586. REV 2:4. THE CHARGE AGAINST THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS
Rev_2:4. The Charge Against the Church at Ephesus
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee," because thou hast left thy first love."’97Rev_2:4.
The text is addressed to the Church of Christ at Ephesus. Ephesus was a celebrated city of Ionia, in Asia Minor, forty-five miles S. E. of Smyrna, built on the side of a hill on the river Cayster, and about five miles from the sea. It was the principal mart as well as the metropolis of the proconsular Asia, and was greatly renowned on account of its magnificent temple erected to Diana. The great apostle of the Gentiles visited this city when on his way to Jerusalem. Act_18:19. He afterwards paid a second visit to it, and faithfully labored in the gospel of Christ for the space of two years. Here the gospel effected mighty changes in the hearts and lives of many of the Ephesians. See Act_19:19, &c. To the church established here the apostle addressed one of his most rich and interesting epistles, about five years after he had preached the gospel unto them. It was about thirty years after this that the beloved and holy John was expressly directed to make known to them the will of God, of which our text forms a part. Fervent religion had declined, a spirit of formalism prevailed, and hence the threatenings with which the address concludes. Long since has that threatening been put in execution. It is described now as being a mere heap of stones, and a few mud cottages, without one Christian residing in it. Not only is the Church of Christ extinct, but the once far-famed city of Ephesus is no more. Happy, if only the Christians of Ephesus could be included in the charge of the text’97we fear its truths are applicable to some here’97yea, to some in every Christian congregation.
Let us then,
I. Examine the charge made.
II. The counsel given. And,
III. The threatening appended.
I. The charge made. Observe, it is not licentiousness of conduct, corruption of doctrine, neglect of discipline. It is not the apostasy of the members of the church of Ephesus, but it is the declension of their spiritual affection’97the loss of their first love.
(1.) Now, vital religion consists very essentially in love to Jesus Christ. Hence the Saviour’s address to Peter. Hence the malediction, "If any man love not," &c. Hence the declaration, "God is love," &c.
(2.) Now, the first love of the Christian is usually very fervent and intense. "First love." How ardent. How glowing. How cheerful. How self-denying. How influential. See it evinced in the spiritual and grateful conversation. See it in the earnest reading of the Word. See it in the early and regular attendance in the sanctuary. See it in the liberality and zeal for the cause of Christ. See it in the love of devotion and meditation in the closet, &c. Observe, then,
(3.) The loss of this first love. Not of all love. Not of esteem and confidence, &c., but this first love. How the picture I have drawn is reversed! Conversation less religious. Bible more neglected’97prayer less regarded’97ordinances less prized’97liberality less exhibited’97ministers less esteemed’97the world, &c., more in favor, &c. Religion now more of duty, less of privilege’97more of service, less of pleasure’97more of constraint, less of choice. Ah, what says the Bible’97the closet’97the pew’97but more, the conscience?
II. The counsel given.
1. Meditative remembrance. Remember from whence, &c. Look back to your high, and holy, and blessed standing. Think of the period when ye were the inhabitants of the rock’97elevated, distinguished, happy. A bright prospect of glory. And now in the desert, yea, in the maze’97depressed, gloomy, &c. Remember and ponder well the subject.
2. Repentance. Change your minds. Return to your first views and feelings respecting your souls and Christ Jesus. Regret the change. Sorrow over the deterioration. Mourn over your backslidings, confess your sins. "Return unto the Lord," &c.
3. A re-performance of first duties. Begin as at first. Be diligent, lively, persevering, prayerful as at first. For Christ, and his love, and his gospel, and salvation are now equally as precious. Now, mark,
III. The threatening appended. This counsel neglected, God declares what he will do. "Remove the candlestick," &c. It is said that this admonition had a good effect. That they were awakened to fresh zeal, &c., but afterwards fell into the corruption which overspread the Christian world. The threatening is the extinction of the church. Christ forsaking it, &c. Then Ichabod, &c. Now, this will equally apply to individual members. Christ will have the intense, fervent love of his people, or he will abandon his residence. Think of this, and remember how David prayed against it. "Cast me not," &c. If he departs, nothing will be left but dreariness, discomfort, despondency, apostasy, and ruin. "If thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever." Let the subject then lead,
1. To personal self-examination. Does it address me? Am I the person? Oh, do this faithfully. In the light of God’s word. With prayer for the Holy Spirit’s assistance, &c. "O Lord, search me," &c.
2. To a. reconsecration of ourselves to God. This is oftentimes necessary. Our condition is perilous. Temptations very numerous, &c.
3. Let it urge to constant vigilance. Be vigilant, &c. Let me urge this on young converts, &c. Live near to God. Cleave to the Lord. Give diligence, &c. Watch your lips. Be particular in your associates. Guard against the world. Trust not your own hearts. Exercise constant faith in Christ and earnest prayer, &c. Wait on the Lord, &c.
4. Some never have loved Jesus Christ. How ungrateful, base, dangerous. O reflect, repel, believe, &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS