Be Loving, Ephesus

A Church Approved by God: Be Loving
Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7

I. The Church – Ephesus
     1. Ephesus was a magnificent city, harbor, and market.
     2. The temples of Artemis and Domitian were there.        
     3. The church was about 40 years old and was started by the Apostle
         Paul.

Acts 19: 1-41

II. The Lord – Present and Sovereign    

Revelation 2:1 and 1:12-16

III. The Encouragement – God sees their faith

Revelation 2:2-3, 6

     1. Deeds
     2. Toil
     3. Perseverance
     4. Cannot tolerate evil men
     5. Endured persecution

IV. The Correction – Love the Lord

Revelation 2:4-5

     1. Remember
     2. Repent
     3. Return

V. The Promise – Him and Heaven

Revelation 2:7

1 John 5:5 – “Who is the one who overcomes the world…he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Faith Sheet

Transformation verse – “In Christ you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” Colossians 2:10    

Main Themes      

~ The Lord Jesus is present and sovereign overseeing His church.
~ Ministry and hard work can replace a genuine walk with God so be 
   careful.
~ The Lord promises Himself and the blessings of heaven to any wearied
   person who comes to Him.

 #1- Reviewing this Past Sunday
A Church Approved by God: Be Loving
Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7

1. Read Revelation 2:1-7. Discuss the message with someone.
2. What did you learn about the Lord and His people?
3. Why are ministry and hard work, at times, so dangerous to a person’s
    spiritual life? Read Mark 6:30-32 and Luke 10:38-42. What is God
    showing you in dealing with this danger?
4. How could you incorporate remembering, repenting, and returning into
    your daily life?
5. Going deeper – Read Acts 19 and see how God started the church in
    Ephesus, what type of challenges it had, and how God showed Himself
    faithful. Pray as God leads.

 # 2- Preparing for Next Sunday
A Church Approved by God: Stay Faithful
Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11

1. How did the Lord describe Himself? (2:8)
2. What do you notice about the contrasts? (2:9)
3. What did Jesus say to comfort the Christians in Smyrna? (2:10-12)
4. What is the Lord wanting us today to know? (2:11)
5. How does talk of death, especially your own death, affect you?
6. What types of persecution have you experienced because of your faith in
    the Lord? How does His promise in (2:11) encourage you to endure
    suffering for Him?
7. Pray for the persecuted church and for one another.