2009, A TIME TO REALIGN, Revelation 2:1-7

Date Preached: January 4, 2009 a.m. at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs, LA
Scripture Passage: Revelation 2:1-7

The beginning of a new year offers us a time to reflect on our lives and make needed life-course adjustments. In Revelation 2:1-7, Jesus spoke both a word of encouragement and challenge to the church at Ephesus, a church that was strong in service but lacking in love. They were in need of a spiritual alignment. Do we too need a similar spiritual alignment? If so, God graciously offers us the way back. “He who has an ear, let him hear” (v.7).

Introduction
1. This message to the church at Ephesus is the first in a series of seven messages by Christ sent to seven churches in Asia Minor. The risen Christ is speaking to His church on earth. He addresses the seven churches specifically, but He also addresses all churches in all times and in every place. The plural is used at 2:17, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22.

2. Jesus is also speaking to individuals. “He who has an ear, let him hear . . .” (v.7). So in this message directed first to Ephesus is a message to us as a church and us as individuals who make up the church.

About Ephesus
1. Because of an important harbor, Ephesus was called “The Gateway of Asia.” It was a wealthy trade center.

2. Ephesus was also a center of pagan religion and superstition. Here “Artemis” or “Diana” of the Ephesians was worshiped (see Acts 19:23-ff.). People would come from around the world to purchase amulets and charms (Acts 19:27).

3. Ephesus was a remarkable center of early Christianity. Paul stayed here longer than anywhere else and developed some deep and long lasting relationships (Acts 20:17-38). Timothy was appointed by Paul as the first Bishop (1 Tim. 1:3). John too was a leader in the early church at Ephesus. Aquilla and Priscilla and Apollos preached and taught in Ephesus (Acts 18:19, 24, 26). So Ephesus has the tremendous distinction as a great center of early Christianity.

I. A CONFIRMATION (2:1)
The first thing that we notice is that there is a confirmation from Christ. “Angel” translates as “messenger.” Christ is addressing the leaders of the church, His messengers, His angels. What confirmation does Jesus give?

1. The Church Is Kept Secure in Heaven
“He holds . . .” The biblical word “kratein” means Christ has complete control of the church, He holds the whole and not the part. If the church will submit to Christ’s control, it will never go astray.

2. The Church Experiences Christ’s Presence on Earth
“Walks” speaks of Christ’s unwearied activity in the midst of His churches. He’s not confined to one church in one location. Here is a promise of His presence.

II. A COMMENDATION (2:2-3, 6)
1. A Serving Church – “works”
The Ephesians had serving hearts. The put feet to their faith.

2. A Sacrificing Church – “labor”
This means to labor to the point of exhaustion. The Ephesians went beyond what was expected.

3. A Steadfast Church – “patience”
The word “hupomone” means to endure or to bear up under difficult circumstance.

4. A Separated Church – “cannot bear . . . tested”
Naturally, because of their status as a center of paganism, there were many false teachers in Ephesus. Paul encountered them and warned the church to watch out for these sheep in wolves clothing (Acts 20:28-31). Jesus also warned against false prophets (Matt. 7:15-2). The Ephesians took Christ’s and Paul’s warnings to heart.

An example of their ability to discern the false from the truth was their refusal to fall victim to the teachings of the Nicolatians (v.6). The Nicolatians tried to conform Christianity to the world. They tended to be wealthier and they had more to give up in following Jesus. They tried to have it both ways (see Jas. 4:4). But the Ephesians knew that the call to follow Jesus was a call to total commitment to Christ.

5. A Suffering Church – “persevered”
The Ephesians desired to live pure lives and as a result they suffered for their convictions.

III. A CONDEMNATION (2:4)
The church at Ephesus had much to be commended for. They were a model church in their purity and in their service, but Jesus has a word of condemnation to the church at Ephesus. Apparently, they had left their first love. Their devotion to Christ had cooled. They were once fervent and on fire for Christ. They were devoted to Him, but now they have grown cold and their works are now serving as a substitute for their relationship.

There is always the subtle temptation in the Christian life to allow "doing" to become a substitute for "being." God is more interested in us "becoming" the person He has created us to be, rather than in us "doing" for Him. God is interested in the relationship first. Have we left our first love? Have you left your first love? Have you allowed "doing" to become a substitute for "being"? Do we have purity without passion? There was no gross immorality in the church at Ephesus, just a deadening familiarity with God.

IV. A COMMAND (2:5)
Here is God’s gracious way back. Here’s how we rekindle our “first love” relationship with God.

1. Remember
Remembrance is the first step back to God (Lk, 15:17). We need a coming to our senses, a wake up call, we need to remember what it was like. Remember when you came to church excited to sing and to hear God speak to you. Remember when you gave and you served with joy not because you had to but because you wanted to. Remember when it bothered you to sin and when holiness was something that you pursued and prayed for. Remember when the things of God were not so familiar to you. Remember when you read your Bible and your heart was stirred. If you’re not where you once were, it’s time to do some remembering.

2. Repent
Repentance goes beyond remembering and saying “I used to do . . .” Repentance is not just feeling bad about where we are, it is taking a step back towards your relationship with God. “Choice not chance determines your future.” Repentance is a conscious decision to reverse course. It means to change direction. It’s more than going down memory lane, it’s a choice to reclaim the wonder of the relationship that you once had with Christ. The prodigal son remembered, but then he repented, he said “I will arise . . .” (Lk. 15:18). Remembrance without repentance only produces remorse and regret. But remembrance coupled with repentance produces rejoicing.

3. Return
“Do the first works.” Here is the key to repentance. Here is the essence of realigning your life. Go back and do what you used to do. What were you doing when you were closer to God? You probably were attending worship regularly, attending a Bible study with other believers, giving generously, spending time with God each day, dealing with sin in your life instead of justifying it. In reality, you were placing God first. You were living in Christ and you had victory in Jesus.

I propose that in 2009, it’s time to realign our lives to the purpose for which we were created for – to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!!! But if that is going to happen, I (you) have to be willing to repent and return to the first works.

Do we really have an option? Not really, if we take God's Word seriously. Notice the second part of verse 5. “Or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent.” In other words, if I refuse to align my life under God’s purpose, I am going to lose the blessings of God. I'm not going to lose my salvation, but I am going to lose my power, my victory, my light, my testimony. I don’t want that to happen and neither do you. That’s why I am taking 2009 as a time to realign to God’s purpose, the purpose He created me for – to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever! Will you join me?


For His Glory!
Pastor Joe