Jesus’ letter to the church at Ephesus.
Revelation 2:1-7 CSB
1 “Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 “I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary. 4 “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 “Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 “Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
1. The of the city of Ephesus.
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2. Jesus Himself to the church at Ephesus. Revelation 2:1
1 “Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands:
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, Revelation 1:20
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
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3. What Jesus about the Christians of Ephesus. Revelation 2: 2-3
2 “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 “I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary.
I know your works:
your labor, your patience:
Ephesians 1:15-19 CSB
15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.
You cannot bear those who are evil:
Acts 20:29-31
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore, watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
You have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary:
Hebrews 12:3 CSB
3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.
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4. What Jesus had the church at Ephesus. Revelation 2:4
4 “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You have left your first love:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 CSB
1 If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.
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5. What Jesus wants the church at Ephesus . Revelation 2: 5-8
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.
a. Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen:
b. Repent:
c. Do the first works:
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6.
Or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place:
1 Samuel 4:21-22 CSB
21 She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” referring to the capture of the ark of God and to the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 “The glory has departed from Israel,” she said, “because the ark of God has been captured.”
To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
1 John 5:4-5 CSB
4 because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. 5 Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Genuine faith is more than just works and doctrine;
it must be rooted in a passionate love for Jesus and others.
Community Life Group discussion questions
Take your pick.
- According to Revelation 2:2-3, what does Jesus commend the church at Ephesus for? Why is it important for a church to test those who claim to be apostles? (Refer to Acts 20:29-31 for context on Paul’s warnings to the Ephesians.)
- The church in Ephesus “endured hardships for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:3). How can we, as a community or as individuals, stay diligent in our faith without becoming weary? (Consider Hebrews 12:3).
- In Revelation 2:4, Jesus states, “I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.” What are some possible reasons a church or an individual might “leave” their first love for Jesus, even while remaining active in service and doctrinally sound?
- The text suggests “first love” could refer to love for God, love for one another, or both. How are these two loves interconnected, and why is it impossible to truly have one without the other?
- What are the three steps Jesus commands the Ephesian church to take in Revelation 2:5? Why is “remembering” where they have fallen from the essential first step?
- What do you think “the first works” (Revelation 2:5) are for a Christian? How can we ensure that we don’t become weary or bored with the foundational practices of our faith?
- In what ways do you see yourself or our church family reflected in Jesus’s letter to the Ephesians, both in the commendations and in the concern?
- What are some practical steps you can take this week to “do the works you did at first” and rekindle a deep, personal love for Jesus?
How can we pray for YOU?