Gateway Visalia
Dear Church
Dear Church Pastor Lance Ainsworth Revelation 2:1-7 August 8th & 11th, 2024 Loveless Church
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
Revelation 2:1-7 NASB
2 “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 “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:
To Ephesus (images), From Jesus.
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.
The church of Ephesus is hardworking, resilient, and adheres to sound doctrine.
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.
Right action, wrong motive.
Our “to-do’s” can distract us from the great
“I am.”
Our “to-do’s” can distract us from the great
“I am.”
Matthew 22:36-40 NASB
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Remember, Repent, Reconnect.
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.’
Overcomes: nikao – conquer, prevail, victorious
1 John 5:4-5 NASB
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Dear Church
Revelation 2:1-7, Pastor Lance Ainsworth
August 8th and 11th, 2024
Loveless Church
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Share what Jesus has done for you in one sentence.
Read Aloud: Revelation 2:1-7
1. v.2-3 “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.” The church of Ephesus is hardworking, resilient, and adheres to sound doctrine. Do you see your Christian calling as work? How do we put to test those who call themselves apostles? Should we test all that we hear with the word of God? Share a time when you have had to do this.
2. v.4-6 “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.” Is Jesus telling the church we have lost our first love for Him or for the lost? Or both? If we love Jesus, does it translate to having a love for the lost soul? Do we follow Jesus from duty or desire?
3. v.1,7 “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.” “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.” Jesus starts by sharing that He is “among” the church and ends with the promise of us dwelling in the Paradise of God. Ephesus was known for its busyness and ingenuity. How do we balance the busyness of life with our relationship with Jesus? What are the deeds you did when you first got saved?
Revelation 2:1-7, Pastor Lance Ainsworth
August 8th and 11th, 2024
Loveless Church
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Share what Jesus has done for you in one sentence.
Read Aloud: Revelation 2:1-7
1. v.2-3 “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.” The church of Ephesus is hardworking, resilient, and adheres to sound doctrine. Do you see your Christian calling as work? How do we put to test those who call themselves apostles? Should we test all that we hear with the word of God? Share a time when you have had to do this.
2. v.4-6 “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.” Is Jesus telling the church we have lost our first love for Him or for the lost? Or both? If we love Jesus, does it translate to having a love for the lost soul? Do we follow Jesus from duty or desire?
3. v.1,7 “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.” “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.” Jesus starts by sharing that He is “among” the church and ends with the promise of us dwelling in the Paradise of God. Ephesus was known for its busyness and ingenuity. How do we balance the busyness of life with our relationship with Jesus? What are the deeds you did when you first got saved?