Entitled this series Things are not as they seem. Revelation wants to help us see reality in light of an unseen future and a present reality seen only with the eyes of faith. This series will be based largely on Darrell Johnsons book, Discipleship on the Edge. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

What is this political cartoon saying? Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Why are we looking at political cartoons in church? How does it relate to understanding the Revelation of Jesus? Picture to comment on reality. Symbolic – animals represent people, etc You can interpret the image when you know the context. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Last time we explored the image of Jesus in Rev. 1:12-14: And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double- edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. What is this image telling us? Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Where is Jesus located in relation to the 7 churches? Above? No Below? No Among the 7 churches!!! What does that tell you? Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

This morning we continue in Revelation to hear the first message to the churches – to Ephesus. You will note that each message begins with part of the description of Jesus from Rev. 1. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Scripture Reading Revelation 2:1-7 Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

I think if you were looking for a church, you would probably have liked the church in Ephesus. This was a happening church. Christ, who knows his churches, commends them. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

This was a hard working church. Persevered against opposition. Disciplined its members well. Spiritually discerning church. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

But we are getting ahead of ourselves. In Revelation 2 & 3 we read of Jesus messages to 7 churches. 7 = completeness Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Seven real historical churches Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Similar to royal edicts sent out by Roman governors to local municipalities. -I know - words of praise - area of criticism - consequences of not changing - promises if they change Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

About Ephesus - 4 th largest city [225,000 pop] - financial center of ancient world - famous for temple to Artemis [Diana] goddess of fertility - her temple on of the 7 wonders of the world - had temple for emperor worship - Amphitheater seated 24,000 Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Church in Ephesus - Begun by Paul & Pricilla & Aquila - Paul came back for 2 ½ years - Kicked out because of Converts not buying Diana statues - Left Timothy who was later murdered - John took over as pastor - Became most influential church -Jerusalem -> Antioch -> Ephesus -> Rome Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: v.1 Written to the angel of the church Angel = 1. angel 2. Preacher [messenger] 3. The spirit of the church To be heard by the church itself. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. vv.1-3 Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

He who holds the angels in his right hand, walks among the churches, knows the real condition of our souls, sees through all the activity, all the patience, all the orthodoxy – he tells the church that it is flawed at the center. The church has everything except the one thing Jesus deserves. I have this against you, you have left your first love. Johnson, p. 57 Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

First love is the love experienced when people fall in love. First love is like what you felt when you first realized that God loved you and sent Jesus to die for you. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Jesus says that for all of their hard work, patient endurance and orthodoxy the Ephesians were no longer in love with him. Affection and intimacy were gone. Johnson. p.57 Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

I fell in love with Sandra at college -Would look at her for hours - Wanted to be with her - Took long walks - Had long talks - Wrote long letters to her - Read her letters again and again Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

I fell in love with Jesus -Overwhelmed by his love and grace to me - loved to sing his praise for hours - loved studying his Word - wanted to live my life for him Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

I have this against you, you have left your first love. But Lord, I am working hard for the church. I know but you have lost your first love. But Lord, I came out on the front lines, securing beachheads for the kingdom. I know. Thanks you, But you have lost the attentiveness, the tenderness, the extravagance of your first love. Johnson, p.60 Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

You have left your first love. Happens in marriages. Happens in friendships. Happens in discipleship. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

What can we do? Three things 1.Remember 2.Repent 3.Return Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. v. 5 Remember - Remember what it was like at first - Recognize our condition - Admit it to ourselves and him Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. v. 5 Repent - confess that we have been in love with other things - turn around – radical u-turn - changing habits and schedules - Admit it to ourselves and him Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. v. 5 Return - Re-do what you first did - Restore the romance in you relationship with Jesus - you are his bride, he desires our love Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

The message to the church in Ephesus ends with a warning and a promise: If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. vv.5,7 Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. V.5 Then you are a church without the light. Hollowed out shell Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

As we seek Gods direction for our church, as we seek to be the kind of light in our community God wants us to be, what do we need to hear from Jesus message to the church in Ephesus? Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

Without our first love for Jesus our lamp will not be bright. Without our first love for Jesus our work for the church will be drudgery and attract no one. Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus

The great Son of Man is with us even now; moving among us, calling his bride-to-be into the dance of affection and intimacy. He stands before each of us right now. What is he saying to you? How do you respond? Johnson, p.62 Ephesus Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Ephesus Remembering, Repenting & Returning to Your First Love Ephesus