03 – Ephesus

 

 

 

We are being called back to our first love, just as the Ephesians were with the Ekklesia at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7.

 

 

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy
works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And
hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

 

Revelation 2:1-3 KJV

 

 

  • Ephesus is in Asia Minor.
  • This is a mostly positive message.
  • Christ knows the works being done in the body and by the believers.
    • He knows of our toil in Anoka.
      • Prayer and time before the throne.
      • Preparing the place of worship and ministry.
      • Ministry in the city.
    • At Ephesus, the saints could not bear them which were evil, and by discernment rejected those who were liars.
    • They bore their trials with patience and they continued to labor for the Kingdom and did not faint under the load.
      • He knows of our patient endurance.
        • Waiting on His timing for things.
        • Waiting for a move of God and the pouring out of the Spirit.
        • Waiting for those He is bringing to us.
        • Waiting for His plan for this ministry.
      • He knows we stand against evil.
        • We really don’t like evil around us.
        • Though we haven’t really tested those who call themselves apostles, there have been some who thought they had greater authority.
          • Thinking they had more voice to be heard.
        • He reassures us that He knows of our patient endurance.
        • He also knows our motivation, for His name’s sake and for the sake of the Kingdom.
        • He knows we have not grown weary, but we continue to press in.

 

 

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto
thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

 

Revelation 2:4-6 KJV

 

 

  • But they did wander from their first love and are being called and drawn back to Christ Jesus, their, and our, first love.
    • Repentance leading to godly life and works is the means of return.
    • The Ephesians did hate the hierarchal structure of the Nicolaitans.
      • The upside-down structure of the institutional church system today.
      • They too must overcome the traditions of man that have overshadowed the ways of Almighty God.
    • We can get caught up in the ministry and the work and lose track of the motivation.
      • First and foremost is loving God and Savior.
        • Worship in Spirit and Truth.
      • Repentance is essential; remember and turn back.
      • We must return to doing the works we did at first.
        • Loving the Lord; sharing the gospel; time in the Word.
      • The penalty for not doing so is severe, removal.
      • The religious hierarchal structure was not the plan of God.
        • Leaders are not to lord it over the people.
      • We walk in agreement with Him: servant leadership.

 

 

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

 

Revelation 2:7 KJV

 

 

  • As with every Ekklesia, and for every saint, there are things to overcome.
    • We all must fight the good fight and overcome the evil that has crept in over the many centuries.
    • We are being called out of the corrupt system by God Himself.
      • He calls those with ears to hear.
      • He calls on us to respond; to open the door that He may enter in.
      • He comes with rewards for those who overcome.
    • If we are aware of the ways of God, and are discerning of spiritual things, we are to be sensitive to what the Spirit is saying to us, the Ekklesia.
    • We must overcome the ways of the world and walk in His ways to receive the reward which only He can offer.

 

 

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering:
for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

 

Malachi 1:11