The Loveless Church: Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7 “There is a sense in which by addressing these seven churches, John has representatively addressed all churches. This impression is strengthened by the refrain that concludes each of the seven letters: ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). - James Hamilton, Revelation What’s right in the church? I know your deeds. (2:2) Your labor. Your perseverance. You cannot tolerate evil people. You tested so called, “apostles.” You put out false apostles. You have perseverance. (2:3) You have endured on account of My name. You have not become weary. You hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans. (6) • The church in Ephesus got a high score from Jesus! 10 out of 10! • Thirty years earlier, Paul gave the Ephesian elders this admonition: Acts 20:29 (NASB), “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore, be on the alert.” • For decades the church in Ephesus was ever on the alert, exercising great discernment and keeping the wolves away from the sheep. • All is good, until Jesus says, “But.” 2. What’s wrong in the church? “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (2:4) • The church in Ephesus was doing great things for Jesus but they failed in loving Jesus like they once did! • This church was busy on the outside, but leaking oil on the inside – leaking in love for Christ, and that is as serious as it gets. • Jesus puts his finger on the biggest spiritual problem you and I will ever experience, “… leaving our first love for Christ.” • Leaving our first love means breaking the first and greatest commandment: • Mark 12:30 (NASB), “… ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” • The greatest commandment is a first love command. • Matthew 24:11 (NASB), “… many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. 12 And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.” • Jesus warns us that the spiritual battle in these last days will be a battle for your heart, for your first love. 3. What does Jesus say to do? Rev. 2:5 “...remember from where you have fallen” Rev. 2:5, “...and repent” Rev. 2:5 “...do the deeds you did at first” • The problem in Ephesus was not doing too much, but not doing what they did at first. • There is a connection between first love and first doing. • Whatever they did when they first loved Christ, they needed to start doing again. Greg Beale, “This probably means they had lost their passion for the message of the gospel. Their focus was on maintaining the inward purity of the church, for which they are commended, so the rebuke must deal with their focus toward the outside world.” • In Revelation, the churches are described first as lampstands! • I think the church in Ephesus had become a bunker. • In their efforts to protect the church, they failed to be a light and witness. • Jesus said, “Don’t put a lamp under a basket.” • Don’t be a love-less Christian. • Don’t be a light-less Church. 4. A concluding warning & promise. Revelation 2:5, “...or else I am coming to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent… 7 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” • If the church does not remember, repent, and repeat what they first did when they first loved, Jesus will I will remove their lampstand from its place. • This promise for those who return to their first love is to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. CONCLUSION: “The main point of these seven letters goes like this: For the glory of God, Jesus charges the churches to be zealous for the gospel, reject false teaching, and live in a manner that corresponds to the gospel.” - James Hamilton, Revelation