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The Letter to the Church at EphesusText: Revelation 2:1-7 Introduction:
I. The city of Ephesus is located in Asia Minor.
A. The city of Ephesus:
1. is noted for its location.
a. its harbor.
b. it has roads leading to all the cities in
Asia.
2. it was a big commercial center.
3. the temple of Diana.
B. AS a result, its influence was very great.
II. The history of the church at Ephesus.
A. As far as I know, Paul started the church on his
second missionary journey. Acts 18:19-21.
B. On his third journey, Paul spent at least 2 years
in Ephesus. Acts 19
C. During Paul’s first imprisonment, he wrote a letter
to them.
D. In between Paul’s two imprisonment, he left Timothy
in Ephesus…
E. According to tradition, the apostle John stayed in
Ephesus before his banishment to the island of
Patmos.
III. Read Text.
Body:
I. The author of the letter.
A. The author is Jesus Christ.
1. Read 2:1 and compare with 1:12-16.
2. This can only be Jesus Christ.
B. He knew everything about the church at Ephesus.
1. “Walketh in the midst of the seven
candlesticks.”
2. He is deity.
a. John 1:1
b. Psalm 139:7-13
c. Hebrews 4:13
3. “I know” (oida oida): Full and complete
knowledge.
C. He knows everything about the church here…
II. The Positive Characteristics of the church at Ephesus.
A. It was doctrinal pure.
1. There were doctrinal pure in the following area:
a. The could not bear them which are evil. This
would mean excising proper discipline (which
involves both proper teaching and
withdrawal).
b. Some would criticize this, but the Lord
commends them.
2. They had tried those who said that they were
apostles.
a. 1 John 4:1; Matthew 7:15-16.
b. Some might say that they were being bigoted
and narrowed-mined.
3. They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans.
4. Is the church here at Big Spring doctrinal pure?
a. We must be whatever the cost.
b. James 3:17.
B. They were a working, active church. Three areas of
work:
1. The word “labor” implies “diligent labor,
exhaustive labor or weary labor.” The church in
Ephesus was not just a working church that
fulfilled a minimum of responsibility, but one
that toiled, worked unto weariness. It was not,
as many churches are today, merely content with
keeping house for the Lord, with its activity
limited to churchgoing. Its members knew what
it was to suffer actual fatigue in their work
for Christ. Obviously, they strenuously labored
to lead souls to Christ.
2. Evangelism – 1 Thessalonians 1:8
3. Edification – Ephesians 4:16
4. Benevolence (the care of needy saints) – 1
Corinthians 16:1
5. No Social and/or recreation
6. Are we a working, active church?
C. “Patience” – reveals the attitude of persistence in
the toil that produces works.
III. The problem at the church at Ephesus.
A. They had left their first love. (Only one thing
wrong, but very serious – heart trouble. Cf. James
2:10-11.)
1. Although they were doctrinally pure and a
working, active church that is not enough.
2. They were doing it without love.
3. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
B. The cure – Repent (start loving again)
1. The three R’s
2. Remember – Cf. Luke 15:17-18
3. Repent
4. Return
C. The result.
1. If they repented:
a. as a whole the church would still be faithful
and keep its candlestick.
b. individually – they could get to eat of the
tree of life.
2. If they did not repent:
a. as a whole the church would have its
candlestick removed and no longer be
faithful.
b. individually – they would be lost forever.
D. Has the church here left its first love?
1. Is there anything else wrong with this church?
2. If so, we need to repent and change.
3. or, else the church will not be faithful.
4. Oh, may still have the “church of Christ”
outside (like Ephesus).
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