Ephesians 7? - [Revelation 2:1-7]

As you know last week was Resurrection Sunday, but prior to that we had 12 sermons in the book of Ephesians. Kind of a little foretaste of Ephesians so that you might want to study it more on your own.

Two sermons per chapter and we finished Ephesians in 12 weeks my flesh wants to say I told you I could do it. But today I'd like to preach something else and I've entitled the sermon Ephesians 7 question mark.

I've already received some emails from some of you quoting Revelation 22 about adding to the book. Thank you for that. I preached to an astute congregation. And so today isn't strictly speaking Ephesians 7 because there's no such thing.

But something else was written to the church at Ephesus. Of course Paul preached there for three years. Timothy was there. John was there. Paul himself, of course was there. Preaching Ephesians 1 to 6 is important.

Yes, but there's a follow-up to Ephesians. There's a PS to Ephesians and I think you know where that is. Now, where is it found? Revelation chapter 2 verses 1 to 7 and so today we're going to look at this representative church the church at Ephesus the lost love church of Revelation chapter 2 verses 1 to 7.

Revelation as the Uncovering of Jesus Christ

Revelation 2 and 3. Have letters from Jesus to local churches. It is literally like Jesus would see our church. He would see you he would see me and write us a letter. He would commend and he would also talk about rebuking when Necessary and I wonder as of course every pastor who preaches this says to the congregation of himself if Jesus were to write a letter to Bethlehem Bible Church 2022 what would he say about us?

What would the strengths be? What would the weaknesses be? In matter of fact, we'll learn from this passage in Revelation 2. Jesus is fully aware of the church. He knows exactly what's going on. It's his church.

He's died for this church. He's building this church. The Spirit of God is sanctifying this church and and he knows and we come to the book of Revelation because I wanted to follow up with the church at Ephesus because in many ways near congregation, she's just like Us.

There are seven letters in chapters 2 and 3 and they're representative churches. You could look at these churches throughout all time not just for them in particular in 90 AD, although that's true. But if you just back up a little bit, you'll see throughout the centuries.

Oh, I see that in that church and I see this strength in that church representative churches. This is a book that reveals Jesus Christ and of course Jesus is concerned about his bride the church. Later on this book.

We'll talk about Jesus as the Son of God the Holy and True One the Amen the faithful and true witness the Lion of the tribe of Judah the Lamb in heaven the Lamb on the throne the Messiah that will rule forever the Word of God the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the bright and more the bright morning star and the root and offspring of David.

This is a book if you look at chapter 1 verse 1 that reveals Jesus that uncovers him that Shows us who he is the revelation or the uncovering or the apocalypse of the Lord Jesus. People either love this book or they hate it.

They love it, especially when they first get saved and they realize here's who this Jesus is and I'm glad I'm safe when he returns. But other people read it who aren't Christians and they're frightened by the book rightfully.

So Genesis starts off with a lot of sorrow and death. Does it not in chapter 3 and pain and sin and tears and revelation ends With God wiping tears away Dealing with sin giving it the ultimate death blow.

Revelation 1 and the Message to Ephesus

So what we're going to do today is we're going to have a little bit of intro in Revelation 1 and then we're gonna work through Ephesians 2 sorry I Knew I'd do that. Ephesians 7 a la Revelation 2 1 to 7 one of the great things about this church is we have a crack editing team for the live stream.

I appreciate that. We should be on like a five second delay or something. We're gonna go over Revelation 2 1 to 7 this representative church. And I think there's much for us to learn because I think our strengths Line up with some of their strengths and our potential weakness lines up with their weakness.

But first Revelation 1 1 the revelation or uncovering of Jesus Christ. Which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to the servant John.

This is the uncovering. This is the revealing. This is so that you get a clear view of what's going to happen about Jesus and of course in the future I wear glasses and without them. I don't have 20 -20 vision.

I'm looking at the Old Testament with lots of Types and shadows and illusions about Jesus a second coming and now when I put the glasses on of Revelation. It's much more clear. That's the purpose of the book.

