Sermons

There are Two Paths...We must Choose One

by Brent Young

The Bible's Definitions

by Aaron Alsbrook

Discouraged

In Revelation 2:4 Jesus says to the church in Ephesus, "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." The Lord's church in any city or community is made up of individual members. Each member of that congregation can be discouraged at the same time. For example, the loss of a prominent member or the governing authorities making a law that is against the benefit of mankind, you can think of an example as well. These discouragements can be with the individual. That individual can share the discouragement with others, then those individuals can also become discouraged. In like manner, an individual can share a discouragement, other members can rally around them, pray for them, and help them to understand how good God is.

Paul had a long history with the Christians in Ephesus. He also had a long history with persecuting God and His people, as well as being persecuted for the cause of Christ (Acts 26:14, 2 Corinthians 11:24-28). He was arrested for bringing a Gentile from Ephesus into the temple (Acts 21:27-29). With all of the difficulties he faced he kept loving Jesus and His people. It made such an impact on the souls in Ephesus, they also wanted to become followers of Jesus.  These Ephesians had given up on their "magic arts" and burned the books in front of others in the community (Acts 19:19). This could be the reason Paul writes to them about the mystery of God's will being made known to man (Ephesians 1:7-11). If the Ephesians had given up their livelihoods in magic, which they knew was not real, to a lifestyle that was provable and transparent, then it would encourage others to do the same.

Knowing the truth, and understanding Christians were being persecuted, the church in Ephesus had a choice to make. Continue to love the truth more than all else or reason with people without the love of God. Paul encourages them to, "speak the truth in love, to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). He teaches them what their families should look like in the public square in chapter 5 and 6. The church in Ephesus was taught the truth and was obedient to the truth.  However, when discouragement set in, Jesus reminded them of who they used to be. They had the love of Jesus but became weary, and so He rebuked them. Let us all conquer our discouragement together by remember our first love for our Lord and Savior Jesus.

                                                                -asa