THE CHURCH THAT QUIT LOVING JESUS (1 OF 7)
Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7
This content is part of a series.
The Church That Quit Loving Jesus (1 of 7)
Series: The 7 Churches of Revelation
Richard A. Bradley
Revelation 2:1-7
Revelation 2:1-7
1 ''To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 ''I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent.
6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 ''He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.'''
NKJV
Some have described the church at Ephesus as a loveless church. We should note that Jesus never said that. Those who are truly loveless are few and far between. Everyone loves something or someone; themselves if nothing else. Jesus didn't say they were loveless only that their love of Christ was no longer the primary motivating factor in their lives and ministries. They were doing what they did for less than the best of reasons.
Ephesus was not a perfect church but then show me one if you can. There are no perfect churches because there are no perfect church members and certainly no perfect preachers. This church had a lot going for it and by today's standards would have been a church most pastors would have fought over. Notice some of the pleasing characteristics of this church:
Ephesus was a working church. It ...
Series: The 7 Churches of Revelation
Richard A. Bradley
Revelation 2:1-7
Revelation 2:1-7
1 ''To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 ''I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent.
6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 ''He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.'''
NKJV
Some have described the church at Ephesus as a loveless church. We should note that Jesus never said that. Those who are truly loveless are few and far between. Everyone loves something or someone; themselves if nothing else. Jesus didn't say they were loveless only that their love of Christ was no longer the primary motivating factor in their lives and ministries. They were doing what they did for less than the best of reasons.
Ephesus was not a perfect church but then show me one if you can. There are no perfect churches because there are no perfect church members and certainly no perfect preachers. This church had a lot going for it and by today's standards would have been a church most pastors would have fought over. Notice some of the pleasing characteristics of this church:
Ephesus was a working church. It ...
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