THE DANGER OF SITTING ON ONE’S LAURELS

Revelation 2:1-7
Bob Bonner
September 18, 2005

Early last November, my children began asking me what I wanted for my birthday and for Christmas since both dates fall fairly close together. At the time, I couldn’t think of anything I really needed or wanted...at least not anything they could afford to purchase. But come the first of December, something did come up that I really wanted, and maybe if they all went in together, they could get me this state of the art gadget. What I wanted was an Apple 20gb IPOD.

In case you don’t know what an Apple IPOD is, let me show you. This IPOD right now holds four solid days of my favorite music all categorized by genre, several audio sermons that I have downloaded from the internet, an audio version of the entire NIV Bible and three fictional “Who done it?” best seller books. All of that takes up only one tenth of the memory space on this IPOD. Furthermore, I can plug this into any home or car stereo and listen to whatever is on this IPOD. And, it has other uses as well.

I wanted one of these devices because when I drive on long trips, listening to Scripture or books really makes the time fly by. Or, when my wife asks me to go shopping for clothes at the Mall, (which rates just second to having to go to the dentist to have my teeth drilled) or when my eyes are tired and I still want to read a book, I really enjoy listening to the various items I have stored on this IPOD.

But a few weeks after Christmas, several other makers of similar products announced that they were coming out with a newer and better model. Bill Gates announced that Microsoft would be soon releasing its own “IPOD,” except theirs would be smaller and also it would be a phone, digital camera, and Palm Pilot all wrapped up in one device for almost the same price. Instantly, upon this announcement, even though Microsoft’s version of the IPOD wouldn’t be out for more than a year, Apple Computer’s stock fell. Why? Because everybody who knows anything about business knows that you cannot rest on your latest accomplishments. You must keep improving your product and expanding its uses, or you will be out of business in no time.

This morning, as we look at Revelation 2:1-7, we are going to see that just as it is true in business, it is also true for one’s spiritual life; that is: It’s dangerous to rest or depend upon one’s past accomplishments to bring present or future blessing to your life! Or, to put it another way, it is dangerous to sit on your laurels.

We will begin looking at the second major section in the book of Revelation, chapters 2-3, which concern seven letters that Jesus wants John to write, send and have read in the seven specific churches in Asia Minor. It is my conviction that out of all the known churches at the time, Jesus chose to write only to these seven churches because, within these seven churches, will be found every possible spiritual condition of the contemporary church, regardless of the season of church history in which one may find himself living. In general these letters to the seven churches address the problems inherent to all churches throughout church history.

These seven churches were real churches which deserved commendation and rebuke from Jesus, for their service or lack of service to Jesus Christ and His primary purpose for their existence.

On the other hand, no matter what church you and I belong to, we will discover that we fit somewhere in the midst of one of these churches represented in these seven letters. When we finish studying these two chapters, there will be three very clear lessons that we will take away with us. First, there is no such thing as the perfect church or the church that has permanently arrived. Rather, we will see that every local church will always be wrestling with their own spiritual growth as they struggle to keep the “main thing” the main thing!

No matter what church you are a part of, you will probably be able to identify it with one of the seven mentioned here. Your church will not fail if you take seriously Jesus’ words of exhortation to these seven churches. Keep in mind, the Church, the body of Christ, is made up of people and is only as strong as its weakest link. That’s probably why most people, when they read about these churches, recognize something of their own lives represented in each of these churches. Once again, the first lesson we can take from these chapters is that no one person or congregation is perfect or has “arrived” while they are yet living here on earth.

The second lesson we will take away from the study of these two chapters is based on the promise of blessing found in chapter 1 verse 3. That blessing was and is a promise for those churches and individuals who continually come back to this book, read it often, and heed what it says, living their daily lives based on what the future promises to hold. Hence, if you want to be blessed in this life and the next, read this book often to keep Christ’s goal for your life in mind. When you read this book, ask yourself, “Am I really about my Savior’s business, or am I just giving lip service to it?”

As we look at the seven churches mentioned in these next two chapters, notice that only one out of the seven churches was given a passing grade, and in the end, even that church failed to fulfill the purpose for which Jesus Christ raised up the church in the first place.

By the way, what is the ultimate purpose of the church? It is to go into all the world and call people to worship and follow after Jesus Christ. So what does the failure of all seven of these churches tell us? There is no church that Jesus Christ won’t close down if it doesn’t fulfill its calling.

