The Book of Revelation has seven letters written to seven churches in Asia Minor. These seven churches represent the church throughout the church age until Jesus returns. This first church is the church of Ephesus.

1 – The city of Ephesus (vs. 1)

The city of Ephesus was not an easy place to live.

• It was a great commercial and economic centre – There were four main trade roads that went through and they called it the “Gateway to Asia”.
• It was a very wicked city – There was idolatry everywhere. They were devoted to the worship of the goddess of Diana. The temple to Diana was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. False religion was everywhere. The Christian church at Ephesus was a lighthouse in the darkness.

2. The complements of Christ (vs. 2-3)

There are four things that are mentioned:-

• It was a serving Church (vs. 2) – “I know your works”. The church was active and things were being done. They were working hard.
• It was a sacrificing Church (vs. 2) – “and your labour”. They were at the point of exhaustion. They were sacrificing other things to work for the Lord.
• It was a steadfast Church (vs. 2-3) – “know your patience and have not fainted”. They were facing tough times but they were not giving up. They were persistent. They knew their labour was not in vain. You can start things up but not carry them through. We have to stay right on the mark and not move to the left or right. A church needs to reach out to the lost and feed those in the church.
• It was a separated Church (vs. 2) – “you cannot bear those who are evil”. They were not surprised by the false teachers. They put the false teachers out of the church. (See also Revelation 2:6). The false teachers were perverting the Gospel. They used their liberty as a licence to sin.

Things seemed very good with the church at Ephesus. The problem was that everything seemed good on the outside.

3. The complaint of Christ (vs. 4)

Despite all this Christ was against them! They seemed to be doing so many things right. What was so bad then? They had lost their first love. The problem was on the inside.

• They had the hands but not the heart.
• They have the duty but not the devotion.
• They have the labour but not the love.
• They have the works but not the worship.
• They have the faith but not the fire.
• They have the energy but not the emotion.
• They have the business but not the brokenness.
• They have the walk but not the wonder.

They were so busy working for Christ that they had forgotten about Christ Himself. Did you know that this is possible? Doing the King’s business is no excuse to neglect the King. God wants us first and the works second. We must not forget our first love. What is first love?

• Original love – It is engagement love. When you both sat down in the same seat! You would open the door and but on your best clothes and cologne. You spent money you didn’t have! What about now? The car hasn’t been washed in six months. It is hard to get you to take a bath and things cost too much! You don’t buy flowers anymore! What happened to the feeling? What good is it if a woman cooks a wonderful meal but doesn’t love her husband? What good is it if the man keeps the garage clean but doesn’t love his wife? What you need to hear is that your partner loves you. It is an emotional love. Who wants a love that doesn’t feel?
• Motivational love – Love has to express itself. What is your motivation? Is it love for Christ? Love motivates you to do things that you don’t want to do. What has happened to that love? It is the same love that should be in a marriage. Where has that love gone? It should be stronger as time goes on. You can bury yourself into other things and the love is forgotten.

4. The command of Christ (vs. 5)

There are three things that you can do to get back your first love:-

• Remember (vs. 5) – We are to keep on remembering the way we felt when we first came to the Lord.
• Repent (vs. 5) – The Holy Spirit wants us to repent. Don’t let any idol come between you and the Lord. Give the Lord your love and not just your labour.
• Repeat (vs. 5) – Go back and do what you used to do. It will turn your life around. We may fail and leave the Lord but He never leaves us. God always has a candle lit for us. We can always bring the love back to life again.

Categories: Revelation