TO THE CHURCH of EPHESUS           	   Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  8-22-99 P.M.  		  Revelation 2:1-7     	
	The city was a metropolitan and commercial area with a population of about 225,000.  
The famous temple of Diana was there.. a huge edifice.. 163' by 342'.. the roof supported 
with 60 columns 6' wide and 60' tall.  There was a theater that would seat 24,000.  The stadium 
also was very large.. Olympic size. 
I.  THEIR CHURCH..  Acts 18:23 - 19:41 
  A. Apollos, along with Aquila and Priscilla, pioneered the work 
  B. Paul came.. and developed the work.. 54-57.. stayed 3 years. 
    1. Became the most powerful influence in the city.. 
    2. A strong ministry... magicians confessed and brought books of magic.. burned them.. 
	Acts 19:19  (50,000 days wages) 
    3. Worship of Diana decreased.. Demetrius caused a riot.. 19:24 
    4. In the space of 2 years.. whole area evangelized.. 19:10 
    5. Caused the temple worship to decline.. Acts 19:23-29 
	- Pliny had been sent by Trajan (105 AD).. wrote back that Christians were so 
	  numerous that heathen temples were almost deserted. 
II.  THEIR COMMENDATION.. Rev.2:2,3 
  A. Their Works.. 
  B. Their Labor.. had not fainted.. all out effort, point of exhaustion 
  C. Their Patience.. courageous acceptance of hardship, suffering, loss 
  D. Their Orthodoxy.. 
    1. Can't stand those who are evil.. high & holy standard of behavior 
    2. Tried those who claimed to be apostles.. discerning.. Acts.20:28.. 
    3. Hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes.. 6 led to immorality.. 
	- The Lord hated those deeds too! 
III.  THEIR CENSURE.. 4 
  A. It Came From The Lord Himself.. vs.1 
    1. He who walks in their midst.. 
    2. He who holds the "messengers" in His hand 
  B. It Came From The One Who "Knows".. 2 
  C. It Came In The Form of an Accusation.. 
	"I have something against you" - "you have left your first love"
    1. That enthusiasm for evangelism.. born of a love for God and those for whom Christ gave His life.
	 - Happens often in 2nd generation Christians.. Jer.2:2-13; Ezek.16:8-15 
    2. That vital love relationship with Christ.. what happens next ?? 
	- Opens the door to spiritual apathy  -  indifference to others -  love for the world  
	-  compromise with evil.. etc. 
 ** They looked good on the outside.. but a deadly cancer was growing... 
IV.  THEIR CORRECTION.. 5 
  A. The Solution.. 
    1. Remember from whence you are fallen.. 
	- Forgetfulness is often the first stage of decline.. 
    2. Repent.. turn from old ways.. reject sin of lovelessness 
    3. Return.. to your first works.. a demonstration of true repentance 
	- outward service & orthodoxy cannot make up for a cold heart 
 ** He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches...
	  each message was also for the others !! 
  B. The Threat.. (or else).. (except).. change or be chastened !! 
    1. I will come quickly... to the local scene.. 
    2. I will remove your candlestick.. your light.. influence.. etc. 
V.  THEIR COMFORT.. 7 
  A. It is Promised To The Overcomers.. 
    1. Those who take to heart His correction.. and act upon it 
    2. Those who were true when all around them is falsehood 
    3. Those who will not turn back even in the face of persecution or death. 
  B. It Comes From Their Lord... 
    1. I Will Give... to eat of the tree of life.. in paradise of God 
 ** Prov 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV) 
 
HOW DO WE (YOU AND I) MEASURE UP ???  
   IS THERE PERFORMANCE WITHOUT LOVE? 
   IS THERE ZEAL AND ORTHODOXY... BUT NO REAL LOVE?? 
OH LORD.. FORGIVE ME... AND ENABLE ME TO TRULY LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART, MIND, BODY, 
AND STRENGTH.. AND MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSELF!! AMEN!!