As we consider each of these seven churches, keep in mind that these churches in Asia Minor, along with the other churches planted there, were facing serious persecution from their government and other religions. Hence, it was important that, if these churches wanted to be successful in reaching Asia for Christ, that they be rightly related to the Lord and to each other. It was important that they work hard at helping one another grow and become all they could be for the Lord in their community. They are pictured as seven separate lampstands, each giving light in a dark world. The more lampstands that remained lit, the brighter the light.

Furthermore, keep in mind that Jesus Christ is the only Lord over the Church. Therefore He is the only one who has the right to tell us what is wrong with us and what we should do about it. Only the head of the Church, Jesus Christ, can accurately inspect each church and each individual and know our true condition, because He sees the internals, not only the externals. Buildings, numbers, programs and even a sense of community do not always mean the Church is fulfilling Christ’s purposes. We can see that in these letters. We must be careful not to play the final authority or judge over our own lives or the church we attend.

In these special messages to the seven churches in Asia Minor, the Lord gave each assembly an “X-ray” of its spiritual condition. Though each letter is different, the letters have several similarities. In each one we see that:

• Jesus knows their works
• Jesus includes a promise to those who “overcome.”
• Jesus gives an exhortation.
• Each letter includes a unique description of Christ that is related to the message which follows.
• Each letter includes a commendation (except the letter to Laodicea).
• Each letter includes a rebuke (except the letters to Smyrna and Philadelphia).

• It will become obvious to the reader, that Jesus did not intend for these seven letters to be read and considered by just these first century churches. Jesus intended for all the churches of all ages to read these messages, evaluate themselves, and to benefit from their instruction.

Without further delay, let’s read Jesus’ words to the Church at Ephesus. “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you repent. Yet this you do 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 grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’”

According to chapter 1:20, Jesus tells us that the seven stars represent the seven angels of the seven churches. As I mentioned last time, this term “angel” literally means “messenger” and refers not to angelic beings, but to human beings, who were probably the leaders of the seven churches, This first letter is addressed to the “messenger” of the church at Ephesus who was reading this letter to the Ephesians to his respective congregation.

The city of Ephesus was originally located on a chief port of Asia Minor. Its harbor changed over the years due to silt flowing in and pushing the harbor out to sea, leaving the city where it is now, several miles inland and abandoned. This shifting geographical character of the city makes for an excellent picture of what happened spiritually to the church at Ephesus. Over the years, it shifted spiritually away from Christ to the point that it was no longer useful or able to function for the purpose for which Christ created it.

In John’s time, Ephesus was the metropolis of Asia, the center of trade and business. It was a San Francisco or New York City of the known world. Because it was a hub of worldwide trade, it was also a center of religious studies. It was a pagan city with idolatry and immorality dominating its religious and social life. It is the site of the temple of Artemis, with its multi-breasted colossal statue to a goddess of sex and fertility. During its heyday, it had a population of 500 thousand. It had a Roman amphitheater that held 25 thousand, with an acoustical design that eliminated the need for amplification.

Before this letter was sent to the church at Ephesus, it had been faithful in its service to Jesus for more than 40 years. It had multiplied into several local churches in one city. It was impacting its city for Christ. Overseeing the birthing and growth of the church at Ephesus were some of the biggest spiritual leaders of the day: the Apostle Paul, Timothy, and the Apostle John, himself.

But now, what spiritual condition was this church in? In verses 2, 3, and 6 we read of Jesus’ approval and affirming remarks concerning this church and its ministry. First, Jesus affirms them by acknowledging, “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance...” Jesus is saying to them, “I know that you haven’t been lazy. You have just about burned yourselves out doing my work.” There were no couch potatoes in this bunch! Just activists. They reached out to people in need, the homeless, the flood victims of their day and the outcast.

The term “perseverance” refers to the concept of never giving up, tireless in their efforts, constantly leaning forward. In spite of the pressures of ministry and the heaviness of their responsibilities, not just the leadership, but every member of that local church remained faithful. In short, Jesus is describing them as tirelessly hardworking believers.

Second, Jesus affirmed them for not tolerating “evil men.” They did not allow unscrupulous businessmen, men with a roving eye for women, or persons living in immoral relationships, or drunkards or dope addicts to claim to be part of their church and followers of Jesus Christ. It’s not that they did not welcome unbelievers with these problems to be among them. They just made sure that those who claimed to be followers of Jesus Christ were morally sound believers. They had high standards of church discipline.

Third, Jesus tells us that they put their religious leaders to the test. They made sure that whoever was a spiritual leader must be doctrinally correct.

