The “Shape” of Each Letter
A Portrait of Christ.
A Picture of the Church as Jesus Sees Her.
A Prescription for Faithfulness.
A Promise to Those Who Overcome.
A Portrait of Christ
Revelation 2:1
2 “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.
He alone is the Guardian of His Kingdom!
He walks among us.
He holds us in his hands.
He tends our “lamps,” determining the light of our lives.
A Picture of the Church
Revelation 2:2-4
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. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
She is at risk of missing her calling.
Defending truth while neglecting love.
Presenting Christ’s Kingdom as a garrison (exclusive) rather than a gateway (inclusive).
A Prescription for Faithfulness
Revelation 2:5
5 Remember 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.
Remember, Repent, and Return!
Remember what it was like when you were first filled with His Spirit.
Jeremiah 2:1-2
2 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus, says the Lord, “I remember the devotion of your youth,your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.”
Turn away from your need to be in control.
Go back to doing what Jesus asked of His followers, love Him and love one another.
Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
The Promise for Those who Overcome?
Revelation 2:7
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Life Eternal!
Not just knowledge of Jesus but knowing Him.
Not just life forever but life abundant.
“Eternity is in session now!” (Dallas Willard)
Pastor’s Challenge
How do you relate to a world around you that does not know or respect Jesus?
Are a garrison, always quick to defend and exclude, or are you a gateway, inviting people into the love of Jesus regardless of their beliefs and/or circumstances?
This week, ask God to help you remember what it was like to first encounter Jesus’ love. Ask Him to work in you and in our church, so that we never forget or neglect that priority.