THE COMMENDATIONS OF CHRIST

Revelation 2:1-7 ¶ Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

I have preached many sermons from this text in the past, and I feel that I must preach from it again. The message found here is for us today, just as it was for that ancient Church. And hopefully I can present the word in such a way that it convicts you personally, and causes you to move closer toward thy God.

I KNOW THY WORKS

Here is the letter of Christ to the Church of Ephesus, and in this letter we shall see that this Church is commended about many of its works. In fact it has more commendations than any other of the seven churches, but sadly it also received a great rebuke.

First I want us to consider these words of Christ, "I KNOW THY WORKS". Christ knows the works of every Church, he knows the works of every individual who professes to be Christian. In another place he says, "I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts". He knows not only your physical activities, but the workings of your heart and mind and imagination. And he tries and tests and proves each, seeing of what manner of work it is; whether it is hay and stubble, or gold and precious stones. He knows its strengths, if it has any, and he knows its weaknesses. And in the following verses he shares both.

I KNOW THY LABORS

Christ recognized and took account of the labors put forth by the Church of Ephesus. What labors? Not nominal labors of this world, where man toils for his bread and clothing and livelihood which is all good; but rather the Labors for the Kingdom of GOD; the labor put forth for that which is eternal and not temporary. It is a labor for souls. Those precious jewels which shall sparkle in the crowns of the redeemed on that bright morning.

Do you Labor for souls? Can Christ say to you, "I know thy labor"? Or would he say, "I know thy slothfulness? Thy laziness? Thy sleep? And worldliness? As Christ said, "The harvest is great.... pray that the Lord will send laborers into the field". My friends you are to be the laborers. Do you labor for the Lord?

You may say, "God has not called me to be a preacher". And he may not in the sense that you are to stand behind a pulpit; but he has called you and commanded you to share the gospel with every creature. Here are tracts, do you distribute them? There are widows, do you visit them? There is an old friend, do you share your testimony with him? What are your labors? Christ knows.

I KNOW THY PATIENCE

Next Christ adds, "Thy Patience" or perseverance to his list! But what doe it mean? Read verse three with me again:

Revelation 2:3"And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted."

Patience is endurance, they did not work a little while and then quite. They did not start well, but then failed to finish. NO! They labored and did not faint. They persevered!

Could Christ say the same of you? How many of you have started a good work, but have ceased? How many have run well for a short time, but then have given into sloth?

THOU HAST BORNE

Christ also commended this Church because they "Borne" that is they bore their trials, and persecutions, and tribulations. It shows endurance. The assaults of the enemy did not hinder them in their labor of love. Though they suffered for Christ, they labored on for his Kingdom. They were sure that if they suffered they would reign with him.

Can Christ say such of us? When Satan has buffet you have you threw up your hands and quite? Or have you pressed on?

THOU CANST NOT BEAR THEM THAT ARE EVIL

Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Here Christ commends the Church for hating evil. We'll begin with evil works. They did not want sin in their midst, nor in their lives. As God hates sin, so must his people who have His nature within them. As God is pure and holy, so desires the Children of God to be. As it is written, "Everyone that has this hope purifies himself even as he is pure".

Can Christ commend you saying, "Thou canst not bear them which are evil"? Or would he ask you, "How can you bear so much evil?" For most of Christendom there is an amazing love affair between the so called Saint and Sin. Instead of fleeing from sin, we draw as close as we can to it. Instead of turning our heads in disgust, we sit down before the mighty television and watch it for hours. The very things that God hates, we find entertaining. What God despises, we find exciting. Some listen to Rock n Roll, while they profess to be Christian. Tell me how can this be? These musicians hate Jesus Christ! They hate his word, they hate his ways, they hate his holy standard! And yet you bare with them? You have pleasure in them who hate your GOD?

And shall we speak of hypocrites? Oh how the Churches bears those who are evil! Homosexuals are accepted into fellowship, while they practice their lifestyles. Fornication is rampant in the Churches. Adultery is on every hand. As is divorce and remarriage. And instead of commanding these to REPENT or get out, we let them come and play their games. We let them lead in 'worship'! No wonder God views many Churches as out-houses! As filthy toilets offering up stink into his nostrils. And instead of crying out, "TAKE THEM AWAY", we let them play on.

