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The Dead church
- 1st – The introduction… vs. 1
- FOUR sections
- Each of the LETTERS to the churches contains FOUR sections…
- Introduction – Positive – Negative – and Encouragement!
- 1st – The Angel…
- To the angel!
- As you will recall – there are TWO thoughts on WHO this ANGEL was…
- FIRST – a guardian ANGEL – who watched over SARDIS – Hebrews 1:14
- SECOND – it could be the PASTOR of the church…
- ANGEL [ἄγγελος] – means messenger – one who gives Gods WORD…
- Therefore – Jesus is talking about the PASTOR – who gave His church His Word!
- 2nd – The City…
- Of the church in Sardis write!
- SARDIS is the modern city of SART – just a SMALL village today…
- It is about 100km east of SMYRNA – and about 60km south of THYATIRA…
- It is located in the fertile Pactolus river valley!
- Biblical times…
- SARDIS used to be a VERY large city – it had a population of over 120 THOUSAND…
- It was famous for being the city where the first COINS in history were minted…
- The story of MIDAS – gold touch – comes from the city of SARDIS…
- The ruins of the city today are VERY extensive – some of the most impressive in Turkey…
- Near the acropolis of the city – the ruins of the TEMPLE of Diana [more intact than Ephesus]
- There is a HUGE gymnasium complex – it covers over TWO hectares…
- The LARGEST ancient Jewish synagogue outside Israel – seated over 1000 people…
- It is located in the MIDDLE of the town – on the CARDO – main street of the city…
- Everything about the CITY was meant to LOOK impressive…
- But the city did NOT last – it DIED – so that there are only RUINS left today!
- The fate of the CITY of SARDIS – was the same as the CHURCH…
- Impressive on the outside – but it was just a facade – the church was DYING…
- And the WARNING Jesus gave – was for them to REPENT – before it was TOO late!
- Of the church in Sardis write!
- 3rd – The Tone…
- Describing Jesus…
- In His INTRODUCTION to each of the Churches – Jesus looks back…
- Highlighting specific CHARACTERISTICS of the Vision from – Revelation 1:11-18
- The choice of CHARACTERISTICS – will set the TONE for the LETTER to that church…
- The TONE to SARDIS – was one of REPENTANCE because of they were spiritually DEAD!
- The SEVEN…
- These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars!
- SEVEN – used 54x in REVELATION – is a number we will see a LOT in this book…
- In the Bible the number SEVEN – is used to represent COMPLETION…
- God created the world in SIX days – and He rested on the SEVENTH day – Genesis 2:2
- Because the WORK was COMPLETE – nothing else needed to be done!
- Therefore – the SEVEN Spirits – is a reference to the COMPLETE [Holy] Spirit…
- Who is described as being in the PRESENCE of the THRONE of the Father – Revelation 1:4
- STARS in the hand of Jesus – are the ANGELS [pastors] of the churches – Revelation 1:20
- It is the SPIRIT of God who can empower the PASTORS – bring LIFE back to a DEAD Church!
- Spirit gives LIFE…
- Israel as a NATION died – they ceased to exist in 70 A.D.
- But Ezekiel was given a Prophecy regarding the REBIRTH of Israel…
- God showed him a valley of DRY bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14
- God told the PASTOR [Ezekiel] to SPEAK the Word of the LORD to the DEAD bones!
- Ezekiel 37:5 – “I will cause [My] SPIRIT [רוּח] to enter into [them] – and [they] shall live.”
- If a CHURCH is spiritually DEAD – the solution is to give them the WORD of God…
- Because the TRUTH of the WORD – will fill the people with the SPIRIT of God…
- And the SPIRIT of God can bring LIFE – from DEATH!
- John 6:63 – “It is the Spirit [πνεῦμα] who gives life – the flesh profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
- Describing Jesus…
- FOUR sections
- 2nd – The Negative… vs. 1-3
- 1st – Jesus KNOWS… vs. 1
- I know your works!
- KNOWS [εἴδω] – to SEE and UNDERSTAND – Hebrews 4:13
- Jesus will make this statement to all SEVEN churches – He sees [perfect] EVERYTHING…
- What He saw in SARDIS was a lot more – BAD than GOOD…
- So much so that the order is REVEARSED here – NEGATIVE is given FIRST!
- 2nd – The Problem… vs. 1
- You have a name that you are alive – but you are dead!
- The church in SARDIS had a REPUTATION [name] that they were ALIVE [ζάω]
- But in SPITE of what people said – the TRUTH was they were spiritually DEAD [νεκρός]!
- DEAD church…
- If a person receiving medical treatment DIES – the doctor will try and REVIVE them…
- There is no need to REVIVE them – if they are still ALIVE!
- We hear a lot about REVIVAL in the church – we are encouraged to PRAY for it…
- The word itself means to bring back to LIFE – something that is DEAD…
- Meaning we pray for REVIVAL – because the church has DIED!
- History of REVIVALS…
- Throughout history there have been many REVIVALS…
- The SPIRIT of God will move in a particular church or place…
- But it never seems to LAST – inevitably – only the REPUTATION remains…
- One reason we have so many DENOMINATIONS – is because of repeated REVIVALS…
- When one denomination DIES – the SPIRIT of God moves on and starts again!