The revelation of the Lord Jesus not a sealed book like Daniel talked about having the book sealed. But this is a book that must not be sealed up. Revelation 22. Because the time is near the New Testament.

Over and over and over was anticipating this great time of the book of Revelation second Thessalonians 1 to give relief to you who are afflicted and To us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire.

When in fact this will take place in the future the Lord Jesus coming Back, and he wants us to know do you see to show his bond servants? So we've got from God the Father to Christ to angels to us to show his bond servants the things which must shortly take place.

By the way when these things start happening they take place quickly things that must soon take place. The idea isn't necessarily it could be tomorrow although it could be the idea is once this starts happening.

It's rapid it's where we get the word techie techie cardia where it's the heart isn't going to start beating soon. It's going to start beating what? Rapidly so once this these end times start. They are going to happen very very very fast.

Verse 2 who bore witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ even to all that he saw. So we see from God to Christ to angels to John now to us and We get this beatitude in verse 3 a wonderful beatitude one of seven in the book of Revelation.

You think with all the Lord Jesus coming back and the fire and the brimstone and everything else is there a curse only to be found? No, seven blessings. Here's the first one. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and Blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it for the time is near.

Later the book of Revelation will talk about blessing this way. Blessed is the one who stays awake. Keeping his garments on behold. I'm coming like a thief. Blessed are those who invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book and he starts off with this great Blessing and then we come to the great triune.

Salutation in verses 4 5 6. John to the seven churches that are in Asia. Grace to you. There's your Greek Greek greeting. Peace to Shalom. There's the Hebrew greeting from him who is. And it was and it was to come this eternal God and from the seven spirits who are before his throne the Holy Spirit and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness the firstborn of the dead and to the rulers.

Excuse me and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom. Priest to his God and Father to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

Here John is writing. Yes, of course if people aren't going to trust in Jesus. They should be afraid but he's also writing to encourage and to comfort his Saints the people back in the day with this was happening and in our day to overseas, especially Christians are getting persecuted.

Christians are getting General persecution and literal persecution specific persecution and he wants to encourage them. From where does he write this verse 9 if you'll skip down to their I John your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom.

And patient endurance that are in Jesus. I mean Jesus knows exactly what it's like to go through tribulation and to endure. Was on the island called Patmos on account of the Word of God in the testimony of Jesus.

Remember instead of getting killed for his testimony about the Lord Jesus John is exiled to this place. That's essentially the size of the Sea of Galilee this island. Have you been to Patmos before? Some of us have been to Patmos.

I remember going there and I went to st John's Church st. John of the Revelations Church, and I was told not to videotape anything. So, of course, I understand what law does I got the phone out? I turned video on.

I just went through the entire tour like this because I Thought John the book of Revelation was the uncovering are the unveiling so nothing should be hidden. Rocky Island Barren Island Desert Island almost.

It's where you put prisoners. Verse 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day Sunday the day that Jesus was Raised the day that Jesus was ascended and I heard behind me a voice like a trumpet. Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches.

Closest big place would be Ephesus from Patmos and then you just follow these cities. Through Turkey, it would be like a postal route. This was like driving up 495 and and first you hit Lowell and then you hit etc Etc working your way all the way up.

Right to write what you see in a book send it the seven churches to Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis to Philadelphia and Latter-day. See you and he's gonna be writing about verse 18 and the living one.

Jesus said I died and behold, I'm alive forevermore and I have the keys of death and Hades. Without Jesus's resurrection. None of this matters. How is he going to come back to Revelation if he's still dead in a grave?

The Church at Ephesus in Its Historical Setting

So we come to chapter 2 verses 1 through 7 in the book of Revelation. That's talking about the church at Ephesus. So here's what kind of what's going on timeline wise. Paul gets saved in the Damascus Road.

About 25 years later. He writes to the Ephesian Church Ephesians 1 through 6. And now about three or four decades later poverty probably closer to four decades later John writes a letter to Ephesus. They've been instructed well by Paul.

