基督同時又指出，祂知道他們如何為祂受苦。無論是古往今來，信徒總是要為到效忠於主而付上代價，信徒總是要為到信仰的緣故而遭受別人的攻擊。祂亦知道他們如何謹守真理。請讀使徒行傳十九章19節，看看以弗所的信徒如何在決志之後，便決心將他們舊日相信的行邪術之書焚毀。他們知道這些書籍只會將錯謬帶進教會。這些信徒都親自驗證所聽的道是真理。

但基督繼而指出，以弗所教會如今的境況卻叫人失望，因為信徒已丟棄或失卻了昔日的愛心。每個信徒都有可能陷入這個危機。我們有沒有丟掉當初愛主的心呢？我們是否一如既往地願意遵行祂的心意，和熱心事主呢？我們面對的最大危機，不是離棄神的真道，而是對敬拜和事奉變得冷淡和麻木。這正是以弗所教會的問題。

他們為何會變成這個樣子呢？因為教會忽略了傳福音的工作，再沒有熱切關心失喪的靈魂。基督對他們說：「要重拾起初的熱心，行起初所行的事；為我作見證；讓別人看見你是如何愛我。否則我將要從你們中間挪回我的祝福。」

這是非常嚴厲的警告，對嗎？它對我們是否有所提醒呢？

Day 17

THE CHURCH THAT NEEDED REVIVAL

Revelation 2:1-7

1“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

Message

The first three chapters of Revelation present Christ as Lord of the Church. Here are Christ's words spoken from the throne. He speaks to seven local churches in particular, but there is a wider application which comes to us today.

The condition of each church is lovingly described. The eye of Christ looks beyond what everyone else sees and he speaks to each church as he sees its need.

The Lord says 'I know'. He says it to all the churches. It is a wonderful, yet solemn truth. He knows the devoted service of his children in his Church. There seems to have been some very faithful servants of Christ in the Ephesian church.

Christ said he knew about their suffering too. It costs to stand faithfully for Christ. There are always those who will turn against you. He also knew about the way in which they had stood for the truth. Read Acts 19:19 again and see how this church began so wonderfully in burning the magic books they used for worship. They saw through those who tried to bring any error into the church. These men tested what others said by the Word of God.

But having said all this, Christ said that the church had been a disappointment because It had left or lost its first love. That danger comes to all of us. Are we as much In love with Christ today as when we first came to him? Are we as eager to do his will and his work as we once were? Our greatest danger is not that we might stray away from the truth of God's Word, but that we might become cold and dead in our worship and service. That is what had happened to the church at Ephesus.

Why had this happened? Because the church had neglected its outreach to those who were lost. Christ said, 'Go back to the beginning and do the things you used to do then. Be a witness. Be on fire. Let others see your love for me. Or else I will have to remove my blessing from your church.'

Those are strong words, aren't they? Do they have anything to say to us today?

返回天天天言

第17天

需要復興的教會

粵語

國語

英語

啟示錄二章1至7節

1你要寫信給以弗所教會的使者，說：那右手拿著七星、在七個金燈臺中間行走的，說：

2我知道你的行為、勞碌、忍耐，也知道你不能容忍惡人。你也曾試驗那自稱為使徒卻不是使徒的，看出他們是假的來。

3你也能忍耐，曾為我的名勞苦，並不乏倦。

4然而有一件事我要責備你，就是你把起初的愛心離棄了。

5所以，應當回想你是從那裡墜落的，並要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就臨到你那裡，把你的燈臺從原處挪去。

6然而你還有一件可取的事，就是你恨惡尼哥拉一黨人的行為，這也是我所恨惡的。

7聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！得勝的，我必將神樂園中生命樹的果子賜給他吃。

信息分享

基督對每間教會發出的信息，都明確描繪出該間教會的境況。基督的眼目不單看見每間教會的表面情況，更看到它們的獨特需要。