A revision of an assignment for one of my classes, this blog is a reflection on the role of worship in the Book of Revelation. I found it interesting, so I thought I would share. The two books referenced are Charts on Revelation by Dr. Mark Wilson and The Revelation to John commentary by Stephen S. Smalley.
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Since God is worthy of all honor and praise,  it should be no surprise that worship is a major theme of the book of Revelation. The four living creatures, the elders, the angels, the heavenly voices, the great multitude, the saints, and the nations are all depicted worshiping God. The seven hymns in Revelation declare that: God is Holy (Rev. 4); worthy (Rev. 5); the source of salvation (Rev. 7); powerful to reward and to judge (Rev 11); marvelous, true and righteous (Rev 15); just in his judgments (Rev 16); and holy, victorious, reigning, and glorious (Rev 19) (Wilson, 74). Utilizing a combination of doxologies, acclamations, amen choruses, victory hymns, hymns of thanksgiving, praise hymns, and other songs, the book of Revelation lays a foundation of worshiping God both in heaven and on earth.

“The rejection of John’s attempt to worship the angel… and the command to ‘Worship God’ instead, is more likely to be related to one of the main themes of the Apocalypse. The seer is conscious of the insidious danger to Christian witness of idolatry, which has been in mind during the visions concerning Babylon…  A clear choice must be made between ‘Babylon’ and ‘Jerusalem’; and true worship means obedience to the one God, not to those like the beast who claim divine status, or even to God’s heavenly agents.” (Smalley, 486).

This blog post is taken from last week's assignment in my Global Pentecostalism class. It is my reflection on our readings on the foundational history of the Pentecostal movement (pre-Asuza street).
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Growing up,  I learned that “crazy Pentecostals” practiced “demonic” behaviors... [now]  I consider myself a Pentecostal (on most days) ... but I normally tell people that I am an evangelical semi-reformed charismatic Christian. My description is generally an effort to start a conversation while recognizing my multi-denominational background and attempting to avoid being put into a denominational box. Little did I know, my description of my own faith is actually a great description of the roots of the Pentecostal movement.

One of our texts; see Ch.2.

Pentecostalism is most certainly evangelical with a great focus on international missions. It is most certainly charismatic with an emphasis on the empowering of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. And though I never really thought of Pentecostalism as a Reformed,  after this week’s readings, I am reminded that Pentecostalism has emerged from a wide variety of influences including the Reformed tradition.

Drawing from Catholic mysticism, German Pietism, Zinzendorf and the Moravians, Wesley and the Holiness movement, the Keswick Convention and revivalism, and a number of global awakenings… Pentecostalism is most certainly a wider movement covering a greater spectrum than most people recognize. While many pinpoint Pentecostalism to Azusa Street, it is important to recall that there were three distinct streams of the foundational movement before that particular outpouring.

1. The Wesleyan/Holiness perspective- a fullness of sanctification is the second blessing
2. The Keswick/Reformed perspective - the baptism of the Spirit is an empowerment for service
3. The ‘third blessing’ perspective - which emerged into the beliefs that the baptism of the Spirit is a subsequent blessing evidenced by speaking in tongues.

It is also important to note that while many outpourings of the Spirit occurred with manifestations of the Spirit [and that each of these perspectives included the belief of a baptism/empowerment/infilling of the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation], Parham was the first to indicate that speaking in tongues was an initial physical sign of Baptism of the Spirit [some time after each of these three streams were already gaining momentum]. It seems that the birth of Pentecostalism is often linked to this doctrine, when in all actuality there is a rich history before and beyond Parham’s conclusion.

Another observation that I found interesting was how abruptly some of the sub-movements came to a halt. It is interesting to note that momentum seemed to stop when the leaders involved became too prideful or judgmental.  [Just one example is Parnham himself.] After judgmentally trying to distinguish between true and false tongues, Parham’s movement fizzled out, a scandal occurred, and he lived the rest of his life in obscurity. Perhaps it is merely a coincidence, but it seems that humility and prayer played a key role in many of these outpourings.

