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Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Revelation 2:4, 5

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← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
"RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE."
I. WHAT THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS HAD.
A. Works and labors.
1. Well-organized, functioning church.
a. Witness teams.
b. Visitation teams.
c. Finance committees.
d. Pulpit committee and church growth department, all functioning.
e. A model of organization structure.
2. They were laboring in the name of the Lord.
a. It was being done under the right banner.
b. It was a well-oiled piece of machinery.
1. God doesn't want His work done on machines.
2. He doesn't want your work to be mechanical.
B. Patience.
1. Throughout New Testament churches exhorted to patience in waiting on the Lord.
a. Patience in waiting for Him to work.
b. Patience in waiting for Him to come again.
2. Patience is a desired virtue.
C. No place for evil persons.
1. A weakness of many churches.
a. A weakness of many churches.
D. A discerning church.
1. They could uncover the false apostles.
2. John Todd would have never had an audience there.
II. WHAT THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS DIDN'T HAVE.
A. Their first love.
1. They had the right motions but lacked the right emotions.
2. The Lord is more interested in the motivation than the action.
3. Many working for the Lord from wrong motivation.
a. I want people to see how talented I am.
b. I want people to know how good I am.
c. I want people to think well of me.
d. Motivations are people-oriented not God-oriented.
4. God wants only one motivative force, love.
a. If you can't serve Him because you love Him, then don't serve.
b. If you can't give because you love Him, then don't give..
c. Anyone who is serving the Lord in any capacity should examine his motives.
5. If your love for Christ isn't constraining you, then quit! Get out of it!
6. The warning of Jesus to remove candlestick out of His place.
7. You may find in many churches a great deal of social works, elaborate buildings, glorious choirs and beautiful lectures, but if you look for Jesus, He is no where to be found, except in the stained glass windows and an occasional quote.
a. But the vibrant life and presence of Christ is not there. They are worshipping in the tomb.
III. THE CALL OF JESUS TO THE CHURCH.
A. Remember from whence thou art fallen.
1. Those days when your love for Jesus was the consuming passion of your life.
B. Repent.
1. Turn around.
C. Repeat, "Do the first works."
1. Fall in love with Jesus again.
Sermon Notes for Revelation 2:4 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Revelation 2:7 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Jude 1:20 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for Genesis 1:1 Next Book →
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