The Church in Ephesus Revelation 2 1 7

The Church in Ephesus Revelation 2: 1 -7

CHURCH IN EPHESUS – AND US Ephesus, AD 90 Bellaire, AD 2021 For decades, the word prevailed, the church grew, the whole region heard. (Acts 19) § Benefitted from the work of Paul, Timothy, & John. § Emphasis on guarding against false teaching. § § For decades, the word has spread from here through the region & world. § Benefitted from the work of faithful ministers. § Emphasis on guarding truth, resisting error.

WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS (REVELATION 2: 1 -7) Among his churches (1) § Jesus is … § Jesus knows Their tireless … commitment. (2 -3, 6) § Jesus has …They have left their first love. (4 -5) Remove or reward. (6 -7) § Jesus will …

WHAT WAS THEIR FIRST LOVE? (REVELATION 2: 4) “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? ” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets. ” Matthew 22: 36 -40

HOW DOES EPHESUS LOSE ITS FIRST LOVE? § Did they forget God’s love for them, and labor for other reasons? § Did they begin to 1 John 4: 19 define themselves Ephesians 3: 16 -19 by what they were not? § Did they stop loving Ephesians 4: 22 -24 each other? 1 Timothy 1: 5 Acts 20: 35 Ephesians 4: 31 -5: 2

WHAT DOES JESUS COMMAND? Remember Think, Reflect, Purpose Repent Confess, Change, Do

“To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God. ” Revelation 2: 7