Similarly, I think it is important to remain humble when considering the origins of Pentecostalism. Personally, one of the reasons I tend to stray from describing myself as a Pentecostal when initially asked for a denominational/doctrinal association is due to the fact that Pentecostalism seems to trace the beginning of the Holy Spirit moving back to Azusa Street while placing speaking in tongues on a pedestal because of the uniqueness of the doctrine at that time. 

How often does someone defend the history of manifestations of the Spirit by pointing back to Tertullian or Zinzendorf? Our narrow definition of Pentecostalism allows us to reference Acts 2 or the aftermath of Azusa, while failing to acknowledge everything that God has done in the almost two thousand years between.   Perhaps a recognition of a [more accurate] history would help bridge the gap between denominational Pentecostalism and other branches of Christianity.  Limiting the scope of Pentecostalism to Asuza and what follows eliminates the ability to connect with fellow believers with the same rich history and beliefs. It also diminishes our ability to encourage traditionally "non-Pentecostal" denominations to continue to seek the empowering of the Holy Spirit, as we are neglecting to recall that the gifts of the Spirit were prominent in North America and around the globe before our idea of denominational Pentecostalism was even initiated.

In contrast, when one takes a step back and really takes in the scope of the rich history of the global movement, it is humbling to be able to consider oneself a Pentecostal and exciting to know that Holy Spirit is still actively moving as Pentecostalism/Charismatic Christianity is the fastest growing faith in the world.

Most of my day consisted of reading Gadamer's take on philosophical hermeneutics, which I oddly kind of enjoy.  I am particularly challenged by a passage explaining a bit of what it means to understand the Gospel. Before I share the quote, here is a short snippet of Gadamer's hermeneutics.

Classic romantic hermeneutics viewed understanding, interpretation, and application as three separate processes. Gadamer, however, concludes that understanding is always interpretation. Furthermore, understanding and interpretation are always combined with application to form one unified process. While every individual approaches the process of understanding with their own presuppositions or prejudices, understanding is not the process of validating those presuppositions by finding a methodology that allows for an examination of the text or artwork or event that supports our preconceived notions. "On the contrary, the interpreter risks his own position to place [his presuppositions] in the light of the governing claim of the text" (Palmer on Gadamer in Hermenutics, 188)  This process of understanding actually alters our horizon as we interact with the text because it causes a fusion of horizons where the individual's perspective meets the perspective of the text.The individual's process of understanding is an event and must be viewed as such, which necessitates that "Understanding always include application to the present" (Palmer, 191)

"[Hermeneutics recognizes] application as an integral element of all understanding. In both legal and theological hermeneutics there is an essential tension between the fixed text- the law or the gospel- on the one hand and, on the other, the sense arrived at by applying it at the concrete moment of interpretation, either in judgment or in preaching. A law does not exist in order to be understood historically, but to be concertized in its legal validity by being interpreted. Similarly, the gospel does not exist in order to be understood as a merely historical document, but to be taken in such a way that it exercises its saving effect. This implies that the text, whether law or gospel, if it is to be understood properly-i.e. according to the claim it makes- must be understood at every moment, in every concrete situation, in a new and different way. Understanding here is always application." - Gadamer, Truth and Method, (307-308).

This paragraph is convicting because it causes me question how well I actually understand the Gospel. Do I apply it in every moment, in every situation, in creative and appropriate ways? Do I always apply the Gospel to my thoughts, words, actions- to everything that comprises my own horizon? No, I can't honestly say that I do, but I pray that some day I will.  Thankfully, as another one of our readings reminded us, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in understanding the Gospel. It's humbling to know that I don't fully understand the Gospel, but encouraging to know that I have the Helper to guide me as I continue this process of understanding the Word of God. 

There is so much that I want to blog, but most of my thoughts will probably never materialize on the screen. I'm in a season of self discovery, or perhaps re-discovery. Not by choice, but by circumstance. Apparently some seminary classes love to make you think about yourself and your future ministry.

One such class is called Spiritual Formation and one of our tasks was to read a book call Discover Your God-Given Gifts by Don & Katie Fortune. In summary, this couple created a personality test to inventory the motivational spiritual gifts of individuals.