- The path of SARDIS…
- SARDIS at one time must have been ALIVE – a vibrant church…
- But as has happened so many times since – they church DIED!
- When the SPIRIT of God is poured out in a church [Pentecost] – there is LIFE…
- Eventually though – men get a hold of the MOVEMENT – and make it a METHOD…
- They no longer do they LOOK to God to ask how He wants to WORK…
- They start to dictate to God – this is how the church MUST work [tradition]
- That is the beginning of the END – when a church starts to DIE…
- Like a GRAVESTONE – that church remains only to mark the place of a once great REVIVAL!
- You have a name that you are alive – but you are dead!
- 3rd – The Examination… vs. 2
- Be watchful – and strengthen the things which remain – that are ready to die!
- Be [imperative] WATCHFUL [γρηγορέω] – to be CAUTIOUS – pay close attention…
- And STRENGTHEN [στηρίζω] the things that remain [imperative]
- Because even what LITTLE is left – is ready to DIE!
- If someone is DYING of heart disease – and goes to the DOCTOR for advice…
- And they are given a strict DIET and EXERCISE – that will allow them to live LONGER…
- It is a WISE patient who pays CLOSE attention – so they can STRENGTHEN their heart…
- Because to IGNORE the problem – means the END will come quickly!
- For I have not found your works perfect before God!
- God had EXAMINED [εὑρίσκω] the church in SARDIS – and found a HEART problem…
- They were NOT abounding [πληρόω] in their WORKS before God…
- Their LACK of WORKS – was the evidence of a PROBLEM in their HEARTS!
- Like a HEART patient – who can no longer walk up a flight of STAIRS…
- The church of SARDIS – no longer had a HEART to do GOOD works for the LORD!
- It is EASY to talk about living for the LORD – even to have a REPUTATION…
- But the question is do we have a life that ABOUNDS with GOOD works today…
- We MUST [imperative] be WATCHFUL – and EXAMINE our HEARTS!
- II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.”
- Be watchful – and strengthen the things which remain – that are ready to die!
- 4th – The Solution… vs. 3
- Remember therefore how you have received and heard!
- What is the REMEDY for a church that is DYING – Jesus gives THREE commands…
- FIRST – REMEMBER [imperative] – the church needs to recall what they RECEIVED…
- What had the church RECEIVED – the power [δύναμις] of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:33
- And they needed to REMEMBER what they had HEARD…
- Speaking of the WORD of God – the BIBLE – go back to what God said – Romans 10:17
- In the late 1960s church attendance was plummeting – what remained was dying…
- There was a little church in Southern California called C
- Remember therefore how you have received and heard!
- 1st – Jesus KNOWS… vs. 1
- alvary Chapel…
- The pastor there was in a denomination that had him rotate churches every TWO years…
- But he LOVED to surf – and did not want to change locations [Huntington beach]
- He needed MORE teachings – so he taught through I JOHN – the church doubled in size…
- He went on to teach ROMANS – the church DOUBLED again!
- About that time the HIPPIES [sex – drugs – rock and roll] movement was at its peak…
- Up till that time the church was defined by SUITS – TIES and HYMNS…
- The SPIRIT stirred the pastor to open the church to JEANS – TSHIRTS – and GUITARS…
- When these REBEL youth heard the WORD of God – REVIVAL took place!
- We need to be so careful what we use to DEFINE the church…
- If we are holding onto TRADITIONS – this is what we have ALWAYS done…
- Then we are NOT going to have LIFE – we need to REMEMBER…
- What brings REVIVAL is going back to the WORD of God – teaching the Bible…
- And being led by the SPIRIT of God – open to how He wants to move in His CHURCH!
- Romans 16:25 – “Now to Him who is able to establish [στηρίζω] you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…”
- Hold fast!
- SECOND – HOLD fast [imperative] – to not let go – cling to…
- Because it is NOT just about a revival TODAY – we want to CONTINUE to live!
- It is heavy to think – EVERY revival in the history of the church – eventually came to an end…
- The reason – people FORGOT about the POWER of the HOLY Spirit…
- And the NEGLECTED the importance of the Word of God!
- There are some churches who still have the SPIRIT – but no WORD…
- Others – have the WORD – but no power of the SPIRIT…
- Unless a church HOLDS fast to BOTH – the TRUTH and the POWER – there is no LIFE!
- Repent!
- THIRD – REPENT [imperative] – the church needs to TURN around…
- Jesus commanded SARDIS to give an HONEST look at who they were…
- Realize they had FORGOTTEN – the power of the SPIRIT – and importance of the WORD…
- And come back – because it was NOT too late for a REVIVAL!
- The final instructions Jesus gave to His disciples before His ascension – was to WAIT…
- The Disciples had THREE years of living – following – being taught by Jesus…
- They had witnessed His crucifixion and resurrection…
- And had even been taught by Jesus FORTY days after the resurrection…
- But that is NOT enough – they were still to WAIT to bring the Good News to the world…
- Because if the disciples had tried to build the church on their own – if they had NOT waited…
- The book of Acts would have ended with chapter ONE – there would be NO church…
- They NEEDED the POWER and the TRUTH to REVIVE a dead world!
