The Declining Church
The Declining Church
Revelation 2:1-7
Introduction
Acts 19:28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
I. Their Commendation (2, 3, 6)
Eph. 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
A. Labour (2, 3 expounded)
i. Labor with long-suffering “borne, and hast patience”
ii. Labor of Love “for my name’s sake”
iii. Labored at length “hast not fainted”
B. Long-suffering (2) “patience”
C. Loathing of evil (2, 6)
i. Low tolerance for wickedness! “canst not bear”
ii. Loathing of false apostles! “hast found them liars”
II. Their Correction (4)
Prov. 15:3 ¶ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
A. Left
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
B. Left love
III. The Command (5)
A. Remember
i. Remember your passion for the Lord
ii. Remember why you Love the LORD!
1John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Rom. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
B. Repent
C. Return to God!
IV. The Caution (5)
A. Quickly
B. Remove thy candlestick (church)
1Sam. 4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken,…