The Risen Christ gave us an outline of the message He was g - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1
Slide2

The Risen Christ gave us an outline of the message He was giving John.

The things which you have

seen

– Chapter 1

The things which are – Chapters 2 - 3

The things which will take place

after

this – Chapters 4 - 22Slide3

The Risen Christ gave us an outline of the message He was giving John.

The things which you have

seen

– Chapter 1

The things which are – Chapters 2 - 3

The things which will take place

after

this – Chapters 4 - 22Slide4

The Risen Christ gave us an outline of the message He was giving John.

The things which you have

seen

– Chapter 1

The things which are – Chapters 2 - 3

The things which will take place

after

this – Chapters 4 - 22Slide5

Today we begin the verse by verse examination of the second part, The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3, which contain Jesus´ message to each of the seven churches in the Roman Province of Asia. While our study and use of the tools of interpretation will lead us to understand the

message

given by Christ, we will briefly explore its three applications.Slide6

Today we begin the verse by verse examination of the second part, The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3, which contain Jesus´ message to each of the seven churches in the Roman Province of Asia. While our study and use of the tools of interpretation will lead us to understand the

message

given by Christ, we will briefly explore its three applications.Slide7

The application to the historic

local

churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.

The application to churches across the span of

history

.

The application to the church of

today

.Slide8

The application to the historic

local

churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.

The application to churches across the span of

history

.

The application to the church of

today

.Slide9

The application to the historic

local

churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.

The application to churches across the span of

history

.

The application to the church of

today

.Slide10

The application to the historic

local

churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.

The application to churches across the span of

history

.

The application to the church of

today

.Slide11

The Church at Ephesus

Rev. 2:1-7     “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; Slide12

3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the

Nicolaitans

, which I also hate. Slide13

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’ Slide14

2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write

– If we use our language tools here (as we should), we discover that the Greek word for angel is

angelos

, which is translated as either angel or

messenger

. But if we look at the places the word is used in the New Testament, we find that at least six times,

angelos

is used to refer to

human

messengers, most often to John the

Baptist

. Slide15

2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write

– If we use our language tools here (as we should), we discover that the Greek word for angel is

angelos

, which is translated as either angel or

messenger

. But if we look at the places the word is used in the New Testament, we find that at least six times,

angelos

is used to refer to

human

messengers, most often to John the

Baptist

. Slide16

2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write

– If we use our language tools here (as we should), we discover that the Greek word for angel is

angelos

, which is translated as either angel or

messenger

. But if we look at the places the word is used in the New Testament, we find that at least six times,

angelos

is used to refer to

human

messengers, most often to John the

Baptist

. Slide17

2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write

– If we use our language tools here (as we should), we discover that the Greek word for angel is

angelos

, which is translated as either angel or

messenger

. But if we look at the places the word is used in the New Testament, we find that at least six times,

angelos

is used to refer to

human

messengers, most often to John the

Baptist

. Slide18

The context here indicates that it is a human messenger to whom this letter is being directed because Christ says, “I know your works…” The one receiving the letter was part of the church. This could not be said of an angel who had been given an assignment to minister to the church. The recipient of each of the letters was most likely the

pastor

of each of the churches, and he was supposed to pass the message to the church members.Slide19

The context here indicates that it is a human messenger to whom this letter is being directed because Christ says, “I know your works…” The one receiving the letter was part of the church. This could not be said of an angel who had been given an assignment to minister to the church. The recipient of each of the letters was most likely the

pastor

of each of the churches, and he was supposed to pass the message to the church members.Slide20

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

- Christ holds these pastors in the palm of His

hand

, and He walks personally in the

midst

of each of the seven churches. Slide21

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

- Christ holds these pastors in the palm of His

hand

, and He walks personally in the

midst

of each of the seven churches. Slide22

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

- Christ holds these pastors in the palm of His

hand

, and He walks personally in the

midst

of each of the seven churches. Slide23

Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.

He is here receiving our

worship

whether it is offered with all heart and soul and mind and strength … or not.

He is here receiving our tithes that acknowledge His

ownership

and our offerings that declare our

gratitude

for the abundance of His blessings … or not.Slide24

Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.

He is here receiving our

worship

whether it is offered with all heart and soul and mind and strength … or not.

He is here receiving our tithes that acknowledge His

ownership

and our offerings that declare our

gratitude

for the abundance of His blessings … or not.Slide25

Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.

He is here receiving our

worship

whether it is offered with all heart and soul and mind and strength … or not.

He is here receiving our tithes that acknowledge His

ownership

and our offerings that declare our

gratitude

for the abundance of His blessings … or not.Slide26

Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.

He is here receiving our

worship

whether it is offered with all heart and soul and mind and strength … or not.

He is here receiving our tithes that acknowledge His

ownership

and our offerings that declare our

gratitude

for the abundance of His blessings … or not.Slide27

Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.

