Motivations
Read Jesus' letter to the church at Ephesus this morning. Evidently this church was special and influential. Paul wrote a letter to this church - we call it the book of Ephesians - and Jesus had a special word just for these folks in Revelation 2:1-7.
I think Jesus was proud of this little church in a very multicultural, multi-spiritual and religious community. The Temple of Artemis was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Since Eohesus sat along the coast it was rich in trading - both through the seas and along the roads. Influences, both good and bad, were brought from everywhere.
Jesus told the church at Ephesus that he was proud of them. They had not put up with false teachers. They had not put with evil and stood up against immorality and those who watered down God's standards for their own rationales, only to fulfill their own desires. Yet, their motivation was called into question. Where was their love for God? Where was their love for one another? Had their practices become traditions? Had they beomce the legalists Jesus, John the Baptist, and the early church fathers confronted in their own ministries? Where was their love and passion for God and for one another?
I'm not sure I know how they got to this place. I'm not sure how any of us get to this place (and us I mean our churches). Regardless of where they were, Jesus offered a solution - "Remember how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first." That was all there was to it - acknowledge where you are and genuinely turn from it and turn back to Jesus. Fall in love with Jesus once again.
What about your church? You guys still doing the right things for the right reason? Why do you do what you do - Pushing up numbers? Recognition? Status among the brethren or in the community? If we do anything for any other reason other than because we truly love God and love one another, then we are no better than the church at Ephesus.
Remember, Love God. . .Love People. . .that's why we're here!
Mike
I think Jesus was proud of this little church in a very multicultural, multi-spiritual and religious community. The Temple of Artemis was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Since Eohesus sat along the coast it was rich in trading - both through the seas and along the roads. Influences, both good and bad, were brought from everywhere.
Jesus told the church at Ephesus that he was proud of them. They had not put up with false teachers. They had not put with evil and stood up against immorality and those who watered down God's standards for their own rationales, only to fulfill their own desires. Yet, their motivation was called into question. Where was their love for God? Where was their love for one another? Had their practices become traditions? Had they beomce the legalists Jesus, John the Baptist, and the early church fathers confronted in their own ministries? Where was their love and passion for God and for one another?
I'm not sure I know how they got to this place. I'm not sure how any of us get to this place (and us I mean our churches). Regardless of where they were, Jesus offered a solution - "Remember how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first." That was all there was to it - acknowledge where you are and genuinely turn from it and turn back to Jesus. Fall in love with Jesus once again.
What about your church? You guys still doing the right things for the right reason? Why do you do what you do - Pushing up numbers? Recognition? Status among the brethren or in the community? If we do anything for any other reason other than because we truly love God and love one another, then we are no better than the church at Ephesus.
Remember, Love God. . .Love People. . .that's why we're here!
Mike
Comments
Thanks for sharing ....it made me stop and pray they continue to do church solely for God and to pray for other church that need to read your blog...
love you
MOM