You might remember that the Apostle Paul had warned the Ephesian elders that false teachers would come in from the outside and even arise from within the church, and later, the Apostle John had instructed them to “try the spirits.” And indeed, false ministers came and tried to disrupt the church. But Jesus affirms them, telling them they have done well to protect the church from false teachers. He affirmed them for being made up of doctrinally sound believers.

Next, in verse 3, Jesus affirmed them for persevering and enduring “for My name’s sake.” Here, Jesus is referring to their steadfastness under trials and persecution. They kept going when the going was tough. They endured under trials.

Christ’s last affirmation of the church at Ephesus is given in verse 6. He declares that they hated “the deeds of the Nicolaitans.” It is difficult to determine exactly what Jesus meant by this, and what the Nicolaitans were doing that was wrong. What we do know is that here and in 2:14-15, they were identified with heresy or being of a heretical sect.

The Greek word, “Nicolaitans” gives us a strong clue as to what this group’s deeds entailed. The word means “conquering of the people.” Some hold that these were those who came in and took away from the people their ministries and gave them to the professional clergy. The clergy then began to “lord it over” the rest of the people, telling them what ministries they could be a part of and how they could serve Christ. They further stripped people of their freedom in Christ, telling others what social and spiritual activities they could participate in. In the end, this led the people to trust in the clergy alone, rather than first learning to go to Jesus on their own and serving Him freely with their lives.

But the Christians at Ephesus rejected the Nicolaitans, and learned to “submit to one another,” and out of love, encouraged every member to seek Christ first and to fulfill their role in the body by using their gifts.

By this point, the reader gets the idea that this is a great church! Any newcomer to town looking to join a church more than likely would have felt right at home there. Maybe they would have thought that they had found the perfect church. It is a church filled with believers that have been plenty active in ministry, hardworking, caring for one another with a “never-say-die” attitude and their doctrine is sound. But there is only one problem. And because of that problem, they are about to have the Lord remove His blessing from them. Why? What’s the problem? We read of Jesus’ rebuke, His accusation against them in verse 4. He states, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

First, notice that Jesus does not say, “You have no love for me.” For, they obviously did have some love for Him or they wouldn’t have been doing all that they were doing. What He did say was they had “left their first love.” What’s that mean? “First” is used here in the sense of “chief” or “primary” or “priority” love.

Have you ever been in love? Typically, when you are first smitten with the love bug, romance, special attention, doing anything to please the other person is the order of the day. First love is tender, devoted, filled with wonder and amazement. It is characterized by thankfulness and yearning, always wanting to be near the person. Oftentimes, much money is freely spent on “first loves.” But most indicative of a first love is that a great deal of consideration and deference is shown to the beloved’s interests. John Wesley declared the passion of first love when he wrote the words, “Amazing love, how can it be, that thou my God shouldst die for me!”

But then, sadly, for too many couples, as soon as marriage takes place, so does taking one’s spouse for granted. The sense that “your wish is my command” or that the other person and their wishes were your priority gets lost. Romance and obvious signs of devotion disappear. Work, hobbies, children and vacations fill the void.

Spiritually, we do the same thing with our love for Christ. Martha was so busy working for the Lord, she spent little time with Him or making sure she was focused on what was most important to Him. She had traded in what was best for what was a good thing.

Spiritual pride in one’s service to God, oftentimes replaces a pure spiritual relationship with Jesus. Activity replaces fellowship with Him. When we don’t engage in time alone with the Lord, we stop hearing what really pounds away at His heart.

By the way, what does pound away at Christ’s heart? What was it that brought Him to earth in the first place? To seek and to save the lost. What was His final instruction to us before He ascended into heaven? To be His witnesses to the end of the earth, to lead people to Christ! In the mind of our beloved Savior, that has been, and always will be, the mission of the Church: Reach the lost.

But when we get busy with activity, when we trade the time to be with Him and commune alone with Him, for time to get things done that are on our agenda, whether they be spiritually-related tasks, job-related tasks or family-related tasks, the first thing to go in our first love with Christ is that sharing of Christ’s passion for the lost...His first love. When we lose sight of our primary love for Christ, we lose sight of His primary mission for us to be here on earth.

People can be as straight as a gun barrel doctrinally, but as empty as a gun barrel spiritually, revealed in their lack of love toward the lost. They are more interested in winning a doctrinal argument, proving that a cult member is out to lunch, than in first loving the cult member for who he is, winning his trust so that he can see Jesus for who He really is and understand Him for what He says.