He's been there. Timothy has been there been a lot of good pastors there. Can you imagine having your the last three pastors you had David Martin Lloyd-Jones S Lewis Johnson and James Montgomery Boyce.

Something like that and you think well-taught they understand and so 40 years after Paul writes the book of Ephesians they get this letter from the Lord Jesus and with most of these letters in chapters 2 3.

They kind of follow a same pattern. There's some things to be praised in most there's something to work on some sin. And then some promise and this one does that exact same thing this representative church which would Tell us even a lot today representative church 1 Ephesus mail stop 1 verse 1.

To the angel of the church in Ephesus, right? The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand who walks among the seven golden lampstands. And he's writing to this place called Ephesus. Did you know Ephesus used to be called the vanity fair of Asia?

Did you know there was this goddess there? Her name was Diana and they had all these pillars. It was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Do you know it was a seaport? What happens with seaport towns you can just imagine.

Everything that the world offered with all its negative aspects was here at Ephesus. How can a church live in a place that's just full of sin saturated with just sleaziness in every way? Occult arts going on.

You think if a church was there they better be ready to have spiritual discernment and understand what's happening. This place was wicked this place was vile and Paul excuse me. John is writing to them by the ministry of the Spirit.

And 40 years later There's still a church that they've survived that long. I Mean it wouldn't take very long to see this gross Statue of Diana. I won't even describe her because she's so gross. Just think fertility goddess.

It is said when the sailors from the Aegean Sea looked at it from a distance. They could see this temple goddess from their boats. They felt secure. Oh, she's there. She's alive. She's going to take care of us the sailors.

And so we're gonna see warning. We're going to see comfort. We're gonna see commendation. We're gonna see criticism and then we're going to see a promise. I Want you to notice what he praises. Jesus praises this church for but first Let me tell you what he's not praising the church for he's not praising the church for a rocking worship band.

It's just not there. He's not praising them for cool blue lights and fog machines. Not they're great PowerPoint sermons pastor. Great theater gate. Great drama. Tongue-in-cheek. Yes, I'm saying that but I want you to notice what he's not commending them for but what he is.

When you read the Bible say to yourself, what is being said and what is not being said? What would commend? Ephesians Church to their head and their Savior the Lord Jesus. Here comes the praise. What if Jesus praised us in this way Bethlehem Bible Church?

Here's what he said Ephesus verse 2 and The outline simple today praise prodding and promise. I know your works. Your toil and your patience or 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. The first thing I want you to recognize there Jesus knows. What's the text say? I know your works. Of course, Jesus's body is in heaven.

His humanity is of the right hand of the Father. His deity is omnipresent and He knows he's not a faraway God. He's close he knows I could say it for Bethlehem Bible Church. Jesus Christ knows exactly what's going on at Bethlehem Bible Church.

Should make us pause it should make us. On one side be very very careful with what we do on the other side be very very encouraged that he knows. Earlier it talked about Jesus with eyes of like flaming fire in chapter 1 those laser like eyes those Accurate x-ray like eyes.

He knows what's happening in a local church. Complete knowledge. Not like I learned something new. No, I understand completely and he says quite a few positive things. Does he not. I know your works toil patient endurance not bearing with evil and testing false Apostles.

Are those good things? Would you like to get a letter from Jesus saying way to go church? I'd love to get that kind of letter. Nothing escapes the eyes of Jesus. He understands motives. Understands deeds.

Am I just doing it externally with duty or is it from the heart? He knows it all. And the first thing he says praise you Ephesus for and of course, these would be all the results of grace. We know that but still they're done by the people and God the Son encourages them for their deeds or for their works.

Not just a work. That's just work once in a while, but for your works. Does this not remind you of Ephesians 2 for we are his what? workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus unto good works and that's exactly what's happened.

God has ordained good works for every Christian to do and this church is walking in them and the Lord Commends them not only that toil. This word toil means to work so hard you sweat. If you ever worked at Bethlehem Bible Church so hard that you had to sweat.

