Rediscovering Our First Love: The Ephesus Experience

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel's Power to Transform Communities

The story of Ephesus illustrates the transformative power of the gospel. Paul's ministry in Ephesus led to significant societal changes, including disrupting the local economy and inciting riots. This transformation was rooted in the unwavering foundation of Jesus Christ. The believers in Ephesus were passionate about spreading the gospel, which led to widespread repentance and societal change. This challenges us to consider how the gospel can transform our own communities today. [29:31]

Acts 19:23-26 (ESV): "About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, 'Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.'"

Reflection: Think about your local community. What entrenched systems or practices could be transformed by the gospel? How can you actively participate in bringing about this change?

Day 2: Finding Strength in Christ During Hardship

Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:13-19 highlights the importance of finding strength in Christ, especially during times of hardship. Despite facing persecution, Paul prayed for the Ephesians to be strengthened in their inner being and to comprehend the vast love of Christ. This reminds us that our true strength comes from our relationship with Jesus, not our circumstances. [33:12]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a current hardship you are facing. How can you draw strength from your relationship with Christ to navigate this difficult time?

Day 3: The Danger of Abandoning Our First Love

In Revelation, Jesus commends the Ephesians for their doctrinal soundness but rebukes them for abandoning their first love. This serves as a warning to us to maintain our passion for Christ and not to let our faith become routine or secondary. Our primary focus must always be on our relationship with Jesus. [40:46]

Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."

Reflection: Examine your current spiritual practices. Have they become routine or secondary? What steps can you take to rekindle your passion for Christ?

Day 4: Living Out Our Identity in Christ

Our identity in Christ should influence every aspect of our lives. Whether in our roles as parents, workers, or students, we are first and foremost forgiven children of God. This identity shapes how we interact with others and approach our daily tasks, always reflecting the love and grace of Jesus. [31:43]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you reflect your identity in Christ in your daily interactions and responsibilities today?

Day 5: The Eternal Foundation of the Church

While individual congregations may come and go, the church universal stands eternal, founded on Jesus Christ. This reminds us that our strength and identity are in Christ alone. We must not get distracted by secondary issues but remain focused on the gospel and our mission to share it with the world. [42:20]

1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV): "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Are there secondary issues that are distracting you from your primary mission of sharing the gospel? How can you refocus on Christ as the foundation of your life and ministry?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church. Today, we explored the grand narrative of the Bible and the specific story of the church in Ephesus. We began by acknowledging the challenge of summarizing vast stories, like the Bible, into concise conversations. The Bible's narrative can be distilled into four key words: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. We then focused on the story of the church in Ephesus, starting with Paul's transformative journey from persecutor to missionary, as detailed in the book of Acts. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was marked by significant opposition and societal upheaval, demonstrating the profound impact of the gospel.

Paul's efforts led to a radical transformation in Ephesus, where the gospel disrupted the local economy and incited riots. This transformation was rooted in the unwavering foundation of Jesus Christ. The believers in Ephesus were passionate about spreading the gospel, which led to widespread repentance and societal change. This passion and foundation in Christ are timeless truths that remain relevant today.

We then examined Paul's letter to the Ephesians, particularly his prayer in Ephesians 3:13-19. Paul, despite facing persecution, prayed for the Ephesians to be strengthened in their inner being and to comprehend the vast love of Christ. He urged them not to lose heart but to remain rooted in the gospel.

Finally, we looked at the message to the church in Ephesus in Revelation. Jesus commended them for their doctrinal soundness and perseverance but admonished them for abandoning their first love. He called them to repent and return to their initial fervor for the gospel. This serves as a powerful reminder for us to keep Christ at the center of our lives and not to be distracted by secondary matters.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 19 highlights the importance of finding strength in Christ, especially during times of hardship. He prayed for the Ephesians to be rooted in love and to comprehend the vastness of Christ's love, reminding us that our true strength comes from our relationship with Jesus, not our circumstances. [33:12]
3. The Danger of Losing Our First Love: In Revelation, Jesus commends the Ephesians for their doctrinal soundness but rebukes them for abandoning their first love. This serves as a warning to us to maintain our passion for Christ and not to let our faith become routine or secondary. Our primary focus must always be on our relationship with Jesus.

4. Living Out Our Identity in Christ: Our identity in Christ should influence every aspect of our lives. Whether in our roles as parents, workers, or students, we are first and foremost forgiven children of God. This identity shapes how we interact with others and approach our daily tasks, always reflecting the love and grace of Jesus.

5. The Eternal Foundation of the Church: While individual congregations may come and go, the church universal stands eternal, founded on Jesus Christ. This reminds us that our strength and identity are in Christ alone. We must not get distracted by secondary issues but remain focused on the gospel and our mission to share it with the world.

