FOCAL POINT THYATIRA: BUT THE PROMISES of JESUS

“But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you ²⁵ except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. ²⁶ To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,  To them I will give authority over all the nations.  ²⁷ They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.  ²⁸ They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!

²⁹ “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.  Rev. 2:24-29

 

 

So yesterday I talked about our Big But when it came to why we do or how we attempt to explain OUR reasonings for doing what we do, that maybe contrary to the will of GOD for those called CHRISTIANS.   Well today I want to end with another Big But, but not one that's ours, but rather one that belongs to JESUS that He's saying to those of us that will choose to hold on to His truths, and His precepts for daily living for us.

 

So why the album cover from Stevie Wonder, this secular song Signed, Sealed, and Delivered?  Really?  What does that have to do with our daily walk with Jesus?  Stay tuned and it will make since in the end.

 

So we've all lived in a manner contrary to the will of God, and when we do that we invite all forms of curses into our lives.  When we pursue our own pleasure and comfort over others....we are cursed to live a life of loneliness.   When we choose to go with the cultural flow and not stand for anything....we tend to get walked over, used, and abused.     When we as Christians invite non-Christians into the intimate places of our lives we expose ourselves to a myriad of possible hurts that may take a lifetime to reconcile.   So Jesus wants to speak to those of us that are either living contrary to His will, and those that are holding on.....by simply saying if you haven't fallen for Satan's schemes (that he used on Eve, and attempted to use on Jesus in the garden) I have promises for you:

 

1) First He promises to give you REAL AUTHORITY....not the cheap happy meal version Satan offers.   Remember his goal is to trick you into taking the counterfeit blessings of God.   He told Jesus if he kneeled and worshipped him he'd give him the kingdoms of the world.  Satan has promised you somethings he don't even own just like he attempted to with Jesus.   Jesus says that you will rule the nations with Him.   He's not promising you to be the president, but rather to be present with Him ruling the nations throughout eternity. 

 

2) Second and finally He promises the very thing each of us need more of.   Not blazing speed, not the ability to read minds, or leap all buildings in a single bound, nor wielding a God-like hammer at evil.....but what He promises us, is EXACTLY WHAT WE ALL NEED; the bright and morning star.  No you won't hold the stars in your hand, but the morning star IS JESUS, He promises you MORE OF HIM.   See it's because of you having MORE of HIM in you that you will be empowered to:

 

• Love the unlovable.
• Persevere under intense scrutiny and persecution
• Serve the nations (those here, near, and far)
• Speak life into things that need the WORD.
• CHANGE LIVES & TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
• Remain committed to the very things (marriage, children, work, etc) He's called you to.
• and even do GREATER THINGS than HE did during His time.

See these promises were signed by His blood shed for us on Calvary, they were then sealed in His death & resurrection, and the VERY SAME POWER that rose Him from the gave He shared upon His ascension by leaving us with His Spirit! 

But, and I have to end with this.....all this and more is only yours if you choose to do as He says.  If you choose to continue to pursue your will, and your way.....none of these promises will be afforded to you, and the very things you say you care about will slowly begin to fall away like this unrepentant church.   So the question is what will you choose to accept:    LGLP

FOCAL POINT THYATIRA: THE BIG BUT

I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
 

²⁰ “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. ²¹ I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.

 

²² “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. ²³ I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.  Rev. 2:19-23



We've all either done it....or are currently doing it! We've let something into our minds or our hearts that we knew we were flirting with it was dangerous.   Maybe you're a Christian who has someone living with you that's not your husband or wife.    Maybe you've engaged in business practices that now have implications that could cost you your license or worse your life.   Maybe you got cable, and now you realize you have a problem.  No wonder why Christ describes this sin as this WOMAN who has slipped in, seduced, and manipulated the hearts of the weaker followers of Christ to turn away.  

I think the large majority of us start things off like this church did...with good intentions, because there's no way they would allow someone in knowing that she would utterly destroy them.  No one wants to be destroyed.   No, we moved in together to see if we could make it work.   I dated them because I'm strong (so I thought) in my faith and that I would change them.   I went out to be the light in the darkness, but now I'm no different than them.   

