2. Jesus Christ – to the ‘got it together’ Church
Ephesus
(Revelation 2:1-7)

4. He examines each church
He applies a characteristic of Himself to each church
He calls each church to hear and overcome

5. 1. He commends them “I know …” (He sees and judges
Ephesus: The ‘got it together’ Church
1. He commends them
“I know …”
(He sees and judges
their true condition)

6. The ‘got it together’ Church
“I know your deeds...”
“your hard work...”
“your perseverance...”
“you cannot tolerate wicked men...”
“you have tested those who claim to be apostles ...”
“you have persevered and have endured
hardships...”
“you have not grown weary...”
“you hate the practice of the Nicolaitans...”

7. 2. He confronts them “BUT . . .” “I hold this against you:
you have forsaken the
love you had at first”

8. l. The seriousness of losing our first love
I commend your zeal. But where is your love? For
on that your very survival as a church depends.
Love for the Lord is a real measure
of a church
Love for the Lord is the highest priority
for the Church
“If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed” 1 Cor. 16:22

9. 2. The symptoms of losing our first love
It is revealed in our commitment
“If you love Me, keep my commands” Jn 14:15
We can keep His commands without loving Him, but we cannot love Him without keeping His commands
It is revealed in our worship
It is revealed in our fellowship
It is revealed in our witness

10. 3. He calls them To remember To repent To renew their commitment
To hear and overcome

11. Tree of life – to experience His life
John 14:21
“Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me:
will be loved by My Father,
and I too will love him
and show Myself to him.”