By motivational gifts, they mean the seven gifts mentioned in Romans 12: Perciever (prophet), Server, Teacher, Exhorter, Giver, Administrator, Compassion person (mercy). They focus on these gifts because they are the ones that we possess as personality traits and we have control over exerting.  In comparison, the manifestation gifts (1 Cor. 12) are gifts to the people being ministered to, not the people acting as a conduit for ministry, and are dictated by the will of the Holy Spirit. Also, the ministerial gifts (Ephesians 4) are gifts to the church for the purpose of equipping the Body of Christ and these gifts are people rather than possessions.  Thus, the authors focus on the motivational gifts because they are the ones we actually possess  and that we choose to operate in or neglect based on our free will (14-18).

As Christians everyone ministers in all the gifts to a certain extent, but each individual has dominate gifts ingrained into the essence of who they are. If you are experiencing frustration, the authors of this book believe that there is a good chance that you are neglecting to operate in your gifts. Likewise, if you are finding joy in your spiritual life, it is likely that you are operating and developing your gifts.

So I took the quiz, and my top four categories were within eleven points of one another: Perciever (91/100 possible points), Exhorter (88), Teacher (82), and Administrator (80).  In other words,  I am designed to excel at meeting spiritual, mental, psychological and functional needs while declaring the will of God, encouraging personal progress, resourcing and teaching truth, and giving leadership and direction in the lives of those around me. Surprising? Not at all. Forgotten? Maybe.

The score sheet from this assessment reminded me of another personality inventory I took years ago. According to Strength Finder's, my top skills are: Achiever, Communication, Connectedness, Learner, and Self-Assurance. If you are familiar with the assessment, you'll notice that the qualities listed definitely affirm the motivational gift test results.


It's amazing to see how God has shaped and is continually shaping my personality. The challenge is continually choosing to live a life that exhibits that personality and to serve others by utilizing my personal gifts. When we neglect our gifts, we often feel incomplete and unsatisfied because we aren't fulfilling our God given purpose.

To be honest, that is kind of how I feel most days. I'm not referring to depression, but a sense of frustration because I feel out of place. The moments that I find most joy in are the times that I am praying with people, sharing the message of the Gospel, showing someone something new about God, studying God's word, or overseeing a group. I do find these joys in my life, but not often enough.

The questions that surfaces are: am I intentionally or subconsciously neglecting to step into the areas that highlight my giftings? Or are circumstances not providing the opportunity to choose to serve in those areas? Or is it some combination of the two? And how do I continue to utilize and develop my personality and gifts in a way that glories the One who created and is continually transforming me?

Because of my own sin and depravity and stupidity, the first few verses of Ephesians 2 are easy truths to believe:

 "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." 2:1-3. 

Ironically enough, I begin this post with a confession: "I am the problem, and I cannot be the solution." There is a repetitive sin issue that creeps up in my life when I least expect it. Call it my own personal "thorn in the side", and I have a tendency to justify it with an explanation of my vulnerability or to angrily blame Satan for tempting me. What I generally fail to realize is that even if I am legitimately vulnerable and spiritual warfare is playing a factor, I am still the problem because I am still the one who chooses to sin when I know that there is a better option.


Apart from God, we choose to follow the culture zeitgeist of our time and choose to allow spiritual warfare to play a role in our lives. The emphasis here is choice. Apart from Christ, we choose death. Consequently, we choose to put ourselves under God's wrath because God hates sin. Not surprisingly, as a follower of Jesus, I hate sin too and I hate myself when I choose to follow my sinful nature instead of my Lord.


My cryptic confession warrants another commitment to repentance, only I think I will take the advice of scripture and let Jesus be the only answer this time around.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 2:5-10

God loved us so much that He could not bare to see us as the objects of His wrath, so He entered into history as a man so that we may now what it is to choose God over death and so that He could be the object of His own wrath in order that we may be spared. It is through His grace that we are saved through faith. This verse may be one of the most quoted in Protestant theology, and for good reason. Salvation occurred at the cross because of God's grace- through His gift of Himself. There is nothing we can do to earn it or repay Him or deserve it. In fact, the only thing we can do is have faith and we can't even have that apart from trust in God and the strength of the Holy Spirit because Hebrews 11 tells us that faith means trusting in the unseen and the unrealized. Nothing I do changes the fact that salvation is from God alone. Furthermore, I cannot boast about my faith or my works because God leaves no room for boasting in anything but His glory. He created us to do good works and prepared them in advance for us to do. So even the good that we do is not to be praised because in doing good we are merely doing what we were designed to do.