Whatever it is you are doing and done, here's what the WORD SAYS to encourage those of us that have been tempted and have succumbed : ¹³ The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1Cor. 10:13)

See Jesus always offers a way out.   This church was given the way out of this......HIM...JESUS CHRIST was the way out.   You have to stop the sin, and redirect your path.   So I know some of you are thinking RAY....I CAN'T JUST ASK HIM/HER to leave....and to that I SAY GET MARRIED IMMEDIATELY!  The reason why it's so difficult to split is because like scar tissue you have become this hard fibrous tissue that limits movement, and the only way to remove scar tissue is to cut it out.   If you want GOD's blessings on your relationship....YOU HAVE TO DO IT GOD'S WAY!  MAYBE YOU SAY I CAN'T DISCONNECT THE CABLE....I'll have this huge penalty to pay.....so would you rather pay the $200-$400 for early termination, or the loss of your kids, marriage, and maybe career?   See again because you've allowed this in, and followed it...there are prices to pay.

The Church of Thyatira wasn't immediately shut down.....Christ was giving them a chance to get out of the mess they had gotten themselves into.   Many of you are in the same predicament....you've been given today to get out of the mess you're in....the question is.....DO YOU REALLY WANT OUT?  Choose today to follow CHRIST, so that if it's your last step, you'll step into an ETERNITY spent with HIM vs. on the path you are currently on!  LGLP

FOCAL POINT THYATIRA: WHOSE LOOKING AT YOU

¹⁸ “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:

 ¹⁹ “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. Rev. 2:18-19


One can't help look at this picture and wonder....what happened here?  Pictured is the ruins of Thyatira....a church that was given high commendations......but there was a problem.   We'll unpack their problem that brought them to their ruin as the week unfolds.


I remember as a kid knowing when I was doing or did something wrong that my mom/grandmother had this look that we could feel them staring either at us, or through us with either anger or disappointment.   Maybe it was because I lied about something.  Maybe it was because  I didn't do what I know I was expected to do....whatever it was I knew that I was in trouble.

The church of Thyatira was in trouble....Jesus had been writing the seven churches to encourage them, commend them, as well as to offer correction to them before they were utterly ruined because of their sin.   He starts this letter off by telling them who He is, and even describing how He looks as He is looking upon this small assembly of Christ followers.   They were a church known for their love, their faith, their community service, and their patient endurance......so what possibly could they be doing wrong?  

What about you?  What are you known for?  Is it that you GO TO CHURCH every Sunday or Saturday?  Is it that you are constantly doing loving things to and for others?  Are you known for being a Golden Retriever or Lab, that is faithful to their friends, so much so that you will go through any and everything with them?   I mean all of these sound like stellar qualities and what we all want as we look for friends, a church, a job, a community......so what possibly could be lacking.

I won't get into what Thyatira was lacking today, but I do want you to think about what are you known for.......and then think about WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU?  When Jesus pointed out what each of these churches were falling short of, it wasn't a surprise to them....they knew.   Couples that attend our services every weekend are fully aware of what they are really struggling with in their marriage.    People aren't caught off guard when the message exposes sin in their lives.....which is why the thought is always " HOW DID THEY KNOW, I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE TALKING TO ME...."  See this church had a reputation with the public, but forgot about that JESUS knew what really was going on.  





Is this you......are you known by your co-workers, friends, family of being one way, and then behind closed doors, JESUS knows the real you?   So really you are living a lie.  TODAY is a brand new DAY, why not start it by being REAL with who you are, and where you are, and seeking the help & support you need?   I challenge you today to admit your sin to GOD, and someone else that cares enough to pray with you, support you....and ultimately see you work out your salvation in fear and trembling.   LGLP

FOCAL POINT PERGAMUM: TAKING CUES from WHO

¹³ “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city. Rev. 2:13

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:17

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. ³³ Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. ³⁴ You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.  Hebrews 10:32-34

So Jesus in his opening letter to the church of Pergamum let's the know he's aware of what they are going through and points them to look at one of his loyal followers, Antipas.   Now we don't know a whole lot about Antipas except for the fact that He was a faithful witness who was martyred because of His faith in Jesus Christ, and Jesus encouraged the members  of the church in Pergamum to take their cues, some notes, from the devotion of Antipas.