I mean outside the nursery. By the way, thank you nursery workers. I could not do what I do without you. So, thank you very much. And by the way parents when you drop off your children, I hope you say Thank you for watching my children in preschool and in nursery.

Also, there's perseverance. There's persecution there's difficulty. It's not easy to be a Christian in Ephesus or any other place, but they've been enduring that they're there. They're decade after decade after decade persevering.

They've been faithful to the Lord Jesus they have not said like Sardis we're dead we don't care. No, they're doing good works. They have ministries every member of ministry. They're doing things. And not only that they're good discerners and You put to the test those who call themselves Apostles.

There are false teachers everywhere there are false teachers in four of these seven churches in chapters two and three of the book of Revelation and Some people are running around saying they're apostles.

I've met people that have called themselves apostles now to be an apostle capital a you you have to have seen the risen Jesus he's breathed out his Holy Spirit on them but you know what it would be very very wonderful if Someone thought they had the ability to be apostle because they would think to themselves with that comes authority.

Right if I'm an apostle I mean elder Schmelder pastor I mean big deal, but if I was an apostle I would have all the authority of Jesus Christ to tell you things. I could speak the word and that word would even be Revelation or having the same power as Revelation and so there are people they want to get a following instead of pointing them to the all-caps Apostle Jesus the ultimate set one instead of having the entire ministry saying it's all about Jesus.

It's all about Jesus. We're sinful yet justified, but it's all about Jesus. People are saying no. No, I'm the apostle and they would show up at Ephesus. Here's another boat that shows up and people walk out and they're like How can I extract money from people and control them.

You call yourself an apostle by the way if I meet apostles? I sometimes wonder. To myself, maybe I'll ask them a really hard theological question because most people that call themselves apostles are Theologically illiterate and so they should know the answer to this question and but they can't even answer.

How could they how could I answer the question and they could not but that's that's the second that's that's that's a side note. They understood leadership they had Timothy at their church. 1st Timothy and 2nd Timothy written by Paul.

Here's what a leader should look like here's qualifications for a godly elder. Certainly not perfect but you can see the the grace of God in their life and Elders are are leading the church a plurality of people leading the church and when somebody comes and says oh no I'm an apostle.

I have that authority. They said no. No. That's not true at all. By the way so far I'm not just thinking about Ephesus. I'm thinking about Bethlehem Bible Church. Nobody could walk in here saying they're an apostle.

I Will be gone next weekend if pastor Steve gets up and he says he's an apostle. I Want you to throw things at him? Not those little flimsy song sheets a hymnal will do. Some people say to me I've never been to a church for the hymnal.

Well, there are reasons for hymnals. I think this church. This is not flattery. But at least many of you some don't have a ministry, and I hope you're convicted if you're a member of this church. And you have no ministry.

Jesus would write a different letter to you, but overall I think of people here at this church that serve hard. Works not just a little work, but works to the point of sweat and toil persevering through all kinds of problems family problems trials health issues.

Family issues, and they're persevering. And they they test people according to Scripture. Is this guy a false teacher or not. Is he an apostle or is he not? This sounds like to me Bethlehem Bible Church does it not?

This could be written to us and and I as a pastor commend you for your hard work unto the Lord. They don't endure false teachers. What's this text say they do not bear with those who are evil? If tested those who call themselves Apostles, I mean Paul had warned them back in Acts chapter 20.

I Know that after my departure Ephesus savage wolves will come among you not sparing the flock and From among your own selves men will rise speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them.

Therefore be on the alert remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. They're going to come be careful. They came and Ephesus was careful and Jesus commends them especially in a day just think about it a Pluralistic day just like today lots of ways to heaven lots of stuff about religiosity relapse lots of things about spirituality.

These churches were something that the world hates they were Intolerant to false teachers. They were intolerant to people that said I'm An apostle and so the first thing I noticed Jesus comes and he commends the church.

He's not coming with some magnifying glass and and some kind of. I don't know a police officer that knows they have to write some Ticket. I'm gonna write a ticket no matter what. Once I was in a boat with the children our 16-foot boat that we used to have and it was snowing outside.

