Revelation chapter 2 and I will read verses 1 through 7.

To the angel of the church in Ephesus, right?

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among

the seven golden lamp stands.

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.

I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be

apostles but are not and have found them false.

You have persevered and endured hardships for my name and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you.

You have forsaken the love you had at first.

Consider how far you have fallen.

Repent and do the things you did at first.

If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.

But you have this in your favor.

You hate the practices of the Nicolations, which I also hate.

Whoever has ears, let them hear with the spirit says to the churches, to the one who is

victorious I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise

of God.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Good morning.

It is an absolute joy to be here.

So I want to start by saying thank you for inviting us to come and be part of this weekend.

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