2. Introduction:  Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7).  The church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).

3.  Ephesus - the largest city of Asia Minor which was a commercial and religious centre.  We read the history of the Church in Ephesus in Ephesians 1; Acts 18 & 19  The Ephesian church has developed and transformed after about 30 years.

5. General Outline of Message to Churches: 1. Description of Christ: 2. Description of Church: 3. Disapproval of Church: 4. Direction for Church: 5. Promise to Church:

6. 1. Description of Christ: Revelation 2:1 1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: (Read also Revelation 1:12-13, 20)

7.  The One = The Son of Man (Lord Jesus Christ)  Seven Stars = Seven Angels of the Seven Churches  Seven Golden Lampstands = Seven Churches

8. 2. Description of Church: Revelation 2:2-3, 6 2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary... 6 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

9.  Deeds, toil and perseverance  Endurance for His sake  Not grown weary.  Cannot tolerate evil men  Put to test those who call themselves apostles.

13. 3. Disapproval of Church: Revelation 2:4 4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Jesus however points one major weakness in the church in Ephesus.  He thus rebukes the church because they have left their first love.

21. 4. Direction for Church: Revelation 2:5 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.  Repent and do the deeds you did at first - unless your repent  I am coming to remove your lampstand from out of its place

27. 5. Promise to Church: Revelation 2:7 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’  The Word of God comes with a promise to those who choose to hear and obey.  Overcomers - receive the right to eat of the tree of life in the Paradise of God.

30. Conclusion:  The Lord Jesus is concerned for His church that she returns to loving Him again.

31.  Questions for Small Group Discussion: 1. How have I (individually) and we (collectively) forsaken the ‘first love’? 2. How do we repent and return once again to the ‘first love’ of God and for God?