I love how humbling this passage is. It reminds me of my depravity, of my need to continually accept the gift of Christ.  I am once again reminded that God saves me from myself and raises me up to be with Him... and there is nothing I can do to be worthy of that gift.


 It is a gift that demands my response, and my response is to continually lay down my life, turn from my sinful nature, and choose to follow Jesus and to embrace the good works He has called me to do. So, once again, Lord I choose You. I love you, but not nearly enough. So, Jesus, please give me grace and strength to love and follow you.

Last night we began small group with a little modified Lecto Divinia . After reading through Ephesians 1:15-23 out loud in five different translations, we discussed what struck us about the passage. Ignore the rest of my blog and the world for a few minutes. Read this scripture aloud three or four times, and jot down a few things that really stand out in your mind. 

"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

When I was preparing for our study a few things stood out to me right away: the enlightening of hearts, the emphasis of power of God, and the fullness of Christ.  After a more detailed study, much prayer, and some help from trustworthy commentaries, here are some of my thoughts regarding this passage. 


Ephesians 1:15-23 is Paul's intercessory prayer for the Church and serves as a model of how we can pray for believers. Paul is clear that he is grateful for their faith and praying for them constantly. Even though he does not seem as if he knows the recipients first hand, Paul continually asks God to bless them. It is worthwhile to consider why and how Paul prays for believers. 


In the verse 15, he begins with the clause "For this reason" and describes his prayer. Why do we prayer? Refer back to the doxology of Ephesians, we pray because the world as we know it is not the manifested plan of God. Paul prays for the Church because God is redeeming the world through Jesus and His Church. We should pray for people not because we love them, but because God loves them and people are God's plan. Paul continues to note that he is praying specifically that the Holy Spirit flood their hearts with understanding so that they may know God more, so that God's plan may come to fruition. I love people and I pray for people often, but this passage makes me stop and consider why and how I pray for them. Am I praying for what I think they need or am I praying that God's will and plan will flood their lives?


Praying for  "Eyes of understanding" is a radically bold prayer. This is rabbinical reference to favor of God on an individuals life giving them the authority of God. Few people would be considered to have this blessing, and the Gentiles to whom Paul is writing definitely would not be among them. Yet Paul reassures them that they can know God and they can partner with God in His redemption plan. Awesome truth! 


More specifically, Paul prays that the Holy Spirit would specifically help believers understand three things: 1) "the hope of their calling" - who they are as God's children. 2) "the riches of his glorious inheritance"- the greatest of God's plan manifested when God inherits the people He created for Himself.  The original language here indicates that Paul is praying that they understand the richness of the King's personal inheritance - the Church- as opposed to the riches of a kingdom. Paul is praying that the believers understand why God wants a people for Himself, the pleasure that it gives Him. 3)"incomparably great power for us who believe", more specifically the fact that the power that rose Christ from the dead is the same power God gives to those who believe. The power aspect is so important that Paul elaborates in the next several versus that Christ has power over ever situation and in every circumstance whether earthly or spiritual.


Can you imagine what this passage would have meant to the people reading it? Here Paul is praying that the Gentiles realize that they are God's people and that was His plan from the beginning... that they understand how awesome this plan is and how much God is blessed by inheriting His people... and that they power that God has is bestowed to them because the Church has the fullness of Christ. For Ephesus, a city ran by political, economic, and spiritual power... this assertion is radical. What it mean for us to understand these three points in our own society? 


What if we understood that Jesus had power over image and politics and addictions and poverty and war and mundane tasks in daily life? What if we truly believed that the power that rose Christ from the dead lived in us and worked through us to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth and glorify God? What if the Holy Spirit enlightened our hearts more? What would that Church look like?


