The Essential Jesus (Part 18): The Early Church of JesusSample

Unfaithful or Faithful?

PRAY: Lord, many things get in the way of my love for you. Help me to start over with you today as I read your Word.

READ: Revelation 2:1-11

REFLECT: Throughout my adult life, I've been a member of three different churches, depending on where I worked and lived. As I think back, I realize each one was different. Some had strong teaching; some didn't. Some were active in the community; some weren't. Some had lots of people and resources; some didn't. For a variety of reasons, they all had their strengths and weaknesses. That's the sense we'll get as we read Jesus' assessment of the churches in the first century.

The first church that came up for review was in the city of Ephesus (vv. 1-7). The good news about this body of believers is that they were activists and willing to work hard (v. 2). They were careful to avoid false teaching and even suffered for their beliefs. The bad news was they'd forsaken their first love, Jesus (v. 4). They were like a husband who provided everything his family needed but who was unfaithful to his wife. If there's not true love for Jesus in the church, its members are just going through the motions, and Jesus doesn't like that. The way to rekindle dying love is to repent and start over again (v. 5).

The second church, Smyrna (vv. 8-11), was one of two that were singled out for commendation only. (The other is in Philadelphia [Revelation 3:7-14].) But to the casual observer, the church in Smyrna may have looked like a failure. They were poor, they were being criticized, and their members were about to suffer persecution and imprisonment (vv. 8-10). That's not such a great formula for church growth. Or is it?

Today, the world's churches facing the greatest persecution are also experiencing the fastest growth. That doesn't mean we should throw our own churches into turmoil to boost attendance. But it reminds us that the church will attract people when Christians stand strong for the gospel, as they must in persecution. Jesus calls that faithfulness (v. 10), and that's what he wants to see in his church.

APPLY: What would it mean for you to stand strong for the gospel this week?

PRAY: Spend a few minutes praying for the churches you've been part of or come into contact with in your life.