Removing Thy Candlestick

Revelation 2:1-7

INTRODUCTION: There is no doubt that God loves the church and the saint. However, God’s love does not lessen His expectations from the saint, nor does it minimize the saint’s accountability toward God. Failure to meet God’s expectations yields consequences, at times extreme.

I. A CHURCH WITH SOUND BEHAVIOUR (Revelation 2:2-3, 6)

A. Sound in Deeds (Revelation 2:2, 6)

1. Their works (Revelation 2:2)
2. Their labour (Revelation 2:2)
3. Their hatred for evil (Revelation 2:2, 6)
4. Their trying of false apostles (Revelation 2:2)

B. Sound in Virtue (Revelation 2:3)

1. Their patience
2. Their pure motives
3. Their endurance

II. A CHURCH WARNED OF GOD (Revelation 2:5)

A. Their Responsibilities

1. Remember from when thou art fallen.
2. Repent.
3. Do the first works.

B. God’s Warning

1. I will come quickly.
2. I will remove thy candlestick out of his place. Note: The candlestick most likely represented the church itself, but would also include their light and their influence.

III. A CHURCH WITH ONE WEAKNESS (Revelation 2:4)

A. The Limitation of God’s Frustration

1. Nevertheless
2. I have somewhat against thee

B. The Cause of God’s Frustration

1. Thou hast left
2. Thy first love

CONCLUSION: Though this passage was directly addressed to a church, in these last days God often works with the individual believer (Revelation 3:20). One thing has not changed and that is God’s expectation. The question is, has your candlestick been removed? If so, why?