TEXT:  Rev. 2:1-7

INTRODUCTION:

A.  LETTERS TO CHURCHES OF ASIA.

          1.  Name the 7 churches.

          2.  Good information for us (1 Cor. 16:1;  4:17;  14:33).

B.  FORM OF THE LETTERS:

          1.  Salutation.                                                        5.  Warning or threat of judgment.

          2.  Jesus’ self designation.                                      6.  Exhortation.

          3.  Commendation of good.                                   7.  Promise.

          4.  Condemnation of evil.

C.  WE WILL FOLLOW THIS FORM.

I.      TO EPHESUS.

A.  ESTABLISHED (Acts 18:19-21,  24-28;  19).

B.  EPISTLE, INDICATES MATURITY;  WRITTEN FROM PRISON.

C.  FAREWELL.  (Acts 20:17-38).  BEFORE PRISON EPISTLE.

II.     JESUS’ SELF DESCRIPTION (vs. 1).

A.  NEARLY ALL FROM (1:12-20).

B.  7 STARS IN RIGHT HAND è CONTROL & PROTECTION (1:16, 20).

C.  WALKS IN THE MIDST OF THE CANDLESTICKS (1:12-13, 20).

          1.  His presence ( Phil. 4:4-5;  Matt. 18:20).

          2.  He knows – good and bad (Heb. 4:12-13).

III.    COMMENDATION – I KNOW THY WORKS (vs. 2, 3, 6).

A.  TOIL AND PATIENCE (1 Cor. 15:58).

          1.  Works not just deeds, but service.

          2.  Stedfastness è Heb. 12:1-2.  Keeping on.

          3.  Patience in trial.  Patience from trial (Jas. 1:2-4).

B.  THOU CANST NOT BEAR EVIL MEN (vs. 2, 6).

          1.  False apostles – Teachers of error (2 Cor. 11:3-4).

          2.  There is false teaching (2 Tim. 6:3-5;  2 Tim. 4:3-4).

          3.  The danger of it (Acts 20:29-30;  Gal. 1:6-9;  Matt. 15:14-15;  2 John 9).

          4.  What to do?

                   a.  Preach the truth (2 Tim. 4:1-2;  Acts 20:26).

                   b.  Hold the pattern (2 Tim. 1:13-14).

                   c.  Correct the false teacher (2 Tim. 2:24ff. ).

                   d.  Discipline (Rom. 11:17-18;  Titus 3:9-10;  2 Thess. 3:6).

          5.  THEY DID THIS!

C.  vs. 6.  HATED THE WORKS, NOT THE SINNER (Jude 22-23).

IV.   REBUKES OF EVIL (vs. 4).

A.  LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE.

          1.  Faithful in every outward respect.

          2.  Must have to do with the inner man è ATTITUDE!

B.  THAT WHICH ISMOST IMPORTANT.

          1.  What comes first (Matt. 6:33).

          2.  Ahead of what? (Luke 14:25ff;  1 John 2:15-17).

          3.  Manifest in willingness to work (Acts 5:42;  8:4;  Titus 3:1).

C.  THAT WHICH THEY HELD AT FIRST.

          1.  What had the Ephesians done? (Acts 19:18-20;  20:37;  Eph. 1:15).

          2.  And otherw in their zeal (Heb. 10:32-39;  2 Cor. 8:5).

D.  WHAT DID THEY HOLD BACK NOW? (Luke 14:33).

V.    THREAT (vs. 5 è Matt. 7:22-23).  LOSS OF IDENTITY.

VI.   EXHORTATION.

A.  REPENT!  Change Of Heart.

          1.  A revival of Zeal (Rom. 12:11;  Titus 2:14).

                   a.  Exemplified in the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:5).

                   b.  Exemplified in Paul (Gal. 2:20).

                   c.  And in Jesus (John 2:13-17).

          2.  Right doctrine is necessary – but not enough!

          3.  Loyal to God, not to the church!

B.  AND DO THE FIRST WORKS.

C.  NECESSARY TO BE FORGIVEN (1 John 1:6-7).

VII.  TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH:

A.  ACCESS TO THE TREE OF LIFE (Gen. 3;22-24).  ETERNAL LIFE.

B.  IN THE PARADISE OF GOD.

          1.  Fellowship à like in the Garden.

          2.  1 John 1:7;  Rev. 21:1-4.

CONCLUSION:

A.  DOES THIS DESCRIBE US?

          1.  Commendation?

          2.  Condemnation?

C.  DO WE NEED REPENTANCE?