TRIED THEM THAT SAY THEY ARE APOSTLES

And here is another commendation, they tested those who claimed to be preachers, or teachers, or prophets or even apostles. They tested them, and they tried them, and they found many to be liars. Can Christ say the same of you? Do you open up your Bible and study to show yourself approved? Do you have a desire to know the truth and to separate from lies?

Or are you one of these modernists who believe that all roads lead to heaven? Who believes the Jew and the Muslim and the Buddhist will all be in Heaven as long as they are sincere? Are you like the lady who rejoiced because a Pastor converted to Judaism? My friend, how can both be right? Christianity says that Jesus Christ is GOD, the Son of GOD, the Savior. Orthodox Jews say he was deceiver, a blasphemer, an anti-christ, worthy of death. How can both be true? Have they not read the words of Christ where he said, "Except you believe that I am he, you shall die in your sins... and where I am you cannot come"?

Or are you one of those who think that every Christian Church is alike? That Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, and every other Church that takes the name Jesus upon its lips is Christian? My friends Jesus warned us that MANY would come saying he was Christ and would deceive many!

How shall I know the false preachers, the false Churches? You can only know them IF you know the truth. Do you have discernment or not? It comes from studying this Bible.

HATING FALSE DOCTRINE.

Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Here is another commendation from Christ, it is the fact that they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. It is false doctrine and the fruits of it that this Church despised. Do you despise false doctrine? I think there are many of the Nicolaitan persuasion in the world today.

It is said that these were followers of Nicolas, who taught that Christ abolished the moral law of GOD, and that by sinning Christians showed that grace does abound. They were antinomians; their lives were filled with sin; and if you rebuked them for their sin they would say, "Grace". Do you think they still exist today? Yes they do. I heard on the radio last week a preacher who was preaching from Hebrews Chapter three. He said that some of the Jewish Christians were denouncing Christ and returning to their former religion. Which is true, this is what the author of Hebrews was dealing with. But he added this: "But they were still saved. They were still going to heaven". Can you explain to me how a man who does not have faith in Christ, who openly denounces Christ can be 'saved'? He cannot! Can you explain to me how a man of God can say such a thing, unless he is DECEIVED? And out to deceive others.

But do you hate false doctrine? Do you hate the evil that is practiced by those who profess to be Christian? Oh it should make us sigh and cry for all the abominations that are permitted to go on in the Church! Would Christ commend you for hating these things or would he rebuke you for not caring at all?

WHERE DO YOU STAND?

Here are six commendations from Christ to the Church of Ephesus; can he commend you on all six of these? If he can great. But if not, you are in terrible need. For all these things are fruits of love for God. Yes, even hatred of evil deeds and false doctrines is a fruit of loving God. If I love GOD I naturally hate what he hates, and what is against him, I cannot stand.

SIX, AN IMPERFECT NUMBER.

Yet these six recommendations of the Church of Ephesus is imperfect. Six is an imperfect number. There should had been one more, and this Church would have been complete in Christ. They had the works, they had the patience, they had the endurance, they had separation, they had discernment, they had holy hatred, but they didn't have their first love. Read with me verse four:

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Notice Christ did not say, "You don't love me at all", no doubt they loved him some or these six would not had been in their church, but they did not love him the way they once loved him. They had left their first love. And some of you wonder, "Is that really that bad"? Let me read to you from 1st Corinthians:

1st Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

That word 'Charity' means the love of God, it is Agape love in the Greek. And without it, we are nothing. We can do all sorts of good things, but if we don't love God chiefly, then our works are in vain.

WHAT IS THAT FIRST LOVE?

The first love is the love that forms in the heart of a man when he first realizes the riches of Christ toward him; and the love of God that is upon him. When he feels the weight of sin lifted off and sees them upon Christ as he hangs on the cross. When in his mind's eye he beholds the blood dripping from the palms and feet of Christ. The gore that drains from his tore back and scarlet that runs down his face; and he hears him say, "I am dying for thee, because I have loved thee with an everlasting love".

FRUITS OF THE FIRST LOVE

That first love in a new Christian causes him to find the word of God precious. Every command is a jewel and he is willing to obey it, no matter the consequences.

And one who has his first love, loves the Word of God being preached. He loves to hear the name JESUS uplifted in the sermon and the ways of GOD proclaimed. He gladly accepts reproof for he longs to be holy and acceptable unto God.

