The Outlet Community
How many sermons have we listened to? How many church services have we been a part of? How many Christian/inspirational books have we purchased much less read? The key to living a blessed life is to go beyond reading and listening to a place of obeying and doing. This series is for anyone who is: tired of just “average”, “doing alright", living an “ok” life, and ready to live a life of true success and significance by escaping the ordinary.
Pastor Vince Thomas, Jr.
#Passion - The Church of Ephesus
Life Beyond the Middle Series
Revelation 2:1-7 (NLT)
Let's Be Social: @theoutletcc, @vincethomasjr, @ashleysthomas
Revelation 1:1-3 NLT
Average eventually becomes irrelevant without action. #theoutletcc #vincejr #beyondthemiddle
Context of the Church of Ephesus
- Ephesus was the most important and greatest city in the region - the message given to the church of Ephesus is the most urgent of all messages. Everything we will learn over the next few weeks hinges upon the instructions given to this church.
- The Church of Ephesus had a history of blatant immorality but turned to God. As they have grown in their understanding of the Word, they lack in a critical area that will enable them to continue growing in an authentic relationship with God.
Jesus Cares About Every Facet of Our Life
The Story of the Church of Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-3 NLT
Revelation 1:12-13, 16 NLT
Key Terms
v. 12 - lampstands
v. 13 - Son of Man
v. 16 - stars
Revelation 1:20 NLT
Contextual Meaning
Seven stars - angels assigned to churches. Also has reference to the pastor or overseer of the church.
Seven lampstands - church congregations collectively
Practical and Specific Meaning
Seven stars - each person individually. Everyone is a leader in something even if that means it is you leading yourself.
Seven lampstands - areas of personal influence. A measurement of how well we are leading our life in response to what Christ has done for us.
Characteristics of a Life Beyond The Middle (Rev. 2:2-3)
- Hard work (toil) speaks to spiritual effort. We make time for what we want. The effort to make the best of our relationship with the Lord.
- Steadfast endurance - does not resign to being a victim. It is not the grim patience which resignedly accepts things. It is the courageous gallantry which accepts suffering and hardship and turns them into grace and glory
- Tested evil doers - paid attention to who speaks into their life.
Revelation 2:4 NLT
Today's Key Word is: ________________________
Revelation 2:5-7 NLT
How Do I Maintain/Rekindle My Passion? (Rev. 2:2-3)
Remember the beginning days when everything was fresh
Recenter your mind on what’s important, let go what is not.
Return to the Basics. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify.
Living a Life with Passion will Protect You From Distraction
Revelation 2:6 NLT
Nicolatians - founder was Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.
His followers took his primary message of “You must treat the body harshly” out of context to mean, “do whatever you want with your body because it can be used as shameful as one wishes.”
Nicolaitans, could be derived from two Greek words, nikan, to conquer, and laos, the people. Shares the meaning with the name Balaam in Hebrew (Numbers 25:1-5; 31:16). Meaning this way of living conquers/destroys people.
‘They lived lives of unrestrained indulgence and abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats … leading a life of self-indulgence.
Revelation 2:7 NLT
Personal Prayer
Lord, open my eyes to see you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly.
(adapted from the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester).
Reflection + Discussion
1. When you think of the days when your walk with the Lord was "fresh and new" what were some of the activities you would take part in?
2. How can we cultivate a fresh relationship with the Lord and guard against becoming extremely busy doing "good deeds?"
3. What one change could you make this week that would help you rekindle your passion for God?