### [33:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Opening Prayer
[01:30] - Introduction to the Sermon
[02:45] - The Challenge of Summarizing the Bible
[04:00] - The Story of Ephesus Begins
[05:30] - Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
[07:00] - The Impact of the Gospel in Ephesus
[08:30] - Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians
[10:00] - Strength in Christ Amidst Persecution
[11:30] - The Message to Ephesus in Revelation
[13:00] - The Danger of Losing Our First Love
[14:30] - Living Out Our Identity in Christ
[16:00] - The Eternal Foundation of the Church
[17:30] - Closing Prayer
[18:30] - Apostles' Creed
[20:00] - Communion
[22:00] - Announcements and Final Song
[23:00] - Benediction and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the four key words used to summarize the grand narrative of the Bible? ([27:29])
How did Paul's ministry in Ephesus impact the local economy and society? ([29:31])
What specific prayer did Paul offer for the Ephesians in Ephesians 3:13-19? ([33:12])
What commendation and admonition did Jesus give to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5? ([40:46])

Interpretation Questions

How does the transformative power of the gospel, as seen in Ephesus, challenge us to think about the potential impact of the gospel in our own communities today? ([29:31])
In what ways does Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:13-19 encourage believers to find strength in Christ amidst persecution and hardship? ([33:12])
What does it mean to "abandon your first love" as mentioned in Revelation 2:4-5, and how can this serve as a warning to modern believers? ([40:46])
How should our identity in Christ influence our daily roles and interactions with others? ([31:43])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced the transformative power of the gospel in your own life or community. How did it change you or those around you? ([29:31])
When facing personal hardships or persecution, how can you remind yourself to find strength in Christ rather than in your circumstances? ([33:12])
Have you ever felt that your faith has become routine or secondary? What steps can you take to rekindle your passion for Christ and keep Him at the center of your life? ([40:46])
Think about your various roles (parent, worker, student, etc.). How can you more intentionally reflect your identity as a forgiven child of God in these areas? ([31:43])
What are some practical ways you can ensure that your church remains focused on the gospel and not distracted by secondary issues? ([42:20])
How can you actively participate in spreading the gospel in your community, similar to the passionate believers in Ephesus? ([30:14])
Identify one area in your life where you might have "abandoned your first love" for Christ. What specific actions can you take this week to return to that initial fervor? ([40:46])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The gospel changes the city so much. The economy has changed. Riots are formed against Paul and the Christians. Why? Because Jesus is their foundation. The message of the gospel is what they're standing on." [30:14] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "That foundation of the gospel of Jesus being our strength, our everything. Like that is just as true in Southern California as it was in Ephesus. In Paul's day as well. Now, this is the heart of Christianity, right? The message of the gospel. The foundation of Jesus. And it's through that lens of he has died and risen. And that changes who I am." [31:43] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Don't worry so much about the future that you fail to realize the strength of Christ, the love of Christ that surpasses all understanding. And I pray even for us, like here at Bethlehem, that it would be the same thing, that we would never fall for that mistake or like fear of like the future." [34:18] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It's okay to be broken here. It's okay to say, man, I've screwed up. I feel guilt. I feel shame. I feel beaten down. Why? Because it's in those places of brokenness that all of a sudden the beauty of the gospel, resurrection, and forgiveness of Jesus becomes most apparent." [43:46] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "You have the beginning of the church in Ephesus. They're passionate about the gospel. They're passionate about people knowing the hope in Jesus. You have the middle of the church in Ephesus where Paul is praying that they would be strengthened, that they would know the love of Christ because they see him facing persecution." [39:16] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "For Ephesus, for them to do what they did at first was for them to both confess together their sin, but also to praise, to extol the name of Jesus, to cling to him. And it's an incredible lesson that you learn in Revelation because you see, like, you can have incredible, incredible, incredible, incredible, incredible doctrine and theological beliefs and convictions. You can endure hardships for the name of Jesus, but if your foundation, if your strength, if your proclamation, if the center of who you are is not in him, it's all in vain." [40:46] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "To wake up every morning to see that it's a gift of God, to realize that every person that you come across in your path, God has put them there on purpose. To say, I'm not going to forget who I am. I'm going to recognize my strength, my identity. It all comes from Christ." [42:20] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Do not forget that your strength is in Christ. Now, I know it's easy to kind of say this on a macro zoomed out picture of Ephesus in the book of Revelation, but like, what does this mean for us today? Like, what does it look like if we were to live our lives in such a way that we said, we want Jesus to be at the center of it all?" [42:20] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "It's been a movement kind of in America to say, oh, let's make, you know, these like, attractional churches. And I always find it so funny because you think about it, and it's like, what's so attractional about the church? It's a place where a bunch of sinful hypocrites gather together, and they're broken people, and it's messy, and it's sloppy. The only thing that I would say is attractional about the church is the completed work of Jesus, his death, his resurrection, and what it means for us." [38:02] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?