There are three things I want to reveal in this text.

First, a commendation. Vs1-3

Secondly, a warning vs4-6

Thirdly, a charge vs7

The Lord Jesus reproves and corrects his church. He tells us what's right and wrong.

First, a commendation. Revelation 2:1-3 - "Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: "I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary."

The Lord Jesus speaks well of us, and he knows our works. He knows if we are trusting him, and if it bears fruit. It may not be obvious to others, but it is crystal clear to Christ.

Therefore, let us hear the words of the Savior, and see if they apply to us.

“I know your works.” This is full knowledge. We don’t have to worry about a lack of recognition. We do our good works in secret, and the Father rewards us openly. We never have to impress anyone. We simply serve people, walk in love, and the Lord opens doors as he pleases. No one can shut a door that he opens.

“Your labor.” You work hard. You are not lazy. I spoke to someone last night having a tough time. He thought serving Christ is easy. He was expecting a wife, a good job, and a downhill stroll to heaven. Instead, he got warfare and disappointment, internal rebellion, and business losses. His dreams have been deferred, and there's no wife to comfort him. What shall he do? Keep going. Keep on getting grace to do what you must, which is serve God in the joy of the Spirit.

You have “found them liars.” We are right to test false doctrines. We are right to disapprove of what is evil. It is wrong to say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, so long as you are sincere.” Billy Graham, the too famous American evangelist, said that Muslims and people who’ve never heard the gospel can be saved by the light of conscience, without Jesus. That's impossible. We must have the truth of the gospel. Colossians 1:5-6, "because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the message of truth, the gospel that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and recognized God’s grace in the truth."

“You have not become weary.” You’ve endured hardship and disappointments. You’ve endured the loss of friends, family, and opportunity. Life has punched you, and Satan has upped his attacks, but you have not quit. Praise God for this grace to persevere. Praise him for your courage!

Secondly, we have a warning. Revelation 2:4-5 - ""But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."

You left the love you had at first. You abandoned the Lord Jesus Christ dwelling in your heart by faith. You are religious, but you’ve lost the joy of your salvation. You do good, but too much is in the flesh. You’re looking at OTHER PEOPLE’S sins, instead of seeing your own. You’re preaching grace, but you’re relying on yourself, and you are proud.

Let us be careful about these things, or we’ll lose our candlestick. The Lord Jesus will take the light from us, because these things are important. We want to be gospel motivated with gospel comfort. Christ’s love must dwell in the heart, or we can’t serve. We need the Holy Spirit to rejoice in the Lord, and to love him supremely. Let’s not serve ourselves, using “ministry.” Philippians 1:15, "To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of good will." Let’s not think that we are great. Let us humble ourselves and help people up, because we are helped ourselves.

“Repent and do the first works.” Come to Christ as a sinner, daily. Acknowledge that you have no power to live godly - that you can fake it, but you can’t warm your heart in the fires of love.

Come to him desperate for joy. He must supply everything. We will not preach Christ, and live for ourselves. Come to him, until you get him! Don’t be satisfied with Bible study. Get the living Christ. He’s available, and accessible. He wants to revive you. Ephesians 5:14, "Therefore it says, 'Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

He warns us plainly, “or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place.” He’ll take the gospel from us, and close down the church. If Christ isn’t worshiped inwardly, he won’t tolerate the outward voice. Just like the demons, who he told to shut up, he’ll silence the church that doesn’t have the Spirit [Mark 1:34]. If the gospel isn’t preached in power, then it isn’t preached in faith and love. God will allow heresies to come in. The church will move further from Christ.

Oh, repent, and do the first works. Repent, and he’ll receive you. Luke 13:5, "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” He can turn the church around, and change your life. He can do it, because he’s gracious. It doesn’t require anything of you. Only admit that you are wrong, and turn to him. Jeremiah 3:13, "Only acknowledge your guilt,

that you have rebelled against the Lord your God, and scattered your favors among strangers under every green tree,

and have not obeyed my voice, says the Lord." He will receive you. He’ll restore your joy. Your fortunes will improve.

At least you hate "the deeds of the Nicolaitans." He’s not rebuking us for good works. He rebukes us for bad works posing as good, because they come from a corrupted heart, for the praise of men. There’s a subtle self seeking in our good deeds that zaps the life out of them. He wants us doing good… hating licentiousness… from a heart of grace and faith, not works based self righteousness and merit seeking.

Fight laziness and the, “Sin that grace may abound,” attitude. Someone rightly said, “Good works are the embodiment of faith.” They are what faith looks like. Christ wants our zeal motivated by love. Let us please Christ by rightly dividing his word.

Thirdly, we have an exhortation. Revelation 2:7 - "Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Conquering means that I overcome my sins. It means I go to the Lord Jesus for grace, and I don’t take, “No,” for an answer. It means that though discouraged by my falls, I’m encouraging by his word and faithfulness.

Saints, the time to fight is now. Our warfare will be over soon, and we’ll enter eternal rest. 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure."

In heaven, there's no more resisting sin, and no more repentance. Until then, however, we fight with sword in hand, taking the whole armor of God, and we stand against Satan, putting him to shame by the power of the living Christ.