Topic: Ephesus: The Loveless Church (I)
Fire Scripture: Rev.2:1 -7
2 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Outline: MFM Devotional 13th September 2021
The first letter from Jesus was sent to the Church at Ephesus. For us to understand the letter, let us look at the city of Ephesus and the Church that was there. The city of Ephesus was then a buoyant commercial centre of Asia and has an excellent harbor. It was like the banking centre of the whole world because it was very economically valuable.
It was equally a city where a big temple for Diana, a goddess, was built. There was a great vault in the temple of Diana where nobody could think or dare to steal. It was therefore very safe to keep money and all sorts of valuables there (Acts 19). Act 18: 18-21 tells us that Paul came to Ephesus with the Christian couple who were great teachers of God’s word, Aquila and Pricilla.
This tells us how much of God’s word was taught to the Ephesians Christians. It is equally important to note that opposition was raised against the church, believing that the new faith is contrary to their idolatrous worship of Diana, the goddess of prosperity (Acts 19:23-44). Yet this church stood in their faith and love for Christ (Eph. 1:11-19) against the predominant anti-Christ environment and tradition (Eph. 2:12-13).
Beloved, even the church of today, like the church in Ephesus, is confronted with many opposition in the world around us, traditions of men, strange beliefs and philosophy, riches, technology and more. In Rev. 2:4, the Lord revealed that He had a thing against the church, although she was praised earlier for her good words in veres 2 and 3. He said, “Nevertheless…” That is a word of caution here. Alas, this church has left her first love! Verse 5 calls for instant repentance.
Today, the love of many Christians is waxing cold towards the Lord! Many do things just as a matter of routine and no more for the love of Christ. Beloved of the Lord, has your love for God also waxed cold? Are you still as fervent as when you started this race? Repent now and be restored. When you are restored, there is a reward. You will eat from the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God. May we be partakers of this glorious opportunity, in Jesus’ name.
MEMORY VERSE:
Rom. 13:10 – Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
Nothing can be compared to God’s love.
PROPHETIC WORD:
The Lord shall baptise you with the heart that loves without holding back, in the name of Jesus.
MFM DEVOTIONAL 13TH SEPTEMBER 2021 HYMN: Thy kingdom come
1. Thy kingdom come, O God,
Thy rule, O Christ, begin;
Break with Thine iron rod
The tyrannies of sin.
And purity, and love?
When shall all hatred cease,
As in the realms above?
3. When comes the promised time
That war shall be no more,
And lust, oppression, crime
Shall flee Thy face before?
4. We pray Thee, Lord, arise,
And come in Thy great might;
Revive our longing eyes,
Which languish for Thy sight.
5. Men scorn Thy sacred name
And wolves devour Thy fold;
By many deeds of shame
We learn that love grows cold.
6. O’er heathen lands afar
Thick darkness broodeth yet:
Arise, O morning Star,
Arise, and never set.
TODAY’S PRAYER POINTS
MORNING
1. My Father, do not allow Your love to wax cold in my heart, in the name of Jesus.
2. Darkness assigned against my spiritual life, scatter, in the name of Jesus.
3. Love of Christ, overshadow my life, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
4. Any power that wants me to offend God, die, in the name of Jesus
5. O God, arise and help me to live and do what pleases You always, in the name of Jesus.
6. Spirit of darkness, jump out of my life, in the name of Jesus.
7. My Father, restore Your love into my heart, in the name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 1; Ezra 2; Ezra 3
Open Heaven 13th September 2021 Monday – Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!
MFM Daily Devotional 13th September 2021. The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) is a Pentecostal denomination founded in Yaba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria in 1989, now with churches in several countries. It was founded by Daniel Kolawole Olukoya
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