The Most Envied Pastor in the World Pastor

The Most Envied Pastor in the World Pastor Ronald D. Williams

The Church of Ephesus Achieving the goal and missing the mark

First Point Jesus affirms the church that is zealous

Revelation 2 1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

Revelation 2 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and 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.

Revelation 2 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.

Background on Ephesus was… • An important commercial center.

Background on Ephesus was… • An important political center.

Background on Ephesus was… • An important religious center.

Acts 19 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.

Acts 19 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.

Acts 19 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.

27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship. ” (Acts 19)

Background on the Ephesian Church 1. Faced fierce opposition by nonbelievers. 2. Faced serious infiltration by false teachers. 3. Exhibited diligence in rooting out false teachers.

Second Point Jesus rebukes the church that loses its first love.

Revelation 2 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Revelation 2 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

The Ephesian believers greatest strength, their dedication to battle for truth, became their greatest weakness.

“Every virtue carries within itself the seed of its own destruction. ”

Third Point Jesus wants us to be both loving and zealous.

Revelation 2 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 2 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. ’