Back to the Future: Revelation - Letter to Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-5 | “Write this letter to the angel [pastor] of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 

• What was the church in Ephesus doing well? 

• What was the church in Ephesus not doing well? What did they need to change? 

• How do you relate to the church in Ephesus? 

  • Which of the following things are you doing well? What do you need to start doing or to do better? 

    • Hard working for the Lord

    • Patiently endure [waiting on the Lord to act in His time]

    • Do not tolerate sin

    • Evaluate the teachings/wisdom/advice of others

    • Endure persecution 

    • Passion and love for the Lord

    • Loving other believers well

    • Serving God with zeal

• The people in the Ephesian church were followers of Jesus. Why was growing in these other areas also important?