THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS

The city of Ephesus is the largest city of the seven churches. At one time John and Timothy ministered there. Paul established a church in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. The Temple of Diana was located there, and it was a crucial commercial and political center.

Jesus starts His message to this church stating His position of the keeper, supporter, and moving  amid the churches. He informs this church and the subsequent churches that He knows their works. Sometimes believers act like Jesus is uninformed, that we can hide from Him, and that He does not see all that we do. Guess what? He does.

The church of Ephesus was commended for their labor in the ministry, intolerance of evil, discerning the character of leadership, patient endurance of adversity for Jesus’ namesake, and hating the deeds of Nicolaitanes who taught immorality and idolatry.

The church was rebuked for their decline in a relationship with their savior. They were cautioned to remember and return to their enthusiasm for God and all things that pertained to Him. This was to be accomplished with a repentant spirit. If they did not get it together, the church would eventually cease.

Their characteristics were that of a busy church; however, their state was loveless as seen in their faults. If they overcame their waning love and pursued the right relationship, He would feed them resulting, in eternal life.

As believers, our aim is to have a right relationship with our Lord. Remember the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was a busy person, and Mary just wanted to be in the presence of Jesus. Jesus positively acknowledged Mary’s action, not Martha. Thus, our goal should be pursuing a love relationship that deepens and not falters. Anything that hinders this must be overcome.