What to Remember (Rev 2:1-7) Intro: In spring of 61 AD, Paul gives one last charge to these elders, to take heed to the church in maintaining purity and good works (Acts 20:28-35). But now some time has passed. What is their condition?
Exposition 1. Jesus commends them (v. 2-3) He says, I commend your labor, your purity, your zeal for my name. But.
2. Jesus corrects them (v. 4) Where is your first love (comp. 1Cor 13:2-3)? Where are your first works? They are in spiritual decline.
3. Jesus counsels them to remember, repent, and return to their first love and first works (v. 5) The need is remembrance. The goal is returning. And the cure is repentance. And failure to repent is catastrophic. Jesus threatens to remove the lampstand altogether. And then "everyone who has an ear to hear" is admonished to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. These principles have general application to all churches at all times.
Application Do you think that the standard which we set at the beginning of our church could not be very high? If so, you are badly mistaken, for it scarcely has an equal. These are people who did not treat Christ's glory, dominion, and authority in the church and the earth as things of secondary importance, at least in comparison with their own lives. Is that our spirit today? The Lord says, 'I know that there is something missing. And if you can't yet see it, it's because you need to remember. You need to remember the former days.'
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David Vance
What to Remember Second Reformation Remembered Redeemer Church, ARP
