Ephesus- The Church that Paul Planted, Apostle John and Timothy visited
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Context of the culture in Ephesus, that this church lived in:
Context of the culture in Ephesus, that this church lived in:
1. The City was a port city on the coast of the Aegean Sea. It was a world class city like NEW YORK OR LONDON today.
1. The City was a port city on the coast of the Aegean Sea. It was a world class city like NEW YORK OR LONDON today.
2. The city had one of the seven wonders of the known world at the time the temple of the Goddess Artemis. The daughter of Zeus. The Goddess of fertility and life. The temple was approximately 150 yards long and 100 yards wide. Had 127 massive pillars of marble. It was filled with prostitutes(men and women) were all of the citizens would come in to worship and conclude their worship in sexual acts with the temple prostitutes.
2. The city had one of the seven wonders of the known world at the time the temple of the Goddess Artemis. The daughter of Zeus. The Goddess of fertility and life. The temple was approximately 150 yards long and 100 yards wide. Had 127 massive pillars of marble. It was filled with prostitutes(men and women) were all of the citizens would come in to worship and conclude their worship in sexual acts with the temple prostitutes.
3. The city had a large brothel in the middle of the city that was in the public. Sexual in-morality was rampant in the city.
3. The city had a large brothel in the middle of the city that was in the public. Sexual in-morality was rampant in the city.
4. The main action in the city was the Agora. The town market. Products from all over the world was sold here. The banking system was there too.
4. The main action in the city was the Agora. The town market. Products from all over the world was sold here. The banking system was there too.
The church at Ephesus had to navigate their life in this culture. One of the obstacles they faced was located at the entrance to the Agora. There was an incense burner there. When you entered you had to grab a pinch of incense and throw it in the fire as a sign of loyalty to the emperor Domitian who claimed to be God and was called lord.
The church at Ephesus had to navigate their life in this culture. One of the obstacles they faced was located at the entrance to the Agora. There was an incense burner there. When you entered you had to grab a pinch of incense and throw it in the fire as a sign of loyalty to the emperor Domitian who claimed to be God and was called lord.
It was always a requirement that every citizen in their own voice would publicly affirm that Caesar is lord. Up UNTIL THE TIME of Domitian the Christians were able to fly under the radar. But Domitian changed that and required this event. So the persecution of the church began. (approximately 30 to 40 years after Paul's’ letter to the church at Ephesus is when the Apostle John was exiled to the Island of Patmos because of the dynamics of this type of persecution.
It was always a requirement that every citizen in their own voice would publicly affirm that Caesar is lord. Up UNTIL THE TIME of Domitian the Christians were able to fly under the radar. But Domitian changed that and required this event. So the persecution of the church began. (approximately 30 to 40 years after Paul's’ letter to the church at Ephesus is when the Apostle John was exiled to the Island of Patmos because of the dynamics of this type of persecution.
Another unsettling reality for the early Christians here was the presence of demons and demon activity.
Another unsettling reality for the early Christians here was the presence of demons and demon activity.
ORACLES WERE PRIESTS TO THE GODS AND THE GODDESSES AND THEY SPOKE FOR THE GODS AND GODDESSES.
ORACLES WERE PRIESTS TO THE GODS AND THE GODDESSES AND THEY SPOKE FOR THE GODS AND GODDESSES.
ORACLES WOULD DO MIRACULOUS WONDERS, ALL DRIVEN BY THE UNDERWORLD, CAST SPELLS ON ENEMIES AND CURSES AND...
ORACLES WOULD DO MIRACULOUS WONDERS, ALL DRIVEN BY THE UNDERWORLD, CAST SPELLS ON ENEMIES AND CURSES AND...
AND WHIP WORSHIPERS INTO CONVULSIVE FRENZIES. ALL OF THIS WAS VERY EVIDENT TO THE EARLY CHRISTAINS HERE AT EPHESUS
SO WHEN PAUL WROTE TO EPHESUS, IN EPHESIANS CHAPTER 6,
AND WHIP WORSHIPERS INTO CONVULSIVE FRENZIES. ALL OF THIS WAS VERY EVIDENT TO THE EARLY CHRISTAINS HERE AT EPHESUS
SO WHEN PAUL WROTE TO EPHESUS, IN EPHESIANS CHAPTER 6,
"TO PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD,
"BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF DARKNESS IN HIGH PLACES,
"TO PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD,
"BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF DARKNESS IN HIGH PLACES,
THEY KNEW WHAT HE MEANT AND THEY TOOK HIM SERIOUSLY.
AND PAUL WAS ASKING THEM NOT TO JUST STAND AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,
OR FOR A CAUSE THAT JUDGES OTHERS.
