Jesus Calling
Pt. 1 Ephesus: First Love Lost
By Louie Marsh, 11-3-2024
1) Jesus is in CONTROL.
"1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands." (Revelation 2:1, ESV)
· He can - & will – execute JUDGEMENT on the church at any moment.
2) Jesus KNOWS!
"2" 'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary… "6Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." (Revelation 2:2–3,6 ESV)
· Jesus knows and UNDERSTANDS how hard it is to follow Him.
"13"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13–14, ESV)
· He ENCOURAGES me to keep going.
"9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
· He COMMENDS me for standing with Him.
"23His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'" (Matthew 25:23, ESV)
Nicolaitans – not sure who they really were. Speculated the leader might have been Nicolaus in Acts 6:5 was leader. Very doubtful -the one thing we do know is they were almost surely early gnostics.
What's a gnostic? (How cruel to claim to have the ultimate truth, but refuse to share it until you've jumped through a hundred hoops). Modern examples of Gnostics: Scientology, orgs who claim to have ancient knowledge, but you have to climb the ladder to find out.
3) Jesus demands ACCOUNTABILITY.
"4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." (Revelation 2:4, ESV)
"36I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak," (Matthew 12:36, ESV)
4) Jesus commands me to RETURN to Him.
"5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." (Revelation 2:5, ESV)
· Remember the love I had for God.
· Repent – TURN AROUND and get back there.
5) Jesus reminds me to LISTEN UP.
"7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:7a, ESV)
6) Jesus REWARDS those who overcome.
To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'" (Revelation 2:7b, ESV)
