Text:
Rev. 2: 1 – 7
Introduction:
The Devil didn’t bother the Laodecians.
He always attacks the church that is doing business for God…. This
was not a weak church.
NOTICE:
I.
IT WAS A FORTIFIED CHURCH…Fortified with the greatest preaching and
preachers of that day.
A.
Fortified by
Paul’s Ministry…
1.
His Example… Acts 20
-
His
Witnessing… vs. 20 – 21
Acts
20:20 And how I kept back
nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught
you publicly, and from house to house,
Acts
20:21 Testifying both to the
Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ.
-
His
Weeping… vs. 31
Acts
20:31 Therefore watch, and
remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one
night and day with tears.
-
His
Warning… vs. 28 –30
Acts
20:28 Take heed therefore unto
yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his
own blood.
Acts
20:29 For I know this, that
after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the
flock.
Acts
20:30 Also of your own selves
shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after
them.
2.
His Epistle… Book of Ephesians
a.
Ch. 1 – 3 he talks about their wealth
b.
Ch. 4 – 5 he talks about their walk
c.
Ch. 6 he talks about their warfare
B.
Fortified by Timothy’s Ministry…. I Tim. 1: 3-4
1
Tim 1:3 As I besought thee to
abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest
charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1
Tim 1:4 Neither give heed to
fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly
edifying which is in faith: so do.
C.
Fortified by John’s Ministry… III John
12
3
John 1:12 Demetrius hath good
report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record;
and ye know that our record is true.
II.
IT WAS A FUNCTIONING CHURCH…
A.
Notice its operations… vs. 2a
Rev
2:2a …. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou
canst not bear them which are evil:
B.
Notice its order… vs. 2b
Rev.
2:2b….and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not,
and hast found them liars:
C.
Notice its
outreach… vs. 3
Rev
2:3 And hast borne, and hast
patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
III.
IT WAS A FAILING CHURCH
A.
Notice what was missing…Cp carefully v 2a with I Thess. 1:3
1
Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of
love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and
our Father;
The
Church at Ephesus had:
1.
A work, but not a work of faith.
2. A labor, but not a labor of love.
3. A patience, but not a patience of hope.
B.
Notice what was the matter… vs. 4
It had left its first love…
Rev
2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast
left thy first love.
IV.
IT WAS A FORGOTTEN CHURCH… vs. 5
Rev
2:5 Remember therefore from
whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will
come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place,
except thou repent.
A. Its opportunity… Remember, Repent, Repeat
B. Its opinion… or Else
C.
Its outcome… History tell us that the church did not repent, and
God wrote Ichabod over the door.
