Sardis:
The Dying Church/Rev. 3:1-6 (ESV)
"And to the angel of the church in Sardis
write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of
God and the seven stars.
" 'I know your works. You
have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. [2] Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die,
for I have not found your works complete in the sight of
my God. [3]
Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it,
and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a
thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come
against you. [4]
Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who
have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with
me in white, for they are worthy.
[5] The one who conquers will be clothed thus in
white garments, and I will never blot his name out of
the book of life. I will confess his name before my
Father and before his angels.
[6] He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches.'
1. Christ’s Commission
(1a)
Jesus
reminds the elder and the church that He is the one who
possesses the fullness of the Spirit, something they
were greatly lacking.
Jesus
is also the one who holds the seven starts or the seven
ministers of these seven churches in Revelation.
He is in complete control and holds them
accountable for their lack of faithfulness
(Rev.
1:20).
2. Christ’s Commendation
None
given
3. Christ’s Condemnation (1b)
This
church was probably very busy.
They may have found fulfillment in Sunday School
Programs, helping the poor, engaging in different
causes. Jesus
says, You have the reputation of being
alive, but you are dead.
Everything
about them pointed to life except one thing…their
hearts were dead. The
Holy Spirit wasn’t a part of their ministry endeavors.
The machine kept running powered by human effort
instead of being powered by the Holy Spirit.
It’s
important that we at Bigelow understand the ministry of
the Holy Spirit lest we fall into this same sin.
Ministry
of the Spirit-
Gives Life- Romans 8:9
Leads Believers- Romans 8:14
Produces Spiritual Fruit- Galatians 5:22-25
They
were living in a fantasy world…they couldn’t see the
truth. They
thought they were alive but in reality, they were dead.
Jesus had to enter into the equation if things
were going to ever turn around.
4. Christ’s Confrontation
(2-3)
The
reason Christ is interested in church reform and the
reason we must be engaged in reforming the local church
is that all churches that call themselves Christian are
representing Christ to their community.
Another
reason to be interested in church reform is that even a
new church will have to deal with its own struggles and
eventually it will be in the same boat as the mother
church.
Jesus
offers a five step plan to reform the church.
Step One- Wake
up!
Step Two- strengthen
what remains and is about to die!
Step Three- [3]
Remember, then, what you received and heard.
Step Four- Keep it!
Step Five- repent!
5. Christ’s Encouragement
(4-6)
The
good news about these people of this church was that
there were a small minority, a remnant of faithful
followers of Christ that remained.
people who have not soiled their
garments- Jesus is not implying that there were
some believers who were sinless (1 John 1:8).
These
precious saints were dressed in white not because they
had worked to earn salvation but because they were
depending on Christ for righteousness.
The blood of Christ had cleansed them from their
sin (Isaiah 1:18).
These
folks were genuine.
They had more than simply a religious reputation.
They were the real thing.
Jesus had given this group His seal of approval.
6- A Lesson to Learn from Sardis
If
there is one thing that will destroy a church it is when
people within it stop listening and obeying the Holy
Spirit. We
must listen carefully and submit to the Spirit’s
guidance.
-Obey
the Spirit quickly
-Regularly
remind yourself about the danger of complacency
-Look
to Scripture for answers
- When
you find areas in your life of Spiritual deadness, go
back to the basics by focusing on the gospel of Christ.
-
Remember that Christ offers grace and mercy
- When
in doubt run to Jesus for safety, peace, love, eternal
life.