The NIV Application commentary suggests that a church that understands these points grows in six areas. 1) They grow in their compassion for their community and for the world. 2) They increase in prayer. 3) They develop a deeper understanding of their finite perspective of time in God's infinite plan. 4) They strive to think more and understand more. 5) They become increasingly confident in who they are in God and God's plan for the world. 6) They trust in the power of Christ and that power is revealed in their daily lives, bringing glory to God and showing others how powerful He is. I agree with these observations and pray that the Spirit will continue enlighten my heart in these areas. 


Overall, I pray that every believer- whether I know them or not- and those yet to believe will know God in a deeper way, understanding the "the fullness of him who fills everything in every way"

I normally don't go into small group feeling unprepared. Today I did. Not because I didn't pray about our meeting or because I didn't study the material. I felt unprepared because I knew there were questions that would be left unanswered, and that the study would be more mind boggling than a sigh of relief.

Ephesians 1:3-15 is a difficult scripture for me personally, and I knew that it would be a difficult scripture to discuss. Why? Because it says sooo much in so few lines, and leaves many things up to interpretation. Studying it does not satisfy questions with answers as much as it generates fifty more questions.

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace ⁸that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

 ¹¹In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹²in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

After reading six commentaries and praying through how to approach this, I identified several themes. 1) God's plan A has always been the Church.  2)This aspect of God's will baffles me because the Church and the world are extremely flawed. 3) This scripture says we have every spiritual blessing, all wisdom, all understanding, and all authority as sons/heirs to partner with God in His plan. I struggle to believe this truth because I don't see it manifested in daily life. 4) This scripture frustrates me because don't understand it as well as I would like, but then I realize that I don't understand because God is in control and I am not God. 5) The notion of God's sovereignty has made this passage controversial for years. The theologians that argue over the meaning of predestination have yet to come to satisfactory conclusion, and I am in no position to claim that I have.  I am both challenged and relieved by this fact. 6) The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are intricately working together to bring God's redemption plan into action. The Father designed the plan, the Son showed us how it should work and made it possible for us to take our intended roles, and the Spirit seals us as disciples who becoming more like Christ and participating in God's plan. 7) In the complexity of this passage,  I find freedom and encouragement because I remember who I am and who God is. 

As small group began, my predictions were accurate. The questions were abundant. What does everything mean? What does blessing mean? What does that include? How do we have every blessing and all wisdom? Does that mean individually or for the Church or both? What is God's will in this? What exactly does predetermined mean? Why do the Bible translators take the freedom to insert their opinions into the interpretation of this passage?  What does it mean that the Holy Spirit is our seal? And so on and so forth.

This past Saturday, I lead a workshop on evangelism (expect a blog about that soon), and one of my tips from experience was "accept the freedom of "I don't know"". My point was speak to what you can, and don't be afraid to admit that you don't have all the answers. Last night, I found myself taking my own advice: offering the information that I could and leaving other information up to interpretation.   In my next blog post, I'll share what I have taken away from these fourteen verses, and highlight my thoughts on the segments emboldened above. 

This post, however, is dedicated to the relearning of the humble lesson: "I don't know everything.... God is God, and I am not... all I know is that He has a plan, He loves me enough to allow me to partake in His plan, that plan is greater than I can even imagine, and I want to be a part of it so I need the Holy Spirit to be actively working in my life- empowering me with blessing, reminding me of truth, convicting me to actively participating in the redemption of the world, and bringing glory to God's name. 

If you didn't already know this, I am a complete and total geek. I love the historical context of scripture, and will spend way too much time trying to discover more about the settings of the time. Thankfully for you, my inner nerd produces short(er) summaries of all the information I learn so that others can benefit from my randomly acquired knowledge. And so, I give you a summary of my search to understand Ephesus.

Ephesus was a large city in Asia Minor, aka Turkey. As a major trade point with access to multiple bodies of water and an intricate road system, Ephesus was one of the economical centers of its time. It was also known for its worship of Diana or Artemis. This pagan goddess known in both Roman and Greek mythology was believed to be a great hunter, the goddess of fertility, and the protector of the poor. Ephesus was a city devoted to her, so much so that they spent over 200 years building a temple to her that later became one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Paul spent time ministering at the church of Ephesus during his third missionary journey around 57 A.D. At the end of his time there, an unruly mob of craftsmen began to riot because Christianity was beginning to destroy their business (Acts 19). The silversmith Demetrius and his colleagues made their profits constructing idols of Artemis, and Christianity threatened that by declaring that there was only one true God. The Christian way of life was so well known and radical that it became known as the "Way". And, the Way was threatening the status quo in Ephesus.

