Church of Ephesus - First Love

 Revelation 2:1-5

“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.

 “‘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.  I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  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.”

John captures Jesus’ message to the church of Ephesus.  John had spent time in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) teaching and preaching throughout his Ministry.  As one of the seven churches referenced in Revelations 1, Jesus has a very specific prophetic message for them based on their current actions and standing in the 1st century.

Ephesus was known as a large city, the center of merchant trade, culture, and travel.  Their beliefs centered on Greek and Roman gods.  Their worship was centered around the temple of Artemis, the Greek fertility goddess, also known as the Roman goddess Diana.  She was seen as the protector, savior, and mother patron of the city of Ephesus.  Paul, the Apostle, wrote of Ephesus in Acts 19, as well as the book of Ephesians.  Paul and John had both spent significant time building up the Christian church in Ephesus in the mid-1st century, around 50AD.

The church played a strategic part in the development and spread of the early church.  Paul used Ephesus as a central location for his evangelical ministry throughout the Greek and Roman peninsulas along the Mediterranean.  Their love of Jesus Christ, spreading His word, and turning from the local beliefs was captured throughout Acts, Ephesians, and other letters from Paul in the New Testament.

Jesus’ letter to the church of Ephesus was direct and to the point.  Their focus on hard work for the ministry, patience and endurance in living amongst those worshipping other gods, as well as calling out the false teachers and leaders.  These were all called out by Jesus as the strength of the church at Ephesus.  Then, He transitions in v. 4 “but, I have this against you”, to which Jesus calls out that they have abandoned their “first love”.  They have become so busy in their daily work for the church that they are no longer acting with love of Christ, but rather as a duty.

We are all guilty of this at some point in our Christian walk.  We fall in love with Christ and begin telling others about this wonderful love we have found.  Then, we get absorbed in our busyness and daily tasks, and we fail to remain “on fire” to spread His love to others.  But, just as Jesus tells those in Ephesus, there is a way for redemption.  Remember, Repent, and Do.

“Remember” why you fell in love with Jesus.

“Repent” (turn away) from the actions that have pulled you away.

“Return to do” the things you did when you first came to Christ. 

Jesus is clear that they need to return to their first love, or He will remove their lampstand.  He will remove the church in Ephesus altogether if they do not change.  We are no different.  We are taught through the gospels (Matthew 22) to love God and to love others as God loves us.  Jesus tells us this is the most important of all the 10 Commandments.  

We can do great works and persevere through trials and still lose sight of loving God. Saying or doing the right thing is meaningless without love (as we are taught in 1 Corinthians 13).  We must not forsake our first love, and we must continue doing the things that encourage our love for God.