In America we are constantly being thrust upon with a multitude of messages.   We are constantly being bombarded by messages regarding politics, homosexuality, same sex marriages, tolerance, post modern culture, celebrating diversity, COEXISTING, and moral relativism while our culture is becoming more accepting of any and everything.   So as American believers we don't suffer like some in other countries where people are being snatched out of their homes in the middle of the night for their belief in Jesus Christ, but what we endure is mix between intimidation to be accepting of "THIS IS JUST THE WAY THINGS ARE NOW..." or subtle shift of the cultural current to becoming accepting of the perversion of the way GOD originally intended things to be.

Whether the hot button topic is the legalization of gay marriage or being able to pray in school as Christians we are asked to represent GOD's KINGDOM principles, even if that means being ostracized.   Paul in two separate accounts mentions suffering being a part of a believers DNA.   In his letters to the Christians in Rome he reminds them as Christ suffered, so must we, and by doing so we will share in His glory.  Then in the book of Hebrews he reminds them to remember what it is we went through and that you went through it with JOY, because you knew what was up ahead, meaning after this life.

Why do I bring this up?  Because Revelations is a book like many of the books of the Bible filled with promises....and if we choose to avoid to take the cues that WE ARE THE CHURCH and CHRIST IS COMING BACK for us, then there is a possibility that we will be on the wrong of the promises.  So are you suffering well?   Despite who you work with, or are married to do you stand firm and do so with love?  Or do you complain much during your suffering to gain sympathy of others, and do you condemn others instead of ways to love them out of their knot of perversion of what TRUE LOVE is?  Whatever you are doing.....you are taking your cues from either the CULTURE, or CHRIST!   LGLP

FOCAL POINT PERGAMUM: WHO IS THIS? I KNOW......

Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Pergamum. “These are the words of the One with the sharp double-edged sword:

¹³ “I know [your deeds and] where you live. It is where Satan, the adversary, has established his throne.  Rev. 2:12-13a

 

We've all had a reason to pick up the phone and call someone.   Sometimes it's for pleasurable reasons (talking to grand kids, kids, friends, etc) and sometimes it's because of a conflict.   Maybe your computer is froze, or cable is out, or a service is delayed and you need to talk to someone.  At the end of the day your purpose is always about connecting.   It's connecting and communicating your heart to the person(s) on the other end of the medium of communication.  

 

Prayer is really no different.  Sometimes our prayers are just to say thank you to God for all He's done.  Sometimes it's because we desire/need to hear from Him.  Sometimes it's frustrations with friends, family, work, or just life...and what's amazing is how we have all felt at times " IS ANYBODY LISTENING?  GOD ARE YOU THERE?  even with so many of our customer service call centers being outsourced we've even said " DO YOU, CAN YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING or WHAT IT IS I'M DEALING WITH?"  All to us ultimately wanting someone on the opposite end to understand, and care to do something about whatever it is that has us panicked or stressed out.

 

John is writing as the Jesus is instructing him on how to address this church in Pergamum who is situated in the den of Satan, at the epicenter of evil and He starts off by telling them WHO HE IS....He's the one who's words have the ability to cut right through us, and anyone for that matter.   It signifies ONE who has ultimate power/authority in what they say and how it's received.   We used to like to say when E.F. Hutton spoke.....people listened, well this is JESUS CHRIST the first and last, the beginning and end, the author and finisher of our FAITH saying......that I KNOW:

 

WHAT you contend with.....in your marriage, in your parenting, in your work life, in your singleness, in living in this WORLD, in this culture, during this candidacy, concerning your health, regarding your deepest hurts, habits, and hang ups...etc....and as CHRIST IS FULLY AWARE, as you read this, as I read this you know there is a BUT coming.......which I will get into tomorrow.

