Lost Love
Letters To the Churches-Revelation 2 & # • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 40:08
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Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
The Lord is coming back, soon!
The Lord is coming back, soon!
I don’t care what one’s view of second coming of Jesus is, to some extent. What is essential for us to remember is this: Jesus is coming back, soon. When? Only God knows! (Literally, only God the Father knows).
We are to take to heart God’s Word.
We are to take to heart God’s Word.
As we read just a moment ago, we will be blessed to not just read or hear God’s Word, but when we take to heart what is written.
God’s desire is we are victorious/overcome!
God’s desire is we are victorious/overcome!
The word here can be translated in the following ways: overcome, victor, prevail, conquer, vanquish a foe, etc.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Jesus is sovereign.
Jesus is sovereign.
Verse 1 is key here
Jesus is among us, and knows us!
Jesus is among us, and knows us!
Verses 1 and 2 are key. The knowledge is not just about reading something but of having first hand knowledge of the church. Jesus is intimately concerned about His church!
Ephesus was a good church in many ways.
Ephesus was a good church in many ways.
We need good churches. We need church who continue on and overcome hardships. A faithful church is pleasing to Jesus.
Ephesus has good theology/doctrine.
Ephesus has good theology/doctrine.
We need churches that preach, teach and live good theology. Who live Scripture out even when it is not popular. But Jesus doesn’t just want a church with good doctrine, right statement of beliefs, defenders of “orthodoxy” in the face of a changing world.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
To this I say, “Ouch!”.
Jesus desires we love very well.
Jesus desires we love very well.
Jesus did not just come into this world with truth, or as truth. The Gospel of John says he was full of truth and grace. This church was very good at the truth side of things most scholars believed they stopped loving one another well. We cannot love Jesus and His truth without loving His people.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Question: Do I love the things Jesus loves?
Question: Do I love the things Jesus loves?
We read in verse 6 the church hates the things Jesus hates but I believe the power of that statement is also tied to the implied question before us about loving the things Jesus loves.
Remember, repent, and live differently.
Remember, repent, and live differently.
This is the call of verse 5. The church may not repent and still exist but will fail to be a church.
The reward from the tree of life.
The reward from the tree of life.
The goal of this whole book, especially the letters of chapters 2 and 3, is to remind us to be faithful. God notices when we are faithful! God rewards faithfulness.
Follow Jesus and receive life, today!
Follow Jesus and receive life, today!
There is another tree which gives life. In fact, the only way you can eat of the tree of Life in God’s Paradise, to find refuge and safety there, is to know Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God.