The imagery of the riot in Acts 19 amazes me. It says that the disciples begged Paul not to venture into the theater because of the mob. The theater was a massive amphitheater that held over 25,000 people. Scripture says that there was a mass crowd in chaos- some were angry, many confused, and quite a few people didn't even know why they were rioting. I am trying to imagine what kind of crowd Paul and the other believers faced as they served Jesus by witnessing in public places like the theater.

In my study of Ephesus, I came across this preview of Mark Driscoll's Ephesians project. It talks a little more about life in Ephesus and is really interesting- especially the portions of economics, freed slaves, and community. If you have a few minutes, check it out. I would recommend fast forwarding the video to 2:40 and playing it from there.



Awesome, huh? Can you imagine the Christian couch surfing of the time? "Hey, you have a Jesus fish wheel symbol thing on your door, can I crash here?' Don't I wish traveling were the same way today; though, I prefer airplanes and cars to camels and foot.

Back to the book of Ephesians. Ephesians was penned somewhere around 62-65 A.D. while Paul was in prison in Rome. There is some debate as to whether Paul wrote the epistle and who the epistle was written to, but the evidence and opinion I have found leads me to believe that Paul is the author and the churches at Ephesus were the original recipients. Though, this epistle was meant to be a circular letter, passed from church to church.

Ephesians is unique in that it doesn't contain the personal rebuke or correction of many of the other epistles. It is written to those who love God regardless of their location and background. Ephesians is a beautiful declaration of doctrine explaining how Christ relates to His church and the duty of the Church to respond to their relationship with Christ. My prayer is that this study of Ephesians will challenge each of the girls in my group to understand who God has created them to be as individuals and a community and to act with a remainder of their first Love Jesus. I'm excited to see what God does as we dive into His word and learn more about the early Church.

My small group this semester is studying Ephesians, and I am going to attempt to track what I am learning from the study here. Why study Ephesians? Well, to be honest, I am studying Ephesians because I was intrigued by the book of Revelation. When reading Revelation, the letter to the church of Ephesus really struck me.

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: ²I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ³You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.⁴Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. ⁵Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. ⁶But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ⁷He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:1-7 details how the church is affirmed for their hard work and perseverance.  They hate those who falsely claim to know God and the Nicolaitans who were trying to control the laity. They have endured suffering for the faith and have not grown weary. Sounds like a solid church, right? They have great doctrine and are known for their deeds.  Sign me up to work with them.

But wait a moment, the church is reprimanded for forgetting their first love and not being as good as they once were. They have fallen greatly from their passion at the height of their devotion to God. Apparently the church had forgotten the Agape love of Christ and in turn forgot to love Him and His Church with the same passion that they once did. I don't know about you, but I can relate to their position.

Some times even in the midst of having sound doctrine and doing good deeds, I forget my first love. I forget who God is and in turn forget how I should be responding to Him.  The church is reminded of how far they have fallen and called to repent. This letter struck my curiosity. How far did they fall? What was the church like at the height of their faith and service? And, what can we learn from the church at Ephesus to prevent us from forgetting our first love?

The best answer to my questioning is the Bible. Paul wrote an circular epistle to the Ephesians that detailed both the doctrine and duty of the Christian community. Unlike other Pauline letters, the letter to the Ephesians does not offer any personal rebuke or correction which proves to be an interesting fact when you consider how harsh Paul was in his writings to other churches. Furthermore, this letter was entrusted to the Ephesians to be passed from church to church to instruct the faithful and encourage believers to serve God to the fullest.

I am so excited to learn more about the early Church through this letter to the Ephesians. My next post regarding this topic will detail some of the background information of the church in Ephesus. In the meanwhile and always, my prayer is that God will continue to remind me of how far I have personally fallen and restore to me my first love: Jesus.