Commendations to the Chruches

In the opening chapters of Revelation, Jesus addresses 7 churches in Asia. The significance of His taking specific notice of these congregations is two-fold: encouraging us that He knows and notices His church; but warning that He holds His people responsible for how we treat the church He purchased with His blood.

With this in mind, let us look at what Jesus commended in these churches. Our goal in this undertaking will be to understand what the Lord expects and approves of in His people. Further we should evaluate ourselves in light of His encouragement and ask, ""Would He say such good things of us?""

Weed out false teachers

Jesus commends the church at Ephesus (2:2) for not tolerating false teachers in their midst. Even in the early days of the Gospel, while apostles were still alive, false teachers were numerous and very dangerous. Note Paul's warning to the Ephesian elders on his way back to Jerusalem (Acts 20:29-30). Ephesus had apparently heeded Paul's warning and had kept themselves free from false teachers.

False teaching is just as big a problem today as it was for the early church. Countless denominations speckle the religious landscape, all claiming to worship God. Many have nullified the power of true salvation for a watered-down ""Faith only"" Gospel. (James 2:14-26) Much of the world has exchanged the glory of God for vain theories of men such as macro-evolution and the ""Big Bang."" (Romans 1:20-22)

The church at Ephesus did not tolerate false doctrines or false teachers. We must continue to stand for truth today. When doctrine is taught we must examine it in light of what the Word of God plainly teaches (Acts 17:11). When error is discovered we must be ready to reprove and rebuke those who preach lies (2 Tim 4:2)

Don't be discouraged by a lack of physical prosperity

Jesus tells the church at Smyrna that they are ""rich"" even though materially they are in poverty (2:9). God's people should not become discouraged if they do not seem successful in this world.

Note Haggai's exhortation to the Jews recently returned from captivity. (Haggai 2:3-9) The Jews were disappointed because the temple they had rebuilt was but a shell of the one Solomon had built. God told them He would still glorify his temple.

In the same way we need to focus on being rich spiritually and trust that God will glorify His church. Massive edifices and ornate buildings impress men. Righteous obedience and sincere worship impress our Heavenly Father.

Make your last works better than your first

The Lord praises the church at Thyatira for their ""deeds of late are greater than at first"" (2:19), in stark contrast to the rebuke of the church at Ephesus. (2:4-5) It is the responsibility of the church not merely to resist evil, but to do good.

The Ephesians stood against error, but had slipped from the fervent love they had first known. The church of God must be active and alive. It has been said that ""familiarity breeds contempt."" Congregations can suffer from this disease. What do the following things mean to you? The Lords Supper? A time for reflecting on the immeasurable love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, or a time for writing your check for the contribution? Singing Hymns? A time for encouragement, edification, and praise, or a time to mindlessly recite words to hymns? Listening to the preaching of the Word of God? A time for edification, conviction of sin, and instruction that will help spread the Gospel, or a time to think about where you're going to lunch after services? In the instant we are first convicted of sin we understand what the Lord saved us from and love Him as intensely as our hearts know how. We must fight to maintain that understanding.

Conclusion:

Persist in doing good, don't give up (2:7,10,17,26; 3:5,12,21). If you could only take one lesson from the Lord's encouragement, it would be don't give up, for He promises eternal life to those ""who overcome."" God's churches need to understand that doing right is often not easy, but the reward for obedience cannot be appraised by human minds.