Finding Our Way back // Week 1

Finding Our Way Back

Ephesus

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 1:9

On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet… Revelation 1:10

What would Jesus’ letter to Highlands Fellowship look like today?

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:6

Much influence and significance.

The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:20

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:1 - 7

Endurance

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

Revelation 2:4

Sometimes your season grows old and your heart grows cold.

Is that me?

Is that you?

How do you know if your heart has grown cold?

I have grown complacent.

Your Relationship with Jesus becomes casual.

You compromise your convictions with the world. How do things become idols?

It’s an idol when you love it more than Jesus.

If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 2:5

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7