He is here to observe the

attentiveness

of our minds to His Word as it is taught and preached … or not.

And He is here to note the

response

of our heart to the message He speaks to us as the Spirit applies His word to our hearts … or not!Slide28

Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.

He is here to observe the

attentiveness

of our minds to His Word as it is taught and preached … or not.

And He is here to note the

response

of our heart to the message He speaks to us as the Spirit applies His word to our hearts … or not!Slide29

Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.

He is here to observe the

attentiveness

of our minds to His Word as it is taught and preached … or not.

And He is here to note the

response

of our heart to the message He speaks to us as the Spirit applies His word to our hearts … or not!Slide30

2

“I know your works, your labor, your patience,

- The Lord knows what we are going through.Slide31

and that you cannot bear those who are evil.

– the Ephesian church was not morally permissive.Slide32

And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

- They were also careful about doctrine.Slide33

3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

– So very much was right with the church at Ephesus, but …Slide34

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

– Now we come to the key question of this letter. What was the love the Ephesians had left? The word itself is agape which is the highest form of love, being used even to describe God´s love. It is purer love than

philos

which is friendship kind of love or of

eros

which is erotic love. Slide35

How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures.Slide36

How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures

.

What did God command us to love the most?

Matthew 22:37–38 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the

Lord

your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. Slide37

How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures

.

What did God command us to love the most?

Matthew 22:37–38 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the

Lord

your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. Slide38

How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures

.

What did God command us to love the most?

What did God call Israel´s apostasy? Slide39

How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures

.

What did God command us to love the most?

What did God call Israel´s apostasy?

Harlotry or adulterySlide40

Because they

forsook

the Lord

. 2 Kings 22:16–17 “Thus says the

Lord

: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants… because they have

forsaken Me

and burned incense to other gods, …

– Judah (and later Israel) left the

Lord

; they left their first love.Slide41

Because they

forsook

the Lord

. 2 Kings 22:16–17 “Thus says the

Lord

: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants… because they have

forsaken Me

and burned incense to other gods, …

– Judah (and later Israel) left the

Lord

; they left their first love.Slide42

Because they

forsook

the Lord

. 2 Kings 22:16–17 “Thus says the

Lord

: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants… because they have

forsaken Me

and burned incense to other gods, …

– Judah (and later Israel) left the

Lord

; they left their first love.Slide43

Because they

forsook

the Lord

. 2 Kings 22:16–17 “Thus says the

Lord

: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants… because they have

forsaken Me

and burned incense to other gods, …

– Judah (and later Israel) left the

Lord

; they left their first love.Slide44

Applications:

The people of the church at Ephesus still worked hard, were steadfast, and maintained sound doctrine; but they were no longer passionate about Christ Himself.Slide45

Applications:

The Ephesian Period of the church was A.D. 70-170, the late apostolic age. Many of the churches of that day were still doing the right things as they ought as a church, but their fervor for Jesus and passion for Christ grew cold.Slide46

Applications:

This serves as a warning to Christians and to the church today that you can have all the right pieces of the “Christian Puzzle” in place and the Lord still have something against us. Without Jesus being the

first love

of our livesSlide47

Applications:

This serves as a warning to Christians and to the church today that you can have all the right pieces of the “Christian Puzzle” in place and the Lord still have something against us. Without Jesus being the

first love

of our livesSlide48

Worship becomes liturgy instead of

adoration

.

Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate

conversation

.

Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the

minimum

payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.

Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of

others

instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide49

Worship becomes liturgy instead of

adoration

.

Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate

conversation

.

Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the

minimum

payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.

Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of

others

instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide50

Worship becomes liturgy instead of

adoration

.

Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate

conversation

.

Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the

minimum

payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.

Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of

others

instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide51

Worship becomes liturgy instead of

adoration

.

Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate

conversation

.

Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the

minimum

payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.

Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of

others

instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide52

Worship becomes liturgy instead of

adoration

.

Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate

conversation

.

Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the

minimum

payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.

Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of

others

instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide53

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works

– Remember what it was like when you

first

came to know me and make a 180 degree turn (

repent

) and fall in love with me again.Slide54

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works

– Remember what it was like when you

first

came to know me and make a 180 degree turn (

repent

) and fall in love with me again.Slide55

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works

– Remember what it was like when you

first

came to know me and make a 180 degree turn (

repent

) and fall in love with me again.Slide56

or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

– The gates of

hell

cannot withstand the church, but Christ Himself will let or cause a local church to

die

if they do not love

Him

!Slide57

or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

– The gates of

hell

cannot withstand the church, but Christ Himself will let or cause a local church to

die

if they do not love

Him

!Slide58

or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

– The gates of

hell

cannot withstand the church, but Christ Himself will let or cause a local church to

die

if they do not love

Him

!Slide59

or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

– The gates of

hell

cannot withstand the church, but Christ Himself will let or cause a local church to

die

if they do not love

Him

!Slide60

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the

Nicolaitans

, which I also hate.

