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| Pastor Michael Adetunji |
Text: Revelation 2:1-7
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
PREAMBLE
The evaluation of Jesus Christ, the Owner of the church about the Ephesian Christians as received by Apostle John shall be the focal point of this piece. We shall be inferring some lessons about life and godliness as we engage in Christian service. I pray the Lord shall grant all readers divine illumination and insight into His word in Jesus’ name.
A BRIEF HIGHLIGHT OF THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS
The word Ephesus means desirable; in many ways, it was certainly a desirable place to live.
In the ancient world, Ephesus was a centre of travel and commerce. The city was one of the greatest seaports of the ancient world.
On Paul’s second missionary journey (A.D. 52), he visited Ephesus after leaving Corinth and planted the church there (Acts 18:19).
On Paul’s third missionary journey (A.D. 54-56), Paul spent two and three years teaching in the city (Acts 19:8-10). He spent his time addressing false doctrines and pagan practices.
Paul’s teaching in the rented school of Tyrannus was so successful that those who practiced magic brought their books and burned them as an act of repentance (Acts 19:18-20).
Paul left for Macedonia and several months later (A.D. 57), he met with the Ephesian elders on the nearby island of Miletus and made his farewell address (Acts 20).
About a decade after the church had been started, Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians commending their faith and love (A.D. 62).
Tradition says that Ephesus became the home of the Apostle John and that he wrote the three epistles (1, 2, and 3 John) and the book of Revelation attributed to him.
Aside from growing a bit stagnant in their fervour for God, they resisted wicked practices, endured persecution, and weeded out false apostles from destroying their church.
They hate the practices of a group called the Nicolaitans, which God also appears to hate (Rev. 2:6).
The New Testament traces the full history of the church in Ephesus from its founding in Acts 18 to facing the rebuke of Jesus in Revelation 2:1-7.
THE COMMENDATIONS OF THE EPHESIAN CHURCH (Rev. 2:2)
Jesus Christ dictated a brief letter to the Ephesian church to the Apostle John in a vision on the island of Patmos, about 35 years after Paul's final communication with that congregation. 35 years have passed. Numerous early converts had since passed away. However, they had been replaced by their offspring and other more recent converts. The letter that the Lord Jesus sends to them is replete with compliments and admiration for them.
After a brief introduction of the Savior in verse 1, this praise is the first thing said.
Their Work and Labour
They gave all they had to the Lord, and they were worn out. The phrase means "toil with great exertion." It's a difficult task, a demanding activity. It takes effort. Ephesus' church resembled a beehive of activity. They were constantly serving the Lord in some way. It was breathtaking to witness.
Every committee, organisation, agency, and fellowship simply buzzed in this busy, dynamic church. There was never a lack of labourers; there were always willing volunteers. Additionally, it wasn't an easy task. It required a lot of physical effort as well as an attitude of sacrifice. The Ephesian church's pastor had a lot to be grateful for. He had a productive congregation. They weren't trying to make a name for themselves by doing great work. They were working for the Lord, according to verse 3. They weren't seeking adulation, notoriety, or fame. It is admirable that they were doing this in the Lord's name.
Their Patience/Perseverance
"I know your works and your labour and your patience." The term has the meaning "endurance." These people had experienced persecution and hardship, but they also developed the patience and stamina to endure it. The term "patience" that John employed here has this connotation. Acts 19 describes an eruption of anti-Christian sentiment in Ephesus, but this was not an uncommon event. The hatred persisted and occasionally erupted into new acts of violence and resistance over the years. Families that identify as Christians feel the pressure. Christian businessmen have to face many challenges. The Christian church also faced the effects of these issues. There was only patient endurance 35 years later, not discouragement or despondency.
SOME MYSTERIES ABOUT WORK
Work can be defined as the activity involving mental or physical effort done to achieve a purpose or result.
Scientifically speaking, work is the transfer of energy by a force acting on an object as it is displaced or Work is said to be done when a force (push or pull) applied to an object causes a displacement of the object.
The formula for Work (W) in Physics is Force (f) times Distance (d) i.e. W = f x d or f x d x cos θ
where θ is the angle between the force and the displacement.
Work demands Energy.
Work can bring a Change (Displacement).
Work has Extent (Distance)
Work is Time-bound (Acts 20:24; Jn. 9:4).
A Man’s Worth is known by his Works.
Work brings about Recognition, Identification, or Revelation.
Work has a Propensity for Reward (2 Chron. 15:7; Eph. 6:6-8).
Work is a demonstration of faith (Jas. 2:18).
Deeds are the outer reflection of this inner transformation. They are the evidence of a heart that has been and is continually being transformed and renewed by God.
REMEDIES TO THE CRITICISM OF THE EPHESIAN CHURCH: LESSONS FOR TODAY’S CHURCH
Remember where you have fallen.
Repent of your sins.
Return to first love.
Everything loses its true meaning when love for Christ wanes. Work is no longer inspired by faith but rather becomes mechanistic. Instead of being driven by a passionate love for Christ, work becomes mandatory. Instead of being an active expectation sustained by hope, patience degenerates into complacency. Instead of being a deliberate exercise of the will to maintain communion with God and testimony with humanity, staying away from sin becomes a source of pride.
Orthodoxy and sound theology deteriorate into icy intellectualism or hysterical heresy. They reflected on how their standing among the lost had diminished in the past. Their hearts were broken as they thought about how lifeless their worship services were, how uninspired their singing was, and how repetitive their prayers and testimonies were.
CONCLUSION
If there must be Restoration and Revival, there must be Remembrance, Repentance, and Returning (Rev. 2:4-5). Beloved, as good as work is, and its potency to determine the worth of a man, we must be careful to ensure that we do the work of God according to prescription lest we become guilty on the day of evaluation. You are your work, your work is you!
The Lord shall amplify His word in your heart in Jesus' name.