Message by Dr. David Drake
What Kind Of Church Are We?
A study of the seven letters to the seven churches in the Revelation
Revelation 2:7 (NASB)
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 2:1 (NASB)
1 “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:”
Jesus Christ was the master letter writer. The Gospel accounts (Matthew-John) reveal Him to be a wonderful teacher, healer, encourager, and friend to saints and sinner alike. He was, however, the Savior of the world and for that reason, He has a story to tell. He states in Matthew 16:18 that He was going to build His church and for that church He died. Therefore, the church is very important to our Lord and because it is, He desires to communicate to the church on intimate terms. The seven letters written and addressed to seven different churches located in Asia Minor happen to give us the backdrop for this study. Notice as we introduce this study the three unique characteristics concerning these churches:
1. Each letter had a primary ASSOCIATION, meaning, they were written to specific churches.
2. Each letter had a personal APPLICATION, meaning, they had a direct message to each follower of Christ.
3. Each letter had a prophetic ANTICIPATION, meaning, there is a word proclaimed to each church and their specific situation, plus, there is a word proclaimed to all seven churches collectively.
Ephesus, The Back-Slid Church
Revelation 2:1-7
(Reminder: The Ephesus Church fits historically in the Apostolic Age of the Church -From Pentecost to AD 160)
The Assembly (to whom the letter was written)
*Ephesus (defined): “desirable”
* Ephesus (described): The largest city of Asia Minor and the residence of the Apostle John before he was banished to Patmos. It was home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the temple of Artemis (Diana). Ephesus was one of the greatest religious, political, and commercial centers of the modern world.
* Ephesus received two (2) letters from two biblical authors:
1. The Apostle Paul writes a letters to the Ephesians describing ”¦ What The Church Is
2. Jesus Christ writes a letters to the Ephesians describing ”¦ What The Church Needs
Revelation 2:1-7 (NASB)
1 “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:
2 ‘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;
3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 ‘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.
6 ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 ‘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.’
The Author (the writer of the letter)
The One who holds the messengers ”¦ vs. 1b
The One who walks in every church…vs. 1c
The Approval (the praise given in the letter)
He (Jesus) approves their “service”…vs. 2a
He (Jesus) approves their “suppression” (i.e. strength) ”¦ vs. 2b
He (Jesus) approves their “spiritual discernment”…vs. 2c
He (Jesus) approves their “steadfastness” ”¦ vs. 3
The Admonition (the rebuke submitted in the letter)
Left their love of commitment
Left their love of devotion / loyalty
Left their love of fellowship (with God and man)
The Appeal (the invitation given by the One writing the letter)
“Remember” ”¦ we are to “recognize”
“Repent”…we are to “confess”
“Remove” ”¦ we are to “abstain”
Five (5) Applications From The Letter Writer To This Church / To His Child
- You and I have a “message / letter” to be read and obeyed.
- Jesus Christ is serious about what He has written for you to read and obey.
- Jesus Christ loves and accepts you for who you are.
- Jesus Christ will not allow anyone or anything to take His place.
- Make sure that His “message / letter” is applied in your life ”¦ TODAY!