Have you ever been a member of a group or club that after a time just sort of fizzled out? Members gradually went their own way. Perhaps original goals and purposes were forgotten or replaced. Interest faded.

On the apostle Paul’s second missionary trip to Ephesus, he actually stayed for two years, teaching daily.

• Paul taught about baptism in the name of Jesus and followers were baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.
• He led discussions about the kingdom of God and many Jews and Greeks believed, confessing their sins and repenting of evil deeds.
• Believers reached out to the sick and demon-possessed and God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.
• At one point, the believers were “all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor” (Acts 19:17).

So, did this powerfully dynamic church thrive? Is it still alive and well today?

About 40 years after Paul’s trip, the book of Revelation contains a letter to the church in Ephesus. While they were commended for their hard work and perseverance during the time of persecution, they were also admonished. “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love” (Revelation 2:4). They were instructed, “Repent and do the things you did at first” (Rev. 2:5b).

Would we in today’s church receive a similar reprimand?

• Have we forsaken our love for the Lord and His people?
• Have we been baptized and filled with His Spirit?
• Are we teaching and receiving truth and passing it on to the next generations?
• Are we living out God’s Word in obedience and honoring His name?
• Are we reaching out and praying for those in need?

When Jesus returns, may our local churches be open, growing, and thriving! And may we be doing our part to help that happen.