- Acts 1:8 – “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you – and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem – and in all Judea and Samaria – and to the end of the earth.”
- We – the CHURCH – need to be HONEST about how effective we are…
- Do we have a REPUTAITON – a NAME – people talk about us…
- Or do we have POWER – we see the evidence of lives transformed around us…
- If we do NOT see the POWER of the Spirit working through our lives…
- If we are NOT living according to the TRUTH of the WORD…
- The answer is simple – we need to be REVIVED – REPENT and come back to Jesus!
- 5th – The warning… vs. 3
- Therefore – if you will not watch – I will come upon you as a thief…
- And you will not know what hour I will come upon you!
- If [subjunctive] the church did not WATCH [γρηγορέω]
- Jesus will come on them like a THIEF – because you never KNOW when a thief will come!
- The RAPTURE…
- I Thessalonians 5:2 – “You yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”
- We NEVER know when a THIEF will come – the RAPTURE will be the same way…
- No one knows the exact day or hour – only the FATHER knows – Mark 13:32
- With NO warning – it will happen in the BLINK of an eye [ἄτομος] – I Corinthians 15:52
- The trumpet of God sounds – the call for the church to go home – I Thessalonians 4:16
- But some will NOT be ready – a portion of the church is DEAD…
- Living in EMPTY traditions – filling seats on Sunday mornings – but NO life…
- And if they are not REVIVED – they will MISS the RAPTURE of the church!
- Therefore – if you will not watch – I will come upon you as a thief…
- 3rd – The Positive… vs. 4
- 1st – A few names…
- You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments!
- Not ALL of the church in SARDIS was DEAD…
- There were a FEW [ὀλίγος] whose clothing [lives] were NOT defiled…
- DEFILED [μολύνω] – to be STAINED black with permanent ink!
- There is a CONTRAST here – SARDIS had a NAME [ὄνομα] it was ALIVE…
- But there were only a few NAMES [ὄνομα] who actually were not STAINED black!
- 2nd – Worthy…
- They shall walk with Me in white – for they are worthy!
- Those FEW – would WALK [future] with Jesus – because they are [present] WORTHY…
- Do NOT miss – it was their choice NOW – that dictated where they would walk LATER!
- The LESSON of SARDIS is one of going against the FLOW…
- Though most people go to CHURCH as a TRADITION – just to have the NAME Christian…
- We want to be one of the FEW – those who have WHITE clothes…
- SINNERS who have been washed in the BLOOD of the Lamb…
- Who KNOW one day we will WALK with our Lord – because He has made us WORTHY!
- Revelation 7:14 – “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
- 1st – A few names…
If we are willing to LISTEN to what His SPIRIT has to SAY!
4th – The encouragement… vs. 5-6
1st – The PROMISE … vs. 5
He who overcomes!
This same CONCLUSION – is given to all SEVEN churches…
There are a variety of REWARDS described – but all with the same CONDITION…
OVERCOME [νικάω] – to those who have VICTORY [present]
For SARDIS – VICTORY – meant REPENTANCE from DEAD tradition!
Shall be clothed in white garments!
There was one man who came to God – wearing the wrong clothes – Matthew 22:11-14
This man came in HIS clothes – HIS righteousness – HIS own good works…
When God questioned him about it – the man was speechless…
And the LORD had him cast into outer darkness – weeping and gnashing of teeth!
Everyone will one day stand before the Great white throne – Revelation 20:11
There are only TWO options as to what we can WEAR as we stand before a HOLY God…
We can stand in OUR clothes – OUR good deed – OUR righteousness…
And we will be judged by OUR works – speechless – as we are cast into HELL…
OR we can be clothed in the WHITE robes of the righteousness of Jesus – Revelation 3:5
I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life!
Those who are CLOTHED in WHITE – will NEVER [οὖν μὴ] have their name BLOTTED out…
What does it mean to be BLOTTED out of the BOOK of LIFE – THREE views:
FIRST – when we are BORN – everyone has their name in the BOOK of LIFE…
But those who REJECT Jesus – the Gospel – get their name BLOTTED out!
SECOND – those who REJECT Jesus – NEVER have their name written in the BOOK of LIFE…
Therefore their NAMES were ERASED – in that they were never WRITTEN down!
THIRD – when we BELIEVE in Jesus – our names are written in the BOOK of LIFE…
But if we turn away from the LORD – DEAD church – our names can be ERASED!
But I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels!
The PROMISE is if we are CLOTHED in WHITE – the Lord will NEVER erase our names…
Instead Jesus will BLOT out our SINS – Colossians 2:14
And He will CONFESS us before the FATHER and the Angels!
Luke 12:8 – “I say to you – whoever confesses Me before men – him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.”
2nd – LISTEN … vs. 6
He who has an ear – let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!
This was NOT written just for the church in SARDIS…
It is for ANYONE who has an EAR – they MUST [imperative] LISTEN…
Because the SPIRIT of God is SPEAKING [present] to ALL churches [plural]
This LETTER is for us – Jesus is writing to us TODAY…
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