But the lake hadn't frozen. So I put all had all the kids put on their lifejackets coats on top and then we were wakeboarding over here in Sterling. And it was snow on the ground, but we were wakeboarding.

We were having a great time. You didn't you remember that my feet still remember that and so someone was with binoculars at the boat ramp, and it was an officer and we drive back up finally after our One hour out there, and he said sorry sir.

You know I've been told that your children have no lifejacket on that's a violation. I said officer the good thing is is they do have Things on the lifejackets on they're just coats are over them. Well, he had spent probably an hour or two waiting to give me a ticket.

So then I thought to he's gonna try to find something else. Do you have an anchor? Yes? Do you have lights on your boat? Yes, do they work? Do you have an oar. Yes, and then he got me? Do you have a whistle?

No, I Have a whistle. All my kids are just watching everything that's going on and I said I I'm sorry I Excuse isn't it's not an excuse. I mean ignorance is an excuse. I didn't have a whistle. I'll go get a whistle.

I'm sorry kids I should have obeyed the rules and looked ahead of time and then he said well since you've been so kind and nice I'll only give you a warning great. I Said kids see sometimes vinegar sometimes.

He was looking right down the list. I don't want you to think that your Savior the Lord Jesus your elder brother the ultimate Apostle Is just walking around trying to find some infraction to say got you of course when there is some sin It will be dealt with it will be exposed not to kick you out of the family, but because you're in the family I Always tell my children.

I don't discipline. I don't spank children down the street. I only spank you. Why? Well lots of reasons one if I don't spank you God will spank me. I don't like that, but also because I love you. So this is all in love.

This is all commendation. This is all praising. This is not somebody that's got some quota for a ticket. He says in verse 3. I I know he knows for certain and he understands especially through the incarnation.

Experientially how hard this is to endure patiently how hard it is to bear up. How hard it is not to grow weary and so he commends them you've endured patiently. Bearing up for my name's sake and you have not grown weary.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is in your life. Bethlehem Bible Church, I see the fruit of the Spirit in your lives. Well, we go from the praise to the problem, but I have this against you that you have abandoned.

The love you had at first. The way we would translate the word order would be your first love you have left now. I think here's what's basically happening and then we'll look at it in more detail. When you're first married.

You're in love the motions and the in love stage and everything else. Excited enthusiastic everything is wonderful. The honey runs out. Honeymoon right to get a big jar. We should give big jars to the people getting married here and.

Then things can turn mechanical. You're not going crazy, but you're just doing them by duty only by rote. I know what I'm supposed to do. So I do it and of course, we know what the Lord wants. He wants duty.

He's just commended duty. He wants hard work. He's just commended hard work. He wants spiritual discernment. He's just commended spiritual discernment. But what has been lost here. Is that? Motivation.

The reason. The love for the Lord Jesus because he's loved us and given himself for us. That's why we do it. It's lost 40 years later. They're doing the right thing, but they're doing it mechanically.

You get married for the right reasons and pretty soon no preventative maintenance. You're just on autopilot. Men are probably worse it worse said that than ladies and it's just like okay. And then it just turns into duty alone.

And so he says I don't want that. Thankfully we have even an example not just even of the Lord Jesus the ultimate example, but Paul. Paul gets saved on the Damascus Road 25 years later. He writes Ephesians and what's he doing with this burst of praise?

Blessed blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who's blessed us and with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. He's chose us in him. The sons died for us his spirit seals us and Paul 25 years later after he got saved.

He's doing good works, but it's not mechanical. It's from the heart because of God's love for him and his love to the Lord. Now we move 25. No, 40 years later after Ephesus receives Ephesians 1 to 6 and now they're doing the right things, but for the wrong Reasons.

I've been to Ephesus before and you used to be able to walk from the Edge of town the city proper and there would be the sea. But there was a lot of silt coming down over the years and now that city is six miles from the sea.

