02.07. 7 Churches- 5- Sardis
SARDIS
Revelation 3:1-6 Introduction: Review I.ADDRESS: Revelation 3:1 1.To the angel (messenger) of the church at Sardis.
II. DESCRIPTION OF SPEAKER - Revelation 3:1
1."Hath the seven spirits of God" seven is repeated throughout the Revelation. a.Seven represents fullness, 7 churches, 7 seals, 7 thunders, 7 vials, 7 plagues, 7 trumpets (There are seven sevens) b.John 3:34 - Jesus had the spirit without measure. Perhaps here the picture is not of him who received, but him who is able to give the spirit. c.With this fullness of spirit, he looks at a spiritless church. 2."Seven Stars" Revelation 1:20 messengers; he supports them.
III. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CHURCH "I KNOW"
(Here is a departure from the usual order--because so few are faithful) 1."Thou hast a name that thou livest" a.A reputable church. It had a big reputation. What are some of the things that would probably give it a reputation? 1.Probably a large membership 2.Probably had material wealth 3.Probably an attractive ritual 4.And a sound creed b.Instead of being vigorous and full of life, Jesus says, "you are more like a corpse. c.As even in animals you may see involuntary muscular convulsions after life is gone so Sardis was dead and that remained was the ghastly twitching of a corpse. 2."But thou arth dead" a.Alive but dead. 1 Timothy 5:6 She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth b.As evidence of this lifeless condition, no persecutions were leveled against this church. Why should Satan and his cohorts trouble themselves about a corpse? c.Whenever a person or a church, reaches a point in life where the world ceases to fight him, we may safely say that a compromise has been reached. (Cf. 2 Timothy 3:12) 3."Imperfect in work before God" a.Their works were not completed. "You started a lot of things but you never finished them." Probably for a reputation. b.What works they were interested in were done "before men" and not before God."
IV. EXHORTATION AND ADMONITION
1."Be watchful" The city of Sardis had twice been captured in the past because of sentries who were asleep on duty. a."Twice" he exhorts them to become watchers. b.Mark 13:37, 1 Corinthians 10:33 2.Establish the things which remain, which are ready to die-- a.A church with a possibility--dead but not hopeless. b.The stronger members have responsibility toward the weak and dying-- Galatians 6:1-2 c.For I have found no works of thine before God. 3.Remember therefore how thou dids’t receive and dids’t hear-- a.They were those (Mark 4:16-17) who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time." b.The same admonition given Ephesus. "Remember" your first state and get back to it. 4.And keep it and repent. a."Hold fast" --this is necessary in every field. b.The tense here is imp. It is present imperative, "Continue to keep". c.Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30 V.THREAT
1.If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief--...not know hour.. a.Not as a bandit with violence, but secretly and suddenly. b.Matthew 24:43; 2 Peter 3:10 VI.WHAT IS RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH 1.A few that did not defile their garments a.A "few" this is true in too many places. It was probably a large congregation in membership and reputation, but only a few kept it from being entirely outside the circle of the chart. (See Chart) b.James 1:27, keep self unspotted from the world. 2.They shall walk with me in white (robes). a.Had been made whit in the blood of the lamb. Revelation 7:14 b.Progress--walk (life) Partnership--with me - that is with Christ Purity--in white washed in the blood of the lamb. 3.For they are worthy a.This could not be said of all of them.
VIII.PROMISED REWARD 1.He that overcometh shall be arrayed in white garments a.Song "Beautiful Robes of White" -Songs of the Church #29 b.White is a heavenly color. Mark 9:3, Matthew 28:3, Revelation 1:14, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 6:2, Revelation 20:11 2.No wise will blot his name out of the book of life a.Fig of striking the name of the dead out of the list of citizens. b.Further in Jewish thought, the Book of life in figurative language in O.T. was the register of the covenant people. Isaiah 4:3, Ezekiel 13:9 c.Therefore to be blotted out was to forfeit the privileges of the covenant. d.But it took on the meaning of the log of immortality, Daniel 12:1, Psalms 109:13-14 e.Luke 10:20, Php 4:3, Revelation 20:12, Revelation 22:19 3.I will confess his name before my Father and the angels. a.Matthew 10:32-33 4.Summary of Blessings 1.He shall be in undefiled glory 2.He shall never lose his heavenly citizenship 3.He shall be publicly acknowledge as a citizen by the Judge. 5.He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit says unto the churches.