Ephesians 5 “Who has your Heart”
Ephesians 5 “Who has your Heart”
Star Vs
Ephesians 5:10 (NASB95)
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Background Text
Ephesians 5:1–2 (NASB95)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 5:6 (NASB95)
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Focus Reading
Revelation 2:1–7 (NASB95)
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
6 ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’
Re Visit Ephesians History
Ephesus Inception
The earliest inhabitants of Ephesus were a group of peoples called Leleges and Carians who were driven out around 1000 B.C. by Ionian Greek settlers led by Androclus of Athens
The new inhabitants of Ephesus assimilated the native religion of the area, the worship of a goddess of fertility whom they identified with the Greek goddess Artemis, the virgin huntress. (Later the Romans identified Artemis with their goddess Diana.)
</Key Point> Worship of a False god [Artemis (Diana)]
Even thought Ephesus fell under control of different groups over time. Each group continued to worship Artemis.
</Key Point> This religion was very popular
Ephesus may also have acquired its name from the mother goddess known as Artemins Ephesia, whose followers believed her to be a fertile mythological woman from around 7000 b.c. and the mother of everything who also ruled everything.
She was the most popular goddess in Anatolia, and her fame and influence spread to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Arabia, Greece, Rome and even Scandinavia.
The City of Ephesus also built a temple to this goddess. At that time, it was called the Seven Wonders of the world.
</Key Point> Ephesus Thrived
During the first and second centuries of the Christian era Ephesus peeked . Around Paul’s time, Ephesus was probably the fourth largest city in the world.
</Key Issue> Ephesus was polluted with false worship
By Paul’s time false worship was main stream. Also, to note there were other deities that where being worship around Paul’s time.
Throughout the N.T Ephesus has been the focus of more than just Paul.
Key Events
· Paul Makes a Brief Stop in Ephesus - Acts 18:19–21
· Apollos Begins Teaching - Acts 18:24–19:1
o Note : Priscilla and Aquila are there also
· Paul address Ephesus for a second time - Acts 19:1–41
· The Sons of Sceva Imitate Paul - Acts 19:11–19
· People Riot at Ephesus - Acts 19:23–41
· Paul’s Letter to Ephesus – The Book of Ephesians 1-6
· Paul’s letter to Timothy
o 1 Timothy 1:3 (NASB95) As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,
o Note: look at what Paul is telling Timothy.
o He is telling him to stay is Ephesus and teach certain people to only teach the Gospel of Jesus
o Here we get another insight to what is going on over there
· John’s Letter to Ephesus Rev 2:1-7
Why so much Attention ?
We see this city has resisted the Gospel of Jesus . It’s been so bad that a riot broke out making Paul leave the city.
Paul describes its condition
“If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32, NASB95)
Beast : to be engaged in a fight with wild animals; or perhaps to contend with adversaries likened to beasts.
Paul’s adversaries fought him like wild beasts. That’s how bad this city was and the reason why there was so much attention towards it.
Remember this was a major city and if this city change it could set a precedent for the surrounding cities. So, this demonic system fought hard against the Gospel of Jesus .
What’s the fight all about ?
It’s about your Worship / Relationship!!
John 4:24 (NASB95) — 24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Who are you going to surrender your soul and spirit too for all eternity.
Who has your Heart? The god if this World or Jesus
The fight has not changed today
Let’s Examine the Last Letter to Ephesus
Revelation 2:1–7 (NASB95)
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
6 ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’
Vs 2-3
· Jesus speaks to the church about the good they have done.
· I know your works (deeds)
· I see your labor and steadfast endurance
· I see that you hate evil
· I’ve notice that you have put to test those call themselves apostles .. workers of the Gospel
o 1 John 4:1 (NASB95) — 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
· I see that with everything being sent your way you have not grown weary for my name
o Grown weary : to tire v. — to exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress.
o John 15:20–21 (NASB95) — 20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
Vs 4 | The Problem
Revelation 2:4 (NASB95) — 4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
We see a group of people who has keep up the work / ministry of the Gospel.
· They have been so ingrained with fighting of the resistance.
· There are two Major forces with the same root fighting against this church. You have those who flat out hate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
· These are the group who worship Diana and other god’s and then you have the Nicolaitans who the Lord was proud that the church of Ephesus rejected .
Nicolaitans were a heretical group in the early church who taught immorality and idolatry.
With that said the Church lost there Frist Love during the fight.
What I see is a group of people who got caught up in the Work of the Church and lost the true purpose of what God was calling them to.
Left your first Love
Revelation 2:4 (NASB95) — 4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Matthew 24:12–13 (NASB95) — 12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
Jesus is telling the Church that their HEART has grown cold towards HIM.
· It’s possible to do the work of the Lord thinking everything is fine .
· But on the inside your HEART is slowly growing cold towards GOD.
· Because of the constance fight and pressure from the evil one our HEART can grow cold.
· Notice !! Jesus is not saying that you don’t love him, but he is saying that you have a HEART problem.
Jeremiah 2:1–2 (NASB95) — 1 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, The love of your betrothals, Your following after Me in the wilderness, Through a land not sown.
Jeremiah 2:1–2 (NLT) — 1 The Lord gave me another message. He said, 2 “Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says: “I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness.
Jesus is pointing out that this church has lost their RELATIONSHIP with HIM.
· Meaning they have been so caught up in the WORK .
· Maintaining their relationship / worship with God has not been a premium. Many Christians today are in the same state today.
· They have been focusing on the work, maintaining their relationship with God is secondary or even a lower priority .
Question?
What did God establish with Adam and Eve
· He establish a Relationship with them. Out of the relationship came guidance of the WORK to do
· Gen2.15
What happen when they sinned against HIM
· God re-establish his relationship with them
The Book of Genesis deals with a group of people have a relationship with God . Out of that relationship came toe WORK .
It’s always been about the relationship first.
Your relationship with God’s put’s everything in its right place. IF you lose your communication with God then what do you have.
You have a group of people who are the walking Dead . Doing the work ..so called work of God with no guidance .. So, how do you reconcile if your are doing the lord’s will without talking to HIM.
What’s the next step
Revelation 2:5 (NASB95) — 5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
Jesus says remember where you have fallen
His call to action is to Repent!!! Do the work like you did at first!!
to reconsider (repent) v. — to have a change of self (heart and mind) that abandons former dispositions and results in a new self, new behavior, and regret over former behavior and dispositions.
do the deeds you did at first
Hebrews 10:31–32 (NLT) — 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.
Remember, how you talked to God.
· Remember how faithful you were to HIM.
· Remember how on fire you were for God .
God is calling us to go back to him fully.
· Do not just be caught up in doing the work without a relationship.
· THIS IS DANGAROUS IT CAN PUT YOU IN A PLACE TO WALK IN HEARCY.
· The Devil wants you to be a DOUBLE AGENT.
· Appearing to be light but on the inside living a lie being dark.
Learn What Is Pleasing To The Lord
Ephesians 5:10 (NASB95) — 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:16–17 (NASB95) — 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