Takes a long time to get there and some commentators have thought you know the silt that has come down through Ephesus. Spiritual silt has come down into Ephesus with the river of worldliness and wrong Priorities and forgetting about the Lord Jesus, and I know I'm supposed to do the right things, but why do I do those?

Don't if you mind you have two ladies. There's lady named Martha and a lady named Mary. Now as they went their way Jesus entered a village and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house Jesus. She had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.

But Martha was distracted with much serving and she went up to him and said Lord Do you not care my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me the Lord answered her Martha. Martha. You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.

Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. The church worked hard the church did what they're supposed to do, but they forgot to whom they were doing it. They forgot the motivation of love and so Jesus says.

That's not the right thing. I think that what has also happened the love to the Lord has diminished and become mechanical and I think Implied and many scholars would agree with me that their love for other Christians in the church has also become Mechanical and their love for the lost while they know they have to evangelize but their love for the lost has diminished.

Because the three are related when you lose the admiration and the thanksgiving and that I cannot believe. Remember when you were first saved I cannot believe that this God who knows all the skeletons in my closet and he still saved me.

The father sent his best the Lord Jesus to die for me. Why. Because I'm lovely. No because he loved me. That's just the character of God. He rescued me at his own cost. He sought me and bought me with his redeeming love then related to that is well to other people.

I love them. If Jesus loves sinners, I do too. And related to that is the lost. If Jesus loves the lost I do too. And so Jesus says you've lost your first love. Thessalonica hadn't done that first. Thessalonians 1.

Paul writes constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope. In our Lord Jesus in the presence of God our Father. One writer said take husband and wife. A wife may take care of the house.

Fulfill all her duties as to leave nothing undone for which her husband could find fault. But if her love for him is diminished will all her service satisfy him. And the exact same thing can go true for the husband instead of a vitality.

It's become routine. Instead of from the heart. It's because I just formally have to do it. What's the solution to this. Is it try harder? Is it how could you is it call in the consultants? Teach less doctrine that would do it.

This church is so high up on doctrine. We're not good for anything. Is that the solution? Jesus tells us the solution and he says it is the leader of the church and one who loves this church. First thing he says is verse 5 remember.

He's gonna say repent, but first he says remember. Therefore from where you've fallen. The language is keep remembering. Keep remembering like you to just sit down one day. Go take a walk go down to the old stone church and just remember how great your sins were and how great the Savior is.

I'm just gonna recall the past. Where would I be without the Lord? Where would I be ultimately without the Lord? Just to remember. Memory is important for the Christian. We are so forgetful once a month.

We have here something called the Lord's Supper a memorial feast to remember this church at Ephesus. History tells us quit being a church in the 11th century what they needed was. Well, let's just not talk doctrine anymore that that would not be wise.

But let's remember the person and work of Jesus if you go back to chapter 1 verse 5. Has not John actually been doing that from the get-go. I Like to remind everyone here if you're struggling with first love.

Lost been a Christian for a long time used to be excited. By the way, I'm not saying our love doesn't mature it does but it still should be from the flames of the heart where you think Oh, this is the Lord Jesus.

Look at how John extols a Jesus. Let me remind you. Let me refresh your memory. Let us remember together Jesus even in Revelation 1. I Read it before but we have Revelation 1 5 the faithful witness. This is the one that's been faithful.

Other people are unfaithful in my life. Jesus is faithful even in the midst of persecution. Firstborn from the dead out of all the people raised from the dead. Lazarus and everyone. There's one that has preeminence.

It's the Lord Jesus. He's not only ruler of the church. He's ruler of every enemy. He's the ruler of kings on the earth. Sure, I think that's the Jesus that I worship. Yes, the United States. Russia Ukraine.

You just go right on down the list. Who's the ruler of it all? Oh this sovereign Savior and he just starts praising Christ. He hasn't lost his first love. John hasn't because he now goes into this praise.

He mentions Jesus and now he says to him who loves us. It's one of the few places in all the Bible where it says Jesus present tense loves you. He loved me at the cross. That's certain. He loved me in eternity past.