 

BUT FOR NOW, FOR TODAY.....What you need to know is that HE KNOWS remember HE is omnipotent, there are no surprises to Him.  So know that as you pray, you have a HIGH PRIEST in JESUS CHRIST who is fully aware and

 

HE CARES, the whole reason why He's writing this letter, the reason why He is communicating to this Church is because He knows they are in need of Him.  They are in need of encouragement since they live in the epicenter of Satan's rule.

 

SO today....I need you to know....that GOD KNOWS and HE CARES about those things that are wearing you out.   He has some encouraging words for you, and most importantly today you need to just know that HE KNOWS AND CARES.  LGLP

 

 

 

 

FOCAL POINT SMYRNA: SAY SAY SAY, WHAT YOU WANT BUT.....

⁹ “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan.
Rev. 2:9

Remember the old adage " Sticks and stones, may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."  What a lie!  I mean if we are all serious we have been hurt by words than we have been by anything else.   Imagine all of the young girls that look for the approval of a male, because of the words, or the lack of affirming conversations they had with a father figure.   Or think about all of the sons that are starving for the same affirmation from their dad that causes them to recognize their worth.  

The church of Smyrna was being beaten up.   It wasn't enough that they were suffering under the iron fist of Rome.  But now they were being lied on.  They were being verbally abused by the very people that they thought would have their backs.  Remember it says that the people that were perpetuating these lies called themselves Jews, but really were the synagogue of Satan.  Nothing hurts more than the very people you have grown to love, are the ones that are blaspheming and opposing your efforts to glorify God.  But the church of Smyrna was encouraged to not be afraid.    Long before this letter was written Jesus reminded his disciples that (Luke 6:22) when people hate you and say all manner of things against you to rejoice....why?  Because they did Him, and the prophets the same...so we are in good company.

Now what this will require is FOCUS.  You have to focus that while the NAYSAYERS, the SYNAGOGUE of SATAN are hurling insults and lies....that they ARE LIES.  No need to invest a lot of emotional energy into what isn't the truth, but rather surround yourself by and with the TRUTH.   It's like those professional athletes who run out on the court or field and hear boos....that they have to remember that they are out there for a greater purpose, and don't be swayed by those that aren't even in the game.  As you navigate through your day remember they are LIES...all LIES....and remember what GOD says about you......YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE....THAT ALL OF HIS THOUGHTS OF YOU OUTWEIGH THE NO. of SAND, THAT HE HAS PLANS TO PROSPER YOU, and not to harm you..........LGLP

FOCAL POINT SMYRNA: I KNOW I KNOW ABOUT YOUR SUFFERING/POVERTY

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: ⁹ “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich!  Rev. 2:8-9

If I'm honest suffering is all around us, and one doesn't have to board a plane to go to Malawi, Haiti, Honduras, or somewhere across sees to see that suffering is all around us.   Suffering is the 3 women in Ohio that was rescued just last week, that they endured all forms of abuse over 10 years.   Suffering is the husband and wife in Southern IL whose 4 other kids perished in a arson fire this past weekend.   Suffering are those that we sit next to at work, on Sunday mornings that are wondering where the next meal will come from.

Suffering is the catalyst that has the ability to bring people of different cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds all for the purpose of simply loving/caring for one another in the midst of tragedy.   That's the church of Smyrna.   They were the only church that received commendations without a rebuke, but interestingly Christ didn't protect them from feeling the pangs of suffering.    Surely He could have, but why didn't He.    I mean He could've made sure that those women in Ohio never went through what they went through but He didn't.   He could've made it so that when you lost your parents or friends that you felt nothing, but that's not what He chose for you.  

