VII, Part 2: Ephesus // Eric Robertson

What happens when a church does all the right things but with the wrong motivation?  In this message, Pastor Eric Robertson shares our necessary response. Ultimately, the Book of Revelation is about a problem that is only solved when God's people wake up, repent, and faithfully wait on the return of Jesus.

• One of the worst problems is the one you don't know you have.
• Even worse are the problems you can see but don't recognize.

Ephesus: History

• Ephesus was an influential city in the Roman world: a major port city in Asia Minor—economically powerful, culturally diverse, and religiously pluralistic. Faithfulness required constant discernment.
• The city was defined by idol worship. The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Converting to Christianity meant rejecting the city's spiritual identity and economic system (Acts 19).

Though the church seemed to be doing well, there was a glaring problem that John addressed.

What Did It Mean: Revelation 2:1–7

Each letter follows the criticism sandwich: (Good)(Bad)(Good).

Jesus gives this critique while walking among the lampstands—the churches that illuminate Christ to the world.

They served well, worked hard, corrected the wicked, removed toxic leaders, suffered faithfully, and didn't grow weary. Ephesus was a hard-working church.

Imagine hearing: "You're great—but you don't love me."

The letters were written to specific churches, but meant for all churches.

What Does It Mean?

This passage is often preached as a call to return to passion, but Jesus doesn't critique their passion.

Paul once said of them: "Your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people" (Eph. 1:15–16).

The problem wasn't their works, but their why. They disconnected from the reason they exist.

Returning to your first love is remembering why you do what you do: to love God and love others.

When a church forgets its why, it doesn't stop working—it stops breathing.

Our vision is Belong, Believe, Become, but Ephesus drifted into Believe, Become, Belong.

When love is no longer the motivation, we build walls instead of bridges and become known for what we're against instead of Who we're for.

How Do We Respond?

1. Remember – "Consider how far you have fallen."

Remember where you were when God found you and why the church exists.

2. Repent – "Repent."

Recognize how far you've drifted. The church illuminates Jesus, not itself.

3. Return – "Do the things you did at first."

Matthew 22:37–40: Love God and love your neighbor.

If you don't love your neighbor, you don't have love at all.

Closing: Revelation 2:7

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Returning to our first love is a return to paradise—the life God intended.

If we fail to hear, our lampstand will be removed.

The church at Ephesus no longer exists—only ruins remain.

Have we fallen from our first love?