In Revelation 2:1-7 Jesus commends the church in Ephesus for its defence of sound doctrine. But he also criticizes them for their lack of loving service to others. The church, it seems, has spent all its energies guarding its doctrinal boundaries. And It seems that forgetting to love others is a consequence.

Making our faith only about what we believe is an easy mistake to make. Especially so when society persecutes the church. While having correct doctrine is essential, if it doesn’t move us to lovingly serve others, our doctrine is deficient. That’s why Jesus commands the Ephesian church to do the works they did at first. The kind of love he’s looking for is expressed in works of service to others.

While Christians need to mind their doctrine carefully, they can’t allow themselves to use doctrine as an excuse for exclusion. If we hold firmly to Jesus and his kingdom teaching, we will face hostility. Yet, how we respond to that hostility is the key. When we respond to hostility with more hostility, we look just like everyone else. But when we respond to hostility with loving service then others can see Jesus’ life at work in us. We must hold on to what is true without forgetting to love others.

The Revelation Timeline

Here’s the first Century timeline used in the sermon.

Check out last week’s sermon