So is there something to suffering that we need to experience to bring us closer to Christ?  I'm sure it is, as I sat with a young pastor from New Orleans whose 90% of his congregation lost their homes during Katrina that said....." Ray in an odd way.....I would've changed a thing..."  It's the mystery of how can a woman choose to endure 9mos of labor pains, then deliver a child that is bent on breaking their heart....who chooses to endure that.   It's the question of why would the people of Smyrna stay in Smyrna knowing that the Roman gov't will mock and persecute them?  Because for them to LIVE IS CHRIST and to DIE is GAIN! (Phil. 1:21)

Anyone willing to declare that....that FOR GOD YOU LIVE, FOR GOD YOU DIE?    Smyrna did.....and if you have a mother she did too, if you are reading this.  Christ said I KNOW I KNOW,, but do you realize your suffering is not for nothing but rather the cause of CHRIST.    But if it's true that we a living in midst of a world that is suffering, my parting question to you, as a DISCIPLE is WHAT ARE  YOU DOING ABOUT IT? LGLP

FOCAL POINT EPHESUS: DO OVERS.....REQUIRES YOU DOING OVER

I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. ³ You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. ⁴ “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! ⁵ Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.  REV. 2:2-4

Can you imagine the disappointment?  Here you are doing some GREAT things, you see the results of them even, but when the master shows up to "white glove" inspect all your doings, you are enlightened to find you were doing them with the wrong heart?  REALLY?  I'm sure they knew how they felt about all the people they were serving.  You don't read that the church this was written to, went into "servitudinal"( I know it's not a word...but it should be.....)  shock.....NO.  Just like you.......in your marriage you know that the LOVE is absent in what or why you do what you do.    You are at work right now, and the reality is in YOUR HEART you say to yourself (or maybe it's so bad you've said it out loud, to someone even) I can't stand _________________________.   REALLY?

So Jesus is telling John to tell them You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! ⁵ Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.  So now the truth is made known......you know exactly how you feel about church, work, your spouse, that kid, your neighbor.....remember Jesus makes it a point to let them all know....HE KNOWS...HE KNOWS...HE KNOWS so there is nothing hidden from Him, so what does HE do...knowing their hearts....knowing your real motivations....STRIKE THEM DOWN!!!!!?????

NO...He's a good GOD, He's graceful...He's merciful and He extends to them, and each of you RIGHT NOW TODAY.....an opportunity to look at where you are (look how far you've fallen) so where ever you are right now...reflect on where is your heart regarding.........

Then He says (TURN BACK TO ME (Repent) so in other words change your course of direction....if you're heart is heading left/right turn it back towards the center....where HIS WILL IS.

Finally He then says to do the works you did at first some of not many people struggle here.  Many marriages come to me saying things are not the way they used to be.    Many people talk about how they don't like the job the way they used to.   We all have said things were better way back when.........and the reality is JESUS doesn't call us to, or tell us to do something TOTALLY different....NOPE....he says do the works you did at first.  Remember when you first got married, when you first got hired, when you first moved into that community, when you first started attending or joined .........that you did it with so much love.  You cared so much about______________, you did what you did with them in mind, there was nothing you wouldn't do to________________ and essentially your heart grew cold.

SO where ever you are right now......REMEMBER, REPENT & REDO.....that's why you have today......to DO - OVER, except DO IT RIGHT!   LGLP

FOCAL POINT EPHESUS: MY FIRST LOVE (NOW) IS _____________________________________

² “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. ³ You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Rev. 2:2-4

Is it me, or is that an exclamation point at the end of verse 4?  Was Christ really trying to make a point here?  Was there something He really desired to get our attention?  I mean the previous verses were patting us on the back, and we were feeling pretty good about ourselves, then comes this verse that is like a kick in the butt or a punch in a gut, that HEY YOU DON'T LOVE ME, or EACH OTHER AS YOU DID AT FIRST.   It reminds me of a marriage that has grown stale....(here's a page out of this past weekend's transcript....)

Take for instance....as a BABY/TODDLER/CHILD your FIRST LOVE is YOU.  I mean everything is about your want and your needs.  Your needs to be fed, changed, held.   Everything in the scope of your eyes and reach of your hand is categorized as MINE!  MY TOYS, MY FRIENDS, MY FRENCH FRIES....etc.  Prayerfully at some point you transition out of this selfish pattern of existing, but we all know people well above their twenties that still think the world revolves around them.