– Identifying the deeds of the

Nicolaitans

has caused much

speculation

. Speculation does not lead to good interpretation. The problem is that historically we do not find a record of a group called the

Nicolaitans

during this period of time. But remember, before we tried to understand, God

revealed

. He would not and has not left us “clueless.” Slide61

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the

Nicolaitans

, which I also hate.

– Identifying the deeds of the

Nicolaitans

has caused much

speculation

. Speculation does not lead to good interpretation. The problem is that historically we do not find a record of a group called the

Nicolaitans

during this period of time. But remember, before we tried to understand, God

revealed

. He would not and has not left us “clueless.” Slide62

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the

Nicolaitans

, which I also hate.

– Identifying the deeds of the

Nicolaitans

has caused much

speculation

. Speculation does not lead to good interpretation. The problem is that historically we do not find a record of a group called the

Nicolaitans

during this period of time. But remember, before we tried to understand, God

revealed

. He would not and has not left us “clueless.” Slide63

So we ask, “Does the name

Nicolaitan

have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to

conquer

the

people

.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue

influence

over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an

apostle

if they were not one? Slide64

So we ask, “Does the name

Nicolaitan

have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to

conquer

the

people

.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue

influence

over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an

apostle

if they were not one? Slide65

So we ask, “Does the name

Nicolaitan

have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to

conquer

the

people

.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue

influence

over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an

apostle

if they were not one? Slide66

So we ask, “Does the name

Nicolaitan

have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to

conquer

the

people

.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue

influence

over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an

apostle

if they were not one? Slide67

So we ask, “Does the name

Nicolaitan

have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to

conquer

the

people

.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue

influence

over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an

apostle

if they were not one? Slide68

What reason could there be except to gain influence they otherwise would not have had. These false believers, pretending to be spiritual

authorities

, sought power in the church. These were the

Nicolaitans

, and the church at Ephesus tested these pretenders and proved they were

liars

. The faithful members resisted their evil attempts and hated the

deeds

of these people desiring self exaltation in Christ´s church.Slide69

What reason could there be except to gain influence they otherwise would not have had. These false believers, pretending to be spiritual

authorities

, sought power in the church. These were the

Nicolaitans

, and the church at Ephesus tested these pretenders and proved they were

liars

. The faithful members resisted their evil attempts and hated the

deeds

of these people desiring self exaltation in Christ´s church.Slide70

What reason could there be except to gain influence they otherwise would not have had. These false believers, pretending to be spiritual

authorities

, sought power in the church. These were the

Nicolaitans

, and the church at Ephesus tested these pretenders and proved they were

liars

. The faithful members resisted their evil attempts and hated the

deeds

of these people desiring self exaltation in Christ´s church.Slide71

What reason could there be except to gain influence they otherwise would not have had. These false believers, pretending to be spiritual

authorities

, sought power in the church. These were the

Nicolaitans

, and the church at Ephesus tested these pretenders and proved they were

liars

. The faithful members resisted their evil attempts and hated the

deeds

of these people desiring self exaltation in Christ´s church.Slide72

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

– Interesting! The message originated with God the

Father

(1:1). He gave it to God the

Son

(1:1). The Son tells John, but the

Spirit

moves in John for this fallible human being to record the message infallibly, perfectly (2 Pet. 1:20).Slide73

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

– Interesting! The message originated with God the

Father

(1:1). He gave it to God the

Son

(1:1). The Son tells John, but the

Spirit

moves in John for this fallible human being to record the message infallibly, perfectly (2 Pet. 1:20).Slide74

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

– Interesting! The message originated with God the

Father

(1:1). He gave it to God the

Son

(1:1). The Son tells John, but the

Spirit

moves in John for this fallible human being to record the message infallibly, perfectly (2 Pet. 1:20).Slide75

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

– Interesting! The message originated with God the

Father

(1:1). He gave it to God the

Son

(1:1). The Son tells John, but the

Spirit

moves in John for this fallible human being to record the message infallibly, perfectly (2 Pet. 1:20).Slide76

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

– Overcomes is from that same root which means to

conquer

. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the

New Jerusalem

. Its leaves produce

healing

and its fruit extends

life

.Slide77

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

– Overcomes is from that same root which means to

conquer

. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the

New Jerusalem

. Its leaves produce

healing

and its fruit extends

life

.Slide78

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

– Overcomes is from that same root which means to

conquer

. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the

New Jerusalem

. Its leaves produce

healing

and its fruit extends

life

.Slide79

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

– Overcomes is from that same root which means to

conquer

. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the

New Jerusalem

. Its leaves produce

healing

and its fruit extends

life

.Slide80

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

– Overcomes is from that same root which means to

conquer

. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the

New Jerusalem

. Its leaves produce

healing

and its fruit extends

life

.