15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  Ephesians 1:15-20

A. The consuming passion of the Apostle Paul: Philippians 3:10

B. The spiritual prayer life of the Apostle Paul

PRAYER PRINCIPLES MODELED BY PAUL

− Intercessory (others focused)

− Gospel-birthed (new birth)

− Trinitarian (relationship)

− Familial (relationship)

− Spiritually oriented (petitions)

− Holy Spirit dependent (aided)

1. The recipients of Paul’s prayer: Ephesians 1:15, 1:1

2. The characteristics of Paul’s prayer: Ephesians 1:16

a) Intercessory 1 Corinthians 14:15

b) With thanksgiving Luke 22:17; John 6:11; John 11:41

c) Without partiality Luke 20:21; James 2:1

3. The Person addressed in Paul’s prayer: Ephesians 1:17a

a) God of our Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:15; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Corinthians 1:20

b) Father of Glory

Exodus 33:18-23; Acts 7:2; John 17:5; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:30, Colossians 1:27

4. The enabling spiritual petition in Paul’s prayer

5. The practical spiritual petitions in Paul’s prayer

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ Revelation 2:1-7

A. The Head of the church in Ephesus: Rev 2:1 2a

1. The Head of the church and His leaders: Rev. 2:1a

2. The head of the church and His people: Rev. 2:1b

3. The head of the church and His awareness: Rev . 2:2a

B. His commendation to the church at Ephesus: Rev . 2:2 3, 6

C. His condemnation of the church at Ephesus Rev. 2:4

1. What is abandonment (forsaking) of first love?

a) Backslider defined

b) Old Testament examples: Jeremiah 2:1 8; Ezekiel 16:8 15; Hosea 1:2 3

2. Signs of backsliding

3. What are the causes of abandonment of first love? Revelation 2:4

a) Spiritual neglect Proverbs 24:30 32

b) Desensitized toward sin: Matthew 24:12

c) Worldliness: 1 John 2:15 17; 2 Tim. 4:9 11 , 3:1 5

9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.  1 Timothy 5:9-16

Central Idea: As the family of God, we must exercise wisdom and discernment in how we care for the elderly, young, and needy in the congregation.

I. Wisdom in Caring for the Elderly (vv. 9-10)

II. Wisdom in Caring for the Younger (vv. 11-15)

III. Wisdom in Caring for the Needy (v. 16)

1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;

3

13 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. 2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. 5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, 6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, 7 and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. 8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord. 14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.  Genesis 13

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  Ephesians 1:15-20

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21

A. The consuming passion of the Apostle Paul: Philippians 3:10

PRAYER PRINCIPLES MODELED BY PAUL

1. Intercessory (others focused)

Eph. 1:16; Rom. 1:9-10; 2 Cor. 1:11; Phil. 1:2-4; Col. 1:3;1 T hess. 1:2; 2 Tim 1:3; Philemon 4; John 17:9, 20

2. Gospel-birthed (new birth)

Eph. 1:15; Eph. 3:14

3. Trinitarian (relationship)

Eph. 1:17; Eph. 3:14-17; Rom. 8:15-17

4. Familial (relationship)

Eph. 1:16-17; Eph. 3:14; Matt. 6:9; Matt. 26:38-39; John 17:1

5. Spiritually oriented (petitions)

Eph. 1:15-20; Eph. 3:14-19

6. Holy Spirit dependent (aided)

Eph. 1:15-17; Eph. 3:14-16

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’  Revelation 2:1-7

A. The Head of the church in Ephesus: Rev 2:1-2a

1. The Head of the church and His leaders : Rev. 2:1a

B. His commendation to the church at Ephesus: Rev . 2:2 3, 6

Tonight:

C. His condemnation of the church at Ephesus Rev. 2:4

1. What is abandonment (forsaking) of first love?

a) Backslider defined

b) Old Testament examples

Jeremiah 2:1-8; Ezekiel 16:8 -15; Hosea 1:2-3

2. Signs of backsliding

3. What are the causes of abandonment of first love?: Revelation 2:4

a) Spiritual neglect: Proverbs 24:30-32

b) Desensitized toward sin: Matthew 24:12

c) Worldliness: 1 John 2:15 -17; 2 Tim. 4:9 -11 , 3:1-5

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.  1 Timothy 5:1-8

Central Idea: Because family matters to God, how we relate to both our spiritual and physical families should reflect His heart and display our Christian witness.

I. Treat the Church as Family (vv. 1-2)

II. Honor the Vulnerable (vv. 3-5)

III. Heed the Warnings (vv. 6-8)

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’  Revelation 2:1-7

A. The Head of the church in Ephesus: Rev 2:1 2a

1. The Head of the church and His leaders: Rev. 2:1a

a) Christ maintains headship authority in His church: Ephesians 1:22 23; Ephesians 4:15 16

b) Christ protects His church s ministers: Psalm 18:35; Psalm 20:6; Psalm 63:8

c) Christ favors His ministers: Jeremiah 1:4 5; Romans 1:1

2. The head of the church and His people: Rev. 2:1b

a) Christ in present in His church: Revelation 1:13; Matthew 28:19 20

b) Christ is active in His church: Revelation 1:14

3. The head of the church and His awareness: Revelation 2:2a

a) Omniscience of Christ: Revelation 1:8, 17 18

b) Observation by Christ: Revelation 1:16

B. His commendation to the church at Ephesus: Revelation 2:2 3, 6

1. He commends their works: Ephesians 2:8 10

2. He commends their toil: Acts 20:28 35

3. He commends their patience: Ephesians 4:1 3

4. He commends their discernment: Ephesians 4:11 14

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:8-14

A. The consuming passion of the Apostle Paul

1. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ: Philippians 3:8

2. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ experienced: Matthew 13:45-46

3. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ pursued

4. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ: The goals or pursuits

a. A righteousness not of his own: Job 25:4-6; Phil. 3:8-9; Rom. 3:21-26; 1 Cor. 1:30

b. Power of Christ’s resurrection: Phil. 3:10; Rom. 6:1-12; John 15:5

c. Fellowship in Christ’s suffering conforming to His death: Phil. 3:10; Rom. 8:16-17; Phil. 1:29; 1 Peter 4:1-2, 12-13

– A sharing together in the sufferings for Christ

• The offense of the cross: Gal. 5:11; 1 Cor. 1:22-23

• The persecution for the Gospel: 2 Thess. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:11-12; 2 Tim. 3:12

• The toil for His church: Eph. 3:13; Col. 1:24

– A sharing together in the sufferings for Christ’s church: Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Tim. 3:14-15; Luke 9:23

• The daily life of self-denial: Phil. 2:3

• The daily life of death to self: Gal. 2:20

• The daily life of exhausting toil: John 13:34-35; 1 Cor. 15:58