THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA #5

Rev. 3:1-6 - Sardis (The Living-Dead Church)

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. A study of the letters to the seven churches of Asia will show 
      our relation to Christ as a New Testament church.
      1. Learning and making applications from these epistles can
         help us to be what we want to be - a faithful congregation  
         of the Lord.
   B. No only do these short epistles help us congregationally, but  
      they strengthen and encourage us as individuals.
      1. We can especially see this as we study this letter to the
         church at Sardis.

I. DESIGNATION.
   A. In this letter Jesus introduces Himself as He who has:
      1. The seven Spirits of God.
         a. This perhaps means that there are literally seven Spirits
            before the throne of God.  Rev. 1:4
         b. Or, since the number "seven" often represents fullness
            and completeness, it perhaps means that Christ
            possesses the fullness of the Spirit--without measure. 
            John 3:34
      2. The seven stars - the angels of the seven churches.  Rev.
         1:20
         a. Rev. 2:1 speaks of Jesus as, "He who holds the seven
            stars in His right hand."
         b. Probably the angels are the life, spirit or identity of  
            the churches.

II. CONDEMNATION.  The Lord reverses His order and gives the
    condemnation before the commendation.
   A. Jesus said, "You have a name that you are alive."
      1. Thus, the church at Sardis was "alive" by reputation and
         appearance only. 
      2. It probably had a large membership, a fine meeting place,
         prominent members, etc., and the outsider, observing from
         outward appearances, would think that they were the ideal
         church.
         a. No doubt an outsider, looking, in would see an ideal
            church with things running smoothly.
         b. A church that ignores it weakness and problems
            ("running smoothly"), is in far greater jeopardy before
            the Lord than a church which deals with its problems.
      3. However, in the eyes of Christ they were "dead."
         a. Many churches today have a reputation of being sound
            and active, but inwardly, they are decaying and dying.

III. EXHORTATION.  Rev. 3:2-3
   A. All churches today that are in the same condition as Sardis    
      need to heed the Lord's exhortations:
      1. "Be watchful."
         a. Those who are dead in the Lord's work are not ready for
            His coming.  Luke 12:35-40; 1 Thess. 5:1-6
      2. "Strengthen."  (Strengthen the things which remain, that are
         ready to die).
         a. They were to grow and to build on what they had.
         b. Jesus said that He had not found their works perfect
            (completed, fulfilled, perfected) before God.
            (1) For example, some can only partake of milk when
                they should be able to partake of meat.  Heb.
                5:11-6:2
      3. "Remember."  (Remember how you have received and
         heard).
         a. They should recall the time when they first gave their
            hearts to the Lord and compare it to their present
            condition.  Compare Rev. 2:5.
         b. They should remember what they had heard and how
            they had accepted it.
      4.  And, "Hold it fast."  See also Rev. 2:25; 3:11.
         a. They should rigidly hold to what they had received with
            the same love and zeal they once had.
         b. Some may have all the outward forms of being faithful;
            e.g., regular attendance; however, they may be lacking
            regarding many of the other things of Christian duty;
            e.g., praying, studying, teaching, visiting, benevolence,
            and purity of heart.
      5. And, "Repent."
         a. Those who are dead in the Lord's work are in sin, and
            need to repent.
         b. Just as one does not repent of error until he gives up
            error, one hasn't truly repented of negligence until he
            begins doing what he ought to do.  James 4:17

IV. WARNING.  Rev. 3:3b
   A. We need to be watchful at all times, less sudden destruction
      overtakes us as a thief in the night.
      1. Those who are dead in the Lord's work, are in danger of
         losing their souls.  Prov. 29:1; Heb. 12:25
      2. As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be when the Lord
         comes.  Matt. 24:37-39

V. COMMENDATION.  Rev. 3:4
   A. Even in a place where so much had declined, and where most had
      become dead, there were a few who were true and loyal in their
      service to the Lord.
      1. They had not defiled their garments.
         a. They had kept themselves unspotted from the world.
      2. They had kept themselves from the prevailing corruption of
         deadness.
         a. Just as zeal is contagious, so is indifference.  These   
            few had not been influenced by the others.
      3. The Lord said, "They shall walk with me in white, for they
         are worthy."
         a. Again, he gives another promise of eternal life to the
            faithful.
   B. Notice that it is possible to have a church which as a whole is
      lacking, but still have faithful members in it.
      1. In some of the other churches we have studied, they had
         error and immorality, and the whole church was told to
         repent.
      2. The church at Sardis was not accused of having error or
         allowing immorality; thus, though the church as a whole was
         lacking, they had some who were faithful.
      3. No doubt, this is true of many congregations today.
         a. In many churches today, there are a few who keep the
            work going, and who keep the church pure.
         b. If it were not for these few, the whole group would have
            their candlestick  removed.

VI. PROMISE.
   A. The Lord, in verse 5, mentions three blessings which will be  
      given to those who overcome:
      1. Clothed in white raiment.
         a. White represents holiness, purity, perfection.  Isa.     
            1:18; 61:10; Rev. 19:8, 14
         b. It is appropriate that those who keep their garments
            undefiled on earth should appear in white in heaven. 
            Rev. 6:11; 7:9, 13-14
      2. Will not blot out his name from the Book of Life.
         a. One's name is first put in the Book of Life when he
            obeys the gospel and is allowed to remain if he
            continues to be faithful.  Phil. 4:3; Rev. 20:15; 21:27;
            22:19).
      3. Will confess his name before my Father and before His
         angels.  Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8-9
         a. It is evident that those who do not overcome will not be
            confessed before the Father.
         b. The same is true of all the other conditional promises,  
            all of which destroy the idea of "once saved always      
            saved."

Concl.
   A. Application:
      1. Are you dead spiritually?  Are you lazy and indifferent in  
         the Lord's work.
      2. Do you, from all outward appearances, seem to be a
         Christian, but actually you are only one outwardly?
      3. Repent, and strengthen the things which remain.
      4. Let us all strive to overcome so that we can keep our names
         in the Book of Life.