But some of us actually do mature, and before long our FIRST LOVE changes to be about A SIGNIFICANT OTHER.  This is played out when daughters don't have healthy relationships with their dad, that they seek that masculine protection and approval of another man.  They compete with other women for this.   They look for their validation in this other person.  Guys look for a woman or women to validate their worth as a man, because their idea of what it means to be a man wasn't modeled well so it's skewed in the media and locker rooms.   So sometimes these people get married and realize that they can't fulfill each others expectations, because REALISTICALLY GOD didn't mean for you to complete each other...HE DOES THAT...He just wanted us to compliment and care for one another.

Some people actually mature past this stage, and begin to idolize their jobs, their success, their things....which all are rooted in selfishness.  Their FIRST LOVE becomes THEIR STUFF!  These are people who conversation revolve around their things and their accomplishments.  Not the providence of GOD in their lives.    The people of EPHESUS knew how hard they worked, they knew what trophies they had created for their hard work, but unfortunately they totally forgot who it was for, and what it was all about.

What about you? A seeds takes and takes, with the end goal of seed is to become a fruit bearing TREE...and the production of FRUIT is not for the TREE, but for others.    SO, why do you do what you do?  Is it a shallow answer of it helps to put bread/meat on the table.    Are you devoted to your wife, more than the LORD.   Paul talked about being married presents challenges where the spouse is committed to fulfilling the needs of the spouse and forced to figure out where does the LORD fit in.   If you are single do you really think it's all about you, or have you discovered it's about HIM?  HAS YOUR LOVE MATURED to where because of your CONNECTION TO YOUR TRUE FIRST LOVE, THE VINE, that YOU PRODUCE OUT OF THAT LOVE?  All of our motivations change from time to time, but the question is have your motivation been cemented in something that is sure?   THE ACTUAL LOVE OF CHRIST!   LGLP

FOCAL POINT EPHESUS: I know, I know, I know.....BUT

I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. ³ You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

⁴ “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Rev. 2:2-4 NLT

 The Ephesian church were no slouches.   They were the 3rd largest city of their time, and as you can see at the Ephesian coliseum was not just big, it was majestic, and when you think about all of this was going on in the midst of a perverse generation and cultural that was sexually immoral......John was proud of his home church, and as we read Jesus was well aware of all that they had done, and were doing.   He told them their HARD WORK & PATIENT ENDURANCE was noteworthy....essentially Heaven was aware of the leaders and members of this great church.  They cultivated unity by making sure evil people didn't remain evil people, or they no longer remained in the midst of the body.   They didn't give way to false prophets either, they did their homework of testing the spirit by the SPIRIT, and all the while they suffered & endured without quitting........but

It was done all without loving CHRIST and one another....which according to Paul (1Cor.13:3b NLT)............ but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.  Many of you are right now at work, or off to do a multitude of things today, and I simply ask you to STOP for a minute and answer this question:  WHY ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU DOING, and for WHO IS IT FOR ULTIMATELY?  See if we don't wrestle with this question we run the risk of accomplishing somethings today, with no reward attached to it.  Can you imagine working for 8hrs building something to have it fall apart as soon as you put the capstone on it?  Can you imagine doing everything you can for your spouse, only to have them say I don't love you, and I don't feel you love me?   Can you afford to spend 10,15, 20 or more years in a marriage, a job, a church, a community only to discover you accomplished nothing because of this BIG BUT.....and that BUT BEING YOU DIDN'T LOVE ME or OTHERS?  Now tomorrow we'll get into this whole first love bit, and how Jesus recommendation at the end that they return to doing somethings they did in the beginning....but for you did you ever TRULY LOVE your SPOUSE?   Did your neighbors ever REALLY feel like you CARED for/about them?  Do you REALLY LOVE your step-children, your in laws, ...........etc?

Again...at the risk of losing everything.....please STOP, and answer the question honestly "WHY ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU DOING, and for WHO IS IT FOR ULTIMATELY?"  Because JESUS sees all that you are doing/done.....but is their a but following all your doings?????  LGLP