THE LOVELESS CHURCH

To the Church in Ephesus

1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 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. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Sermon Outline: Christ affirms 3 ways their respectable in conduct (2:2-3, 6) and 1 serious criticism (2:4). He then gives a clear command, including His correction and counsel (2:5).

Respectable (Moral) Conduct: vs 2-3

1. Serving the Lord with endurance, your works, your toil and your patient endurance, Christ began by acknowledging their hard work in the service of God. He coupled the general word for “work” (ergon [2041]) with the more specific term for “difficult labor” or “toil” (kopos [2873]). The resulting picture is a diligent, reliable, and involved congregation. Active & Engaged!

Chuck Swindoll “Christ commends the church in Ephesus kept busy caring for the sick, sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, visiting the prisoners, and clothing widows and orphans.”

2. Discern sin and false teaching, you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles

3. Patient endurance through trials, enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary

Serious Criticism: vs. 4

Clear Command vs. 5 (including His correction and counsel)

1. Remember
2. Repent
3. Return

Final Condition: vs. 5-7