THE CHURCH PERIODS

E p h e s u s Revelation 2:1-7 c. 90-200 A.D. “fully purposed”

E p h e s u s I. The Commission Rev. 2: 1a

E p h e s u s II. The Character Rev. 2: 1b

E p h e s u s III. The Commendation Rev. 2: 2-3

A. It was a performing Church Ephesus A. It was a performing Church “fully purposed”

B. It was a persevering Church Ephesus B. It was a persevering Church “fully purposed”

Ephesus C. It was a pure Church “fully purposed”

(Rev 2:2-3) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

1. This means this church was a Holly Church that exercise discipline E p h e s u s 1. This means this church was a Holly Church that exercise discipline

(Rev 2:2-3) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

E p h e s u s 2. This means this church gauged the words and work of all so called believers by the Bible

Christian vs. Biblical Spiritual vs. Scriptural Warning! Denoting the difference between: Christian vs. Biblical Spiritual vs. Scriptural

How will Satan beguile us? E p h e s u s How will Satan beguile us? The same way he beguiled Eve

1st He tries to get her to question God’s Word 2nd He changes God’s Word 3rd He reinterpreted God’s Word HIS APPROACH WAS RELIGION!

How will Satan beguile us? E p h e s u s How will Satan beguile us? The same way he beguiled Eve Through preaching

(2Co 11:1-3) Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

How will Satan beguile us? E p h e s u s How will Satan beguile us? The same way he beguiled Eve Through preaching Who are these preachers?

(2Co 11:13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

(2Co 11:14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

(2Co 11:15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Understanding the Issue determining these false Apostles E p h e s u s Understanding the Issue determining these false Apostles The issue is NOT whether they use the bible!!!! They all use the Bible (out of context) The question is do they use the Bible correctly

(2Co 2:17) For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

(2Co 4:2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

(1Ti 4:1) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1Ti 4:2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1Ti 4:3) Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

(Tit 1:6-11) If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

WHAT ABOUT UNITY?

(Joh 17:11) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (Joh 17:21-22) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Turn to: John 17

(Joh 17:11) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (Joh 17:21-22) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

How was the Father and the Son one? E p h e s u s How was the Father and the Son one? Their image was the same

(Col 1:15) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Joh 14:9) Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

How was the Father and the Son one? E p h e s u s How was the Father and the Son one? Their image was the same Their works were the same

(Joh 5:19) Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

(Joh 8:28) Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

How was the Father and the Son one? E p h e s u s How was the Father and the Son one? Their image was the same Their works were the same Their words (doctrine) was the same

(Joh 7:16-17) Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

(Joh 12:49) For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. (Joh 14:10) Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

(1Co 1:10) Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

(Joh 8:31-32) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

How was the Father and the Son one? E p h e s u s How was the Father and the Son one? Their image was the same Their works were the same Their words (doctrine) was the same Nowhere does God tell you to drop your doctrine for the sake of unity

(Jud 1:3) …it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith… (2Ti 1:13) Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (Tit 1:9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

(Gal 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Col 3:12-13) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

(1Pe 2:22-23) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (Isa 53:7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

E p h e s u s WWJD? When dealing with “sinners” and those who persecuted him, he always took the approach of love and meekness But those who claim to be speaking for God….

Matt. 9:3 15:1,7, 12-13 16:6, 12 23: 2, 13-17, 19, 23-29, 33

(2Ti 2:24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,