“The Danger of a Neglected Love” Text: Revelation 2:1—7 Pastor Dave Greenhood | January 17, 2021

Intro:

First of the seven churches to be established

By the Apostle Paul … Acts 19 … AD 52

1st Church of Ephesus … a lampstand whose wick was well trimmed

City of Ephesus

Key Truth: Devotion to Jesus is a big deal to Jesus!

I. The Salutation of this Letter v. 1

Carrying this letter “the messenger”

Coming from “the One” Cr. vs. 5, 16, 20b

“Write” … LXX “Thus says the Lord”

“The One … who walks among the seven golden lampstands”

Insight? Jesus is ever present and aware from within the midst of His Church … each local

gathering of His people.

II. The Evaluation of this Letter vs. 2-4, 6

A. Pay attention to what is commended vs. 2-3, 6

Their Service

“your works”

“your labor”

“your endurance”

Their Discernment

“I know … that you cannot tolerate evil”

“Nicolaitans”

Their Identification

“because of My name”

Letters to the

Seven Churches

The Danger of a Neglected Love—page 2

B. Now pay attention to what is condemned v. 4

“But I have this against you”

“you have abandoned the love you had at first”

Deuteronomy 6:5

III. The Exhortation within this Letter v. 5

A. Remember = “bring back to your mind”

B. Repent = “turn around … away from and to”

C. Repeat = “do the works you did at first”

D. Remove = “your lampstand from its place”

Insight? When the people of Jesus neglect their “relational doing” of love for Jesus,

the outcome of spiritual irrelevancy exists as judgment from Him.

III. The Promise at the end of this Letter v. 7

“Anyone who has an ear should listen”

“what the Spirit says to the churches”

“to the one who overcomes”

“the right to eat from the tree of life … ”

Insight? Since we are going to spend eternity with Jesus … the One who saved us … why would we

neglect our “relational doing” in love for Him RIGHT NOW … RIGHT HERE?