A Christian who has his first love in his heart will take his last dollar and give it to his brother who is in need and walk away sorry that he did not have more to give.

A Christian who has his first love is in Church every time the doors open, if they are at all able. They will walk to Church if they must. But they love the assembly of God's people.

A Christian who has his first love is one who must pray and talk to God alone. He feels the call of God to come and commune and he must rush off and pray.

A Christian with his first love has a song of praise in his heart; a new song upon his lips, which is always to the glory of God.

BACKSLIDINGS

But the Christian who has left this first love is not the same. The commands of GOD are now weighed against the cost of the world. What will it cost me if I obeyed this command? Is the question.

The preacher's sermons are now picked at and murmured against. Especially those which call men to holiness.

Those who have lost their first love my still give, but they do so grudgingly.

Those who have lost their first love do not have the desire to be in the house of GOD. At one time they would had walked two miles in the cold to attend, now they refuse to walk from their door to the car when it is only a bit chilly.

Without the first love men still pray, but they do it out of duty; not for the Joy of communing with Jesus Christ. The long fervent prayers that once lasted a hour, is replaced by a five or ten minute dry whisper.

Many old Saints have lost their first love. They stop working for God when they are perfectly able to do much, but they say, "I think I have done enough for the Church". What a sorry excuse, "I have done enough". I'm sure they mean they have done enough in the past to warrant the title 'Christian', and a good name from among believers. But if the love of GOD was in them they would say, "I can never do enough for my Savior. I must labor as long as there is life in my frame!"

WHERE DID THE LOVE OF GOD GO?

Now over that short list I am certain that many of you are convicted about losing your first love. And you are certain that you have lost it. But where? Where did you lose it? Young Christian listen closely so you will not make the same mistake.

I am sure you have lost it in the world. Take for instance MONEY. A man must work, or he shouldn't eat, that is a given. We are to labor for our bread if we are able. But Satan is crafty, and he will tempt us to take more of the world than we need and we will stumble. For example, A man may take a walking stick from the woods, and it will help him; but if he becomes greedy and attempts to carry thirty with him, it will cause him to falter. So it is with many in the Church. God gives them strength to labor and make a living, but it is not enough. They want more money, more riches, more stuff. And thus they begin to work longer hours and extra days, and soon their prayer time is cut short. Their Church attendance slacks. Their Scripture reading is neglected, and soon the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches consumes them.

WORLDLINESS... Or maybe it is a bit different. It is not greed that has pulled you away, but the lust of the world. I have seen young people lose their love for God because they give their love to a worldling. Young girls fall for wicked men, and as they spend time with them, rather than God they become like them. My friends, God says we are not to be unequally yoked to unbelievers, and we are to marry only in the Lord. If you want to lose your first love, then disobey God and unite with worldlings. And I warn you, do not hang out with the wicked; as you hear their talk and observe their ways, you will lose your first love.

LACK OF COMMUNION.... or it could be a lack of Communion with Christ. It is impossible to stay warm if we wander from the flame. Religious activity cannot replace fellowship with Christ. Just as Martha was cumbered about with much serving, we neglect that one needful thing. That is sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing him.

FORGETTING WHERE YOU CAME FROM.... Many people, especially legalists, forget where they came from. They forget that they were wicked sinners and that they are still sinners saved by Grace. And they let the marvelous love of Christ which was exhibited for them on the cross slip away. Don't forget, but remember what Christ has done for you.

FINALLY THE NEED FOR RESTORATION.

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Now let me speak to you about the urgency of the matter. If you have lost your first love then you have backslid somewhat in your heart. And except you repent there is a good chance that you will fall further. Once a man loses his first love it is not long before he loses his purity. Once your purity is forfeited, you lose communion with God. Without that communion you will fall in deeper sins, and greater sins.

Look at King David, I am certain he never thought he would fall into adultery and murder, but he did. How? He lost his first love. He lost his purity. He lost his communion. And then he lost self control. You may say, "I could never do such things as that", but you may! King David was a man after God's own heart, and it happened to him.

HOW TO BE RESTORED?

I hope that you are now crying out in your soul, "How can I be restored?" This is all that I can tell you. Remember that first love, remember what lead to you losing it. REPENT whole heartedly before GOD, and cry out to him, "Restore me O Lord!"