That Loving Feeling
A Sermon by Pastor R. D. Johnson
Preached at the Ann Arbor, MI Free Methodist Church
Scripture Text:
Revelation 2:1-7 January 16, 2011
Sermon #0236
Priority video (4:33)
God must be your number one priority in life. Is He your highest priority?
God was priority number one in the first century church, but like today, the churches that
were spread out around the Roman Empire were constantly in danger of conforming to their
world rather than being transformed by God.
Revelation begins with a close look at 7 churches in Asia Minor and the problems each had
being transformed, each suffering in some way, a conformity to the world. They struggled as
churches today struggle with keeping God in first place.
Last week we looked at the last of the churches, Laodicea, the only one of the churches that
Jesus had nothing good to say about. Today we consider the first, Ephesus, which those who
see the 7 churches as analogous to the history of Christianity would say represents the early
church (first century – The Apostolic Church).
Ephesus was a very important coastal city off the coast of the Aegean Sea and one end point
for a royal road across Asia minor. By the time of the Roman Republic, Ephesus was firmly
established as the capitol of Asia Minor. During his missionary travels, Paul planted the
church at Ephesus. And today it boasts some of the most extensive Roman ruins that you can
see in the entire world.
The Ephesians church is also the only one of the seven that had another book of the New
Testament written to it. And so we know a bit more about that church. It was a strong church
that opposed conformity to the world with all its might. It rejected false religions and sinful
behaviors. It stood up to idolatry and tested those who would call themselves apostles. It was
a church that knew the truth and could root out falsehood. And yet this mature and faithful
church was missing something.
It was to this church that Paul wrote about the Armor of God and they wore it well, all but
one piece. They had hope and salvation, they were strong in the truth and the use of the Bible
to contend for the faith. They worked with patient endurance and were always ready with the
gospel to overcome false religion. Given all that, you could probably tell me what piece of
the armor they weren’t wearing.
The Armor of God as you know consists of a helmet, a shield, a breastplate, a belt, a sword
and shoes. Consider which piece you believe the church was missing as we see what the
Spirit said to the church.
Open your bible with me to Revelation 2:1-7. The primary application of these verses is to
the church, but it can also apply to the family and to the individual believer. So think about it
in each of those terms as we read this morning.
Is God in Control?
"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. – Revelation 2:1
Stop here and consider this imagery. What does it mean?
 God holds the angels in His hand – providing leadership, guidance, protection, and
instruction to the churches He walks among!
 God is in Control, ultimate and deserves our greatest attention and obedience
Does God call the shots in our church? Does God have authority in your family? Does God
command your life as priority number one?
The Ephesians Church certainly exhibited this:
"'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. – Revelation 2:2-3
Imagine Jesus saying these things about our church? Do you suppose He could have said all
that about us? That we patiently endure, that we don’t tolerate evil, that we test what we are
taught to find it true or false, and that we do not grow weary…
What about in our families? Do we serve one another? Are we studying together to know the
truth? Do we continue to do good to one another?
And how about you individually as a follower of Christ? Does Christ have your heart?
The sad truth is that all these outward actions and commitments could be true and yet the
heart not belonging to Jesus. Probably the worst obstacle to holiness in our Christian walk is
religion in our attitude. Right behavior can easily mask a lack of love.
Do We Have the Love?
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
– Revelation 2:4
The Church in Ephesus had lost heart. And what piece of armor protects and guards the heart
but the breastplate. In that letter to the Ephesians he had warned them:
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, - Ephesians 6:14
The purpose of the breastplate for a soldier was to protect the vital areas of the body.
The most vital organ in the body is the heart just as the most vital element of Christianity is
Love. The church had left its heart unguarded.
In His sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds
that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matt 5:20
The 7 woes of Matthew chapter 23 warn the Pharisees that they have focuses only on
outward regulations and ignored the inward righteousness that God look for.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin,
and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.
These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. – Matthew 23:23
The outward practices and obedience is important, but the inward more so.
Are We Doing the Works?
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. Yet
this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. – Revelation 2:5-6
The term Nicolaitans comes from two Greek words:
1.) Niko = to conquer or overthrow 2.) Laso = the people or the laity
When put together means "Victory over the people (laity) or to Conquer the Laity."
Nicolaitism sought to establish an ecclesiastical order that would rule the people, to have a
ruling class in the Church that dominated the people or "the laity"
How is the heart of the Ann Arbor Free Methodist Church?
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who
conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'
– Revelation 2:7