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                                                                Ruins of the Church of Ephesus

History and background of Ephesus

Ephesus was a prominent city—the gateway to Asia Minor. The city was the center for the worship of Diana (Mother of the gods) and in 480 BC the great temple of Diana was erected here as a symbol to the world. The temple was destroyed in 263 AD and only the foundation stones remain.

The Roman idol Diana was known to the pagan Greeks as Artemis. Her cult is mentioned
in the Bible, where some translations call it"Diana of the Ephesians" while others use
"Artemis of the Ephesians."

The idol's most extravagant temple was at Ephesus. It became one of the "seven wonders"
of the ancient world. Constructed over the span of 220 years, of pure marble, it measured
345 feet long, by 165 wide, and was supported by massive columns each 55 feet high.
Inside was a bizarre statue of the "fertility" idol, the original of which was apparently carved
from a meteorite that had "fallen from heaven." (Acts 19:35)

In Ephesus, Christianity struck a blow to the worship of Diana, the Mother of the gods. It is noteworthy that the modern-day equivalent, the worship of Mary as the mother of God, finds its root in Ephesus. In 451 AD, at the Council of Ephesus, the Roman Catholic Church bequeathed the title "Mother of God" to Mary, thus reviving the ancient cult in a modern garb.

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church of Ephesus as well. We know this letter as the book of Ephesians and we learn much about this church from his epistle. Paul beseeches the Ephesian Christians to live worthy of their calling to serve God (Ephesians 4:1-2). He explains to them afresh what it means to have put on Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24). His warning to "grieve not the holy Spirit" (Ephesians 4:30) is an indication of the intensity of the battle for the soul.

Paul calls the Ephesians back to unity (Ephesians 4:3-6), and admonishes them not to sin but to walk in love and the light of the Gospel (Ephesians 4:26).

So what happened in Ephesus?

Plenty. It was in Ephesus that Apollos was discipled and trained (Acts 18:24-27). It was in Ephesus that the sick were healed by Paul’s old handkerchiefs and aprons (Acts 19:12). It was in Ephesus that the seven sons of Sceva was attack by a demon possessed man (Acts 19:13-17). It was in Ephesus that a massive pile of magic books were burnt (Acts 19:19). It was in Ephesus that Demetrius started a massive uproar as thousands protested at the declining influence of Artemis and decline in trade of silver idols because of the growth of the church.

The apostle Paul remained in Ephesus for more than two years on his third major journey, and his preaching led to a major conflict between the Gospel and the worship of Diana. This preaching turned many away from idol worship, upsetting silversmiths who specialized in the manufacture of idols (Acts 19:26).

Paul had a three-year tenure in Ephesus. It was there that penitent believers renounced their superstitions by burning books of black magic worth fifty thousand pieces of silver (Acts 19:18-19) and there that the gospel was so effective that alarmed idol craftsmen caused a citywide riot (Acts 19:23-41).

Paul's work in Ephesus was approximately A.D. 55-58 and his epistle to them was written approximately A.D. 60-62. The letters to Timothy were not long before his death in about the year 68.

So what was wrong with the church in Ephesus?
The letter begins with such praise that at first we might assume that nothing was wrong at Ephesus. They were a working, enduring, sound church that opposed evil doers, fake apostles and hateful practices. Today, when false teachers are often tolerated rather than being tried, when there seems to be so little labor for Christ, and when people would give up the Lord before they would give up their leisure—in such a time, we would feel, no doubt, that Ephesus was a great congregation.

But religious formalities cannot disguise a heart grown cold. They were not charged with error in doctrine, nor of unscriptural in practices. Immorality was not the problem. In fact, the opening commendations might suggest to anyone that here was an ideal congregation. “Nevertheless,” Jesus looked into their hearts and saw that the first love was gone.

How many of our churches today are lifeless, dull, and mechanical? How many lack the light and witness of Christ and His power? The condition in this church, and in our churches and individual lives, did not happen overnight. It was a gradual process whereby believers left their "first" love, their passionate love for Christ.

One fault is enough to ruin a church, especially if that fault is the absence of love.
1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a
                clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all
               faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not
                love, it profits me nothing
The Solution

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen - Consider the state of grace in which you once stood; the happiness, love, and joy which you felt when you first accepted Jesus; the zeal ye had for God’s glory and the salvation of mankind; your willing, obedient spirit, your cheerful self-denial, your fervor in private prayer, your detachment from the world. Remember all of these.
Repent - It does not indicate mere regret, such as may be caused by the consequence of our actions. The word used here also means “to change one’s mind and purposes”. We need to take a look into our hearts and be honest with ourselves and with God. Do we love Jesus like we used to? Has the fire went out? Is the excitement and joy still there? Does something seem to be missing? Just be honest with God and repent from the heart.
Do the first works - This means that you must go back to the basics, to the very first things you did when you first accepted Jesus.
Remember how you used to spend time in His Word?
Remember how you used to pray?
Remember how excited you were about telling others about Jesus?
Remember how prayer and studying God’s word had priority over the TV and pleasures of life.

We are not sure what the first works of the Church of Ephesus were but we know that works must be done with love from the heart. The first works will not be the same for everybody so we must think back and remember what our first works were.

What are works? – Sometimes when we think about doing more works we think about praying more, reading more, having more bible studies, visiting more, etc. While these works are good there is more to works than just the physical labor. The scriptures tells us in Col 1:10 that we should be fruitful in every good work. So what are the different ways of bearing fruit and having good works?

1. Fruit of the Spirit
Gal 5:22 – 23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
                    self-control.
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

2. Fruit of our lips
Heb 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving
                 thanks to His name.

3. Fruit of our labor
Php 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Php 1:22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.

Have we left our first love?

Lets ask ourselves some questions.

(1) Do you still have the desire to spend time with God like you once had?
     Jas 4:8 tells us to draw near to God and He will draw near to us.

(2) Is bible reading and studying a “chore” – just something to mark off your “to do” list?
     2 Tim 2:15 says in the KJV to: Study to shew thyself approved unto God.

(3) Has prayer become a burden or duty? Have your prayers become cold and dry? Is it just something you know you
     should do but your heart is not in it? Do you pray the same thing over and over again and are to the point that you
     could write it down and just read your prayer to God? Jas 5:16 says: The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man
     avails much.

(4) Do you have the joy and peace that you had when first got saved? Is the fire burning in your heart like it used to? Do
     you really love God like you once did? Mar 12:30 says: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
     with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

(5) Are you more concerned about your physical health, well-being, and comfort than you are about the well-being and
     condition of your soul? Mat 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

(6) Do you give more priority in doing the things you want to do instead of making the time to do the things that God
     wants you to do? Mat 6:33 says: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall
     be added to you.

(7) Do you display attitudes that you know are contrary to Scripture, but continue in them anyway? Php 2:14 says: Do
      all things without complaining and disputing. 1Th 5:18 says: in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in
      Christ Jesus for you.

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

How does others see our good works. They don’t see us on our knees praying, they don’t see us reading and studying,
they don’t see us having bible study. So what do they see? They see our lives and our attidude. They see if we show
love and compassion. They see how we handle difficult situations. They see how we talk to others. They see if we are
willing to help others. WE ARE BEING WATCHED. SO:

                                                               Are we letting our light shine?