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Listen "114. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 9: Church #1 - Ephesus"
Episode Synopsis
Revelation 2:1-7
We left off discussing the various views of these churches, and today we jump into the letter to the first of these churches. Christ presents Himself to the church at Ephesus—who had been given premier teaching on the church from Paul and the qualifications for church leaders through Paul’s letter to Timothy—as the One who cares for the messengers of the church and walks in the midst of His body. Most of the contents of this letter to Ephesus is praiseworthy, but there is a warning issued them to return to their first love. There is much for us to learn from the letter to this church.
Ephesus: the Loveless church
I. The Location (literal local church) #1
Very important Roman city in the province of Asia
City of Diana the pagan Greek goddess
Church Paul spent the most time at
Timothy ministered there, as did John, possibly as elders
Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is the masterpiece treatise on the church, there were no problems addressed in this epistle, contains spiritual depth, it is in the letter to Timothy we have the qualifications for pastor and deacon
Gave his parting sermon in Acts 20
II. The Likeness of Christ
Christ’s relationship with His church
Caring for the elders and walking in the midst of the members
III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings)
✅Intolerance towards evil & error
✅Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (domineering over the people)
✅Had remained faithful and patient in their works and labor
❎Left their first love
Their fervor and affection was abated over time
Probably due to trials due to their location
IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative) #3
Represents the Apostolic Age AD 70-170
This is a call to patience, to bear under great trials, to continue long in obedience
V. The Lesson for us (type of church) #2
Wilmington’s helpful outline:
Remember the faith they had loved (give their heads to Christ)
Repent (give their hearts to Christ)
Repeat their first works (give their hands to Christ)
We left off discussing the various views of these churches, and today we jump into the letter to the first of these churches. Christ presents Himself to the church at Ephesus—who had been given premier teaching on the church from Paul and the qualifications for church leaders through Paul’s letter to Timothy—as the One who cares for the messengers of the church and walks in the midst of His body. Most of the contents of this letter to Ephesus is praiseworthy, but there is a warning issued them to return to their first love. There is much for us to learn from the letter to this church.
Ephesus: the Loveless church
I. The Location (literal local church) #1
Very important Roman city in the province of Asia
City of Diana the pagan Greek goddess
Church Paul spent the most time at
Timothy ministered there, as did John, possibly as elders
Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is the masterpiece treatise on the church, there were no problems addressed in this epistle, contains spiritual depth, it is in the letter to Timothy we have the qualifications for pastor and deacon
Gave his parting sermon in Acts 20
II. The Likeness of Christ
Christ’s relationship with His church
Caring for the elders and walking in the midst of the members
III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings)
✅Intolerance towards evil & error
✅Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (domineering over the people)
✅Had remained faithful and patient in their works and labor
❎Left their first love
Their fervor and affection was abated over time
Probably due to trials due to their location
IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative) #3
Represents the Apostolic Age AD 70-170
This is a call to patience, to bear under great trials, to continue long in obedience
V. The Lesson for us (type of church) #2
Wilmington’s helpful outline:
Remember the faith they had loved (give their heads to Christ)
Repent (give their hearts to Christ)
Repeat their first works (give their hands to Christ)
In God we trust