Dynamic Life Baptist Ministries - Pastor Victor Clay

Sermon Title: The Loveless Church
Sermon Text: Revelation 2:1-7
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to be serious about love, light, and life that is reflective of intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ.
Sermon Proposition: There are 5 exhortations given to the loveless church.

1 "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; 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. 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."’ Revelation 2:1-7 (NKJV)

Introduction: The Church of Ephesus (Additional information)

1. The consultation of the loveless church. v.1

   • The consultation is given to the church. v.1a

   • The consultation is given to the leaders. v.1b

   • The consultation is given to the churches. v.1c

   
   
   

2. The commendation of the loveless church. v.2-3

   • The loveless church had a zeal for activity. v.2a

   • The loveless church had a zeal for action. v.2b

   • The loveless church had a zeal for advancement. v.2c

   • The loveless church had a zeal for absolutes. v.2d (2 John 7, 10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

   • The loveless church had a zeal for authority. v.2e (2 Corin. 4:5, 10:17-11:4; Gal. 1:6-10; 1 John 2:18-27; Matt. 7:15)

   • The loveless church had a zeal for appreciation. v.3

   
   
   

3. The condemnation of the loveless church. v.4 (Matt. 22:37-40; Matt 10:37-39; Eph.5:1-2; Matt. 24:12; 1 Peter 1:8; John 10:21-23; John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ezekiel 16:8-15)
   
   

4. The consecration of the loveless church. v.5-6

   • The 1^st step of consecration is to remember. v.5a

   • The 2^nd step of consecration is to repent. v.5b

   • The 3^rd step of consecration is to return. v.5c

   • The 4^th step of consecration is to removal. v.5d

   
   
   

5. The coronation of the loveless church. v.7

   • The exhortation to the loveless church. v.7a

   • The exhortation of individual responsibility

   • The exhortation of corporate responsibility (1 John 2:26-27, 5:4-5)

   • The promise to the loveless church. v.7b

   • The promise of eternal life. (Proverbs 4:23)

   • The promise of eternal paradise. (Genesis 2:9; Rev. 22:5, 22:14-15, 22:19)