Cardboard Cutout Christians: Rev. 3:1-6

I. The Spirit’s Work in the Church vs. 1a

A. The seven Spirits of God is the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of the believer. This was exemplified by Jesus. Isa. 11:2

Isaiah 11:2 NASB95

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

B. If we would only surrender fully to the Lord, then the Holy Spirit would work in us so that we are not going through the motions like a cardboard cut out Christian.

II. The Strange Name of the Church vs. 1b

A. The name or reputation of the church was that it was alive but it was really dead. You can only go on a name like that for so long, before word gets out that you’re a used to be church.

B. When a church dies it starts from the inside out. The Spirit’s tangible felt presence is seldom felt. They quit depending on God, and start depending on what they can do.

C. The sevenfold ministry becomes the seven forgotten gifts (Isa. 11:2)

III. The Strong Wake Up Call to the Church vs. 2-6

A. The wake up call was that they either needed to have the funeral or a revival/resurrection.

B. They need to remember what they recieved, that is the sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit.

C. Keep it! Die in order to live!

D. Repent/Resurrect.

E. If not Jesus would judge them. He would do so in a way that those who followed Him would be rewarded.

F. Judgement here would be a physical death, hence the book of life. These have committed the sin unto death, and/or lied to the Holy Spirit. I John 5:16

1 John 5:16 NASB95

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.

Acts 5:3–4 NASB95

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

G. Christ will purify His church, the choice is yours. It comes through resurrection or judgement.