to that place of doing all that they did because they loved Him, He would remove His presence.
Beloved, The Lord of Glory knows what we do and why we do it. May we hear what The Spirit saith unto the churches.
