The Church of Ephesus
Jesus praised the Church of Ephesus for its good works, perseverance, discernment against evil, established order, and faithfulness to the Lord. However, He also rebuked them for having lost their first love. Though they upheld sound doctrine and remained committed to truth, they had fallen into performing mere religious duties without love. The Lord desired that the Ephesus Church be restored as a church that truly loves God. Additionally, false apostles and teachers had entered the church, attempting to blend pagan spirituality such as idolatry into the life of the church. For this reason, the Lord instructed them to hold fast to the true gospel and their identity as His church.
Today, the Church of Ephesus represents many modern churches that are busy yet have lost their first love. There are endless programs and ministries, but true worship has been forgotten, and intimacy with the Lord and love for others have become empty words. The Lord warned that unless they return to a living faith rooted in love for God and neighbors, He would remove their lampstand. Yet He also promised that if they returned to their first love and restored their original devotion, they would continue to enjoy the abundant fruit of life in the kingdom of God.
1) Christ as head of the Church of Ephesus
Let us focus on the revelation given to the Church of Ephesus about Christ as the head of the church.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.” (Revelation 2:1)
》Prayer Points
1. The name of Jesus, who died on the cross, rose again, and ascended into heaven, is above every name. God has caused every being in heaven, on earth, and under the earth to bow before the name of Jesus Christ. Let us pray and declare in faith that He is the head of the church and that the church, as His body, is victorious and cannot be overcome by the gates of hell.
21 Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22 And GOD placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:21-23,NIV)
2) The Church of Christ Is a Victorious Church
Let us proclaim in faith, based on the following truth, that the church is victorious and cannot be overcome by the gates of hell.
》Scripture Prayer
(Revelation 2:2–7,NIV) 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.
3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the SPIRIT says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of GOD.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Even if I, as the church, have worked hard and endured much for God until now, it cannot replace wholehearted love for Him. What matters most in me and in our church is not perfect doctrine, conservative tradition, moral purity, zeal for truth, or even worship rituals, but pure love for God. Let us humbly accept the Lord’s rebuke, “You have forsaken your first love,” reflect deeply on where we lost that love, repent, and pray with determination to return to our first deeds.
2. Just as the Church of Ephesus refused to tolerate and rejected the evil deceivers, false apostles, and heretical groups like the Nicolaitans, let us also return to the gospel of the cross of Jesus Christ and pray to love and obey it fully. Let us pray that the church, as the body of Christ, though living in this world, will be filled with grace and truth, always walking in victory, persevering with sincerity, and moving forward together with hope for the day of the Lord.
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