THEY KNEW WHAT HE MEANT AND THEY TOOK HIM SERIOUSLY.
AND PAUL WAS ASKING THEM NOT TO JUST STAND AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,
OR FOR A CAUSE THAT JUDGES OTHERS.
HE CALLS THEM TO LIVE A LIFE IN THE MIDST OF THIS COMMUNITY… THINGS LIKE FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES, SHOW LOVE AND COMPASSION TO ALL,
HE CALLS THEM TO LIVE A LIFE IN THE MIDST OF THIS COMMUNITY… THINGS LIKE FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES, SHOW LOVE AND COMPASSION TO ALL,
HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER, BRING YOUR CHILDREN UP IN THE ADMONITION OF THE LORD.
PAUL ADMONISHES THEM TO SINCERITY AND GOOD WILL...
PAUL ADMONISHES THEM TO SINCERITY AND GOOD WILL...
IN SHORT, HE WAS ASKING THEM TO BE LIKE CHRIST IN A CHRIST-DENYING WORLD.
IN SHORT, HE WAS ASKING THEM TO BE LIKE CHRIST IN A CHRIST-DENYING WORLD.
*Let’s turn to Revelation Chapter 2:1-7 Jesus’s letter to Ephesus (church is made up of individuals!)
*Let’s turn to Revelation Chapter 2:1-7 Jesus’s letter to Ephesus (church is made up of individuals!)
7 stars are the angles of the 7 churches. Angle means messenger; this could be referring to the Pastors, Elders or Spiritual being God assigned to that church. 7 lampstands are the 7 churches and Jesus is walking in the midst of them-
7 stars are the angles of the 7 churches. Angle means messenger; this could be referring to the Pastors, Elders or Spiritual being God assigned to that church. 7 lampstands are the 7 churches and Jesus is walking in the midst of them-
Lesson-Jesus is focused on His Church, He is not concerned with the politics and cultural claimant that any church is living in! His church is the means for the light of the gospel to shine.
Lesson-Jesus is focused on His Church, He is not concerned with the politics and cultural claimant that any church is living in! His church is the means for the light of the gospel to shine.
I KNOW! Everything and the motive behind it!
I KNOW! Everything and the motive behind it!
Although the Ephesian church had remained outwardly faithful in formidable
Although the Ephesian church had remained outwardly faithful in formidable
circumstances, Jesus still threatened to remove His favor. The community was doing
circumstances, Jesus still threatened to remove His favor. The community was doing
everything right—maintaining orthodox standards, testing apostles, refusing to tolerate
everything right—maintaining orthodox standards, testing apostles, refusing to tolerate
evil—but they no longer delighted in the grace that they first knew.
evil—but they no longer delighted in the grace that they first knew.
Just think of it: it is possible to serve, sacrifice, and suffer “for My name’s sake” and yet not really love Jesus Christ! The Ephesian believers were so busy maintaining their separation that they were neglecting adoration. Labor is no substitute for love;
Just think of it: it is possible to serve, sacrifice, and suffer “for My name’s sake” and yet not really love Jesus Christ! The Ephesian believers were so busy maintaining their separation that they were neglecting adoration. Labor is no substitute for love;
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
In spite of the privileges it had enjoyed, the church of Ephesus was in danger of losing its light! The church that loses its love will soon lose its light, no matter how doctrinally sound it may be. “I will come” (Rev. 2:5) is not referring to the Lord’s return, but to His coming judgment then and there
In spite of the privileges it had enjoyed, the church of Ephesus was in danger of losing its light! The church that loses its love will soon lose its light, no matter how doctrinally sound it may be. “I will come” (Rev. 2:5) is not referring to the Lord’s return, but to His coming judgment then and there
Jesus gives explicit instructions on how to restore that First Love in verse 5!
Jesus gives explicit instructions on how to restore that First Love in verse 5!
First, we must remember (literally “keep on remembering”) what we have lost and cultivate a desire to regain that close communion once again. Second we must repent—change our minds—and confess our sins to the Lord (1 John 1:9). Third, we must repeat the first works, which suggests restoring the original fellowship that was broken by our sin and neglect
First, we must remember (literally “keep on remembering”) what we have lost and cultivate a desire to regain that close communion once again. Second we must repent—change our minds—and confess our sins to the Lord (1 John 1:9). Third, we must repeat the first works, which suggests restoring the original fellowship that was broken by our sin and neglect
Where is Saltillo Baptist? Where are you individually? Have you lost your first love for Christ? If so Jesus has laid out the path for restoration!
Where is Saltillo Baptist? Where are you individually? Have you lost your first love for Christ? If so Jesus has laid out the path for restoration!