Bible Study Notes by Pastor Shana Wise
Revelation 2:1-7
The Loveless Church
“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.”’
· Have you ever been in love? Or do you remember your first love? How did you feel and what are some things you did for that other person? Have you ever fell out of love? What were some factors that contributed when you fell out of love?
· When it comes to the church of the Living God, what is your first love? Mines is Jesus Christ the risen Savior.
· How did you feel when you first received Christ as your Lord and Savior? For me, it was the best decision I ever made in my life. It was freeing, liberating, and a new life for me. I remember how thirsty I was to get in my word and learn more about God. I wanted everyone to experience the new life I found in him.
· The church was the first order of business that Jesus addressed in the book of Revelation. Why do you think he chose to address the church first in the last book of the bible? I believe it is because we are the ones who represent Him on earth. He wants His representation to reflect who he is and the Kingdom of God.
· The church of Ephesus was the first church He addressed, and the problem He had against them was their love walk in him. I believe that Jesus addressed this church first because love is the foundation of the church. God is love.
· We can do all “the works” in the church, but if we are doing them without love being our reason behind it, then the works become ineffective.
· I also believe that all the other churches that received the rebuke from Christ could have been avoided if they a would have stayed true to their first love.
· We know that the ultimate demonstration of love was Christ laying down his life for us (John 3:16). God expects us to demonstrate our love for Him and mankind in our everyday lives.
· 1 Corinthians 13, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
· I believe 1 Cor. 13 is a great scripture when it comes to checking our love walk with Christ. What are some examples of how we can stray away from our first love all while being a regular church member or a believer in Christ?
· We are the church. Let us move forward in love! Love the ones who are not the most loveable. Love when it hurts. Love through the pain. Let our love reflect the love of Christ. The world is looking for this love that has been given to all of us. Let our love walk inspire others to connect with Jesus Christ!
W.C.M. Interactive Online Bible Study
W.C.M Interactive Facebook group page served as a biblical-based online tool to aid in your spiritual growth. Under the leadership of Dr. Shana Wise and Deacon Ron Wise, the community can enjoy interactive bible study, sermons, lessons, encouraging posts, and much more! Submit prayer requests, testimonies, words of encouragement, and more!
Join our group page to watch and interact with our bible study on Thursdays at 7 PM EST at https://www.facebook.com/groups/723507005051862.
Not, on Facebook? Watch all ministry-related videos on our YouTube channel Wise Choice Ministries at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnpsMBzXZDaFgyct7_XvvYA.
About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor and CEO of Wise Choice Ministries (est. 2016). She is the founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network formally known as Christian Women Preachers United. Dr. Wise is the author of women’s devotional, Acts of Intercession, and The Impact of Your Election (available on Amazon). She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist that appears on social media outlets and television. Shana is married to Ron Wise and is the mother of four children.
Books available on Amazon at:
Acts of Intercession
The Impact of Your Election
LIKE Facebook page www.facebook.com/mrsshanawise
Follow on Instagram at www.instagram.com/wise1too
We are the church. Let us move forward in love! Love the ones who are not the most loveable. Love when it hurts. Love through the pain. Let our love reflect the love of Christ. The world is looking for this love that has been given to all of us. Let our love walk inspire others to connect with Jesus Christ!
We are the church. Let us move forward in love! Love the ones who are not the most loveable. Love when it hurts. Love through the pain. Let our love reflect the love of Christ. The world is looking for this love that has been given to all of us. Let our love walk inspire others to connect with Jesus Christ!
Comentários