So how does this happen, the losing of the first love? It does not happen by accident. Notice Christ’s words, “You have left...” This refers to intentional, not accidental leaving. Deliberate choices have been made. The order of the words in the original is especially emphatic, in that it literally states, “your first love you have left.” The reality of knowing Jesus, and in response, obeying Jesus’ command to call the world to worship and follow after Him had been replaced with other things. As a result, the church at Ephesus lacked the fervency it once had for reaching the lost, that which really moves the Savior’s heart.

Understand what Jesus is saying to you here. He is saying, “It is possible to serve, sacrifice, and suffer “for My name’s sake” and yet not really love Me!” That was just the case for the church at Ephesus.

Wanting them to snap out of it and to recover their first-love heart for Him, Jesus gives them three steps to recovery in verse 5.

First, Jesus says, “Stop. Take a break. Reflect back. Remember. What were you like when you were first saved? Where was your focus? What were you doing? What was your commitment level? Were you not excited about meeting Jesus and knowing His forgiveness and love? Could you be kept quiet from sharing with others what He meant to you? Didn’t you fervently pray for your lost friends and family members? Are you still doing those same things? If not, why not? What or who has stolen or replaced your first love?”

Second, Jesus says once you realize that you have drifted away from Him and have drifted away from what matters to Him most...“REPENT.” Turn back in heart, turn back in purpose, and return to your first practices of devotion to the love of your life.

Then, third, Jesus tells us to “return to those things you did at first.” Just like in a marriage...go back to the place when you began to lose the passion. What caused the passion in the first place? Practice again those “first works”. Just like in recovering your lost passion in marriage, do those things that once brought joy and excitement in your walk with Christ. What deeds did you do at first, after you met Jesus? Did you tell everybody about your new-found love for Jesus? Did you pray for the lost? Did you look for opportunities to share Christ with others? Did you sacrificially give when He brought a need before you? Then return to doing those deeds you did at first.

Because if you don’t return to your first love, Jesus says he will “remove your lampstand.” Because the church at Ephesus was no longer impacting its community, no longer useful for its intended purpose, to reach the lost, Jesus closed it down. And in the same way, God will close down a church, this church, a life, my life, if I don’t continually return to making Him and His first love...the love for the lost, my first love, the priority of my life.

Some people think that it would never be God’s will to close down a church. But He did just that with every one of the seven churches mentioned in these two chapters. Here are two quick principles we can draw from this passage.

If I say I love Jesus, then I must love, or consider it a priority of my life to love, what’s most important to Him. If I am to be a light of Christ to the lost, I will only be such if I am deeply in love with Jesus.

Second, we learn this from the failure of the church at Ephesus:

Jesus finishes this letter, in verse 7 with an alarm. He speaks personally to each individual listener to this letter, because “first love” is a personal matter. We are saved, one by one and likewise, we can only be restored one by one. Jesus uses a phrase that describes those individuals who take seriously His words and are restored. He refers to them as “he who overcomes.” In this context, an “overcomer” is not someone who has broken a bad habit or found freedom from a hurt or hang up. Neither is an overcomer part of an elite spiritual group, but rather an overcomer is a normal Christian who follows Christ’s three steps to recovery and is restored to His first love.

In turn, to those who overcome, Jesus promises them “the tree of life” which was first mentioned in Genesis 2. “The tree of life” does not just refer to eternal life, but that present, vibrant, intimate walk with God one can experience right now, regardless of the persecution, trials or hurts one may be presently undergoing. It is this “tree of life” that feeds the inner man. It is that comforting sense that, although I might not like the situation I find myself in, I still know I am deeply loved by Jesus and He has not abandoned me.

Sadly, although some at Ephesus may have responded to Christ’s letter, most did not. They continued to neglect Jesus Christ and His calling upon their lives to reach the lost. These are heavy words that cause me to think deeply about my own condition, never wanting to take anything for granted.

I close with these words of Jesus from Mark 7:6-7, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” In light of what we have looked at concerning the church at Ephesus, could Jesus say this of me, you or us as a church? Do we truly honor Him and that which is most important to Him as our first love? How serious are we about evangelism or introducing others to Jesus? Or, do we hold most dear that which is familiar, like our worship services and then, upon leaving here to enter the world, do we show that our worship was vain worship, evidenced by our primary concern being for our own personal agenda, rather than for Jesus’ first love, the lost that live around us?

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