1 Samuel 1-3 | Luke 8:26-56

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds…” Revelation 2:1

Ephesus is located on the west side of Asia Minor of what is known as present day Turkey. It was one of the richest, most beautiful, diverse and important cities of the ancient world. Ephesus was a port city, where people would travel from all over the world to trade goods and exchange ideas. 

Ephesus is also home to a large and prominent church that seemingly had everything. They had the most incredible list of super pastors that we could imagine. The church was planted by the Apostle Paul, who wrote almost half of the books in the New Testament. After Paul, Timothy became the successor to the church in Ephesus. Additionally, Apollos, whose name was not mentioned a lot in Scripture but was described as one of the most charismatic and eloquent speakers in the early church, was also one of the pastors in Ephesus. Moreover, John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, was believed to have pastored in Ephesus, which was where he probably wrote the Gospel of John as well as his First, Second and Third Epistles. Needless to say, the church in Ephesus had the best theology with their all-star line-up of pastors.

There were also many miracles that happened in Ephesus such as handkerchiefs or aprons that Paul touched healing sick people and evil spirits being driven out. Many of “the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honour” (Acts 19:17). Although the church in Ephesus was strong, large and healthy, it was constantly in a state of tension because of the cultural pulls that were happening there. 

Part of the challenge is when we take these good and wonderful and beautiful things that God is doing and allow them to identify us as a church, whether it be good theology, impactful mission work or miraculous signs and wonders. They are good things but not the main thing. These good works or things are simply fruit falling off of a tree that is deeply rooted in Jesus Christ. A challenge comes when a church can put so much of its identity into a name or a person that is not Jesus. 

Hence, Jesus Christ said to the church in Ephesus: “You have persevered and have endured hardships for My name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first” (Revelation 2:3-4). May our identity not be found in the good things that we do for Jesus Christ but in Him alone—the One whose love compels us. 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, may my identity be found in You alone and not on the work or things that I do in Your name. Thank You, Lord.