Orthodoxy to Orthopraxy | Pastor Chris Searcy | 10am

Orthodoxy to Orthopraxy

The primary issue of the Church of Ephesus

AD 60-62

Hebrews 2:13-14

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the

blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and

has destroyed the barrier… the dividing wall of hostility, 

Revelation 2 AD 95-96

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the

seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 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. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my

name, and have not grown weary.

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 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 lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your

favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears,

let them hear what 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.

orthodoxy: accepted theory, doctrine, or practice

orthopraxy: correct conduct

Things they did right:

1. Testing False Apostles

Revelation 2:2: "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you

cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves

apostles and are not, and found them to be false."

Explanation: While this is a commendation, it also highlights an issue they faced with

false teachers and the need for vigilance against heresy. They were diligent in

identifying and rejecting false apostles, which was a significant challenge.

2. Enduring Hardships

Revelation 2:3: "I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake,

and you have not grown weary."

Explanation: They faced hardships and persecution for their faith, yet they persevered.

The challenge was to maintain their love and zeal amidst these trials.

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3. Dealing with Nicolaitan Practices

Revelation 2:6: "Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also

hate."

Explanation: The Nicolaitans were a heretical group whose practices were detestable.

The Ephesian church rightly rejected their works, but it also indicates the presence of

such harmful influences that they had to contend with.

Things they did wrong

1. Abandonment of First Love

Revelation 2:4: "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had

at first."

Explanation: They lost their initial zeal and passion for Christ. Their love for Him and

for others had grown cold. They became mechanical in their practices.

Mechanical Worship: their worship became mechanical, lacking the heartfelt devotion

they initially had.

Internal Spiritual Decline: Despite their external deeds and perseverance, their

internal spiritual life was in decline

2. Need for Repentance

Revelation 2:5: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the

works you did at first."

Explanation: The call to repentance indicates that their spiritual state had declined, and

they needed to return to their previous ways of living out their faith with fervor and

sincerity.

They maintained correct beliefs (orthodoxy) but struggled with living out those beliefs

in love and action (orthopraxy).

Here are ways that we together can allow our orthodoxy to become orthopraxy

Engage in Works Motivated by Love:

Ephesians 2:10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good

works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in

them.”

Guard Against Spiritual Complacency and compromise:

Ephesians 5:14-16: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will

shine on you. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

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Ephesians 5:3-4: "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must

not even be named among you... Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor

crude joking."

Hold Fast to Doctrinal Purity:

Ephesians 4:14-15: "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by

the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine... speaking the truth in

love."

Cultivate a Heart of Worship and Thanksgiving:

Ephesians 5:19-20: "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual

songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks

always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus

Christ."

Ephesians 5:15-21 (ESV)

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and

making melody to the Lord with your heart,

20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.