A Warning on Pseudo-Holiness

Spiritual Revelations

Tonight before we dive into the lesson I would like to briefly discuss several spiritual revelations we see revealed in these six verses:

What is meant by the seven spirits of God?

Isaiah 11:2

Seven also means completeness

This is a reference to the Holy Spirit

Book of life

“A register of those who are citizens of the heavenly kingdom and possess eternal life” -Millard Erickson

Daniel 12:1-2 & Revelation 20:15

The One Who Knows the Heart

Revelation 3:1 (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.

Reputation and action can differ.

When we go to Xtreme Winter and i can build up this reputation their I’m the greatest wiffle ball player of all time, but does my reputation mean it is true? Y’all know my works, and my wiffle ball skills are dreadful. Like if you were in a competition to win money I would be the last guy you would choose. Reputation does not mean much if it is a misplaced reputation

The church at Sardis had a good reputation on the religious front, but Jesus knows their game. In essence they were living a sham behind religious tradition Jesus sees the whole picture, not just a day picture, what becomes evident when you zoom out (use Taylor Swift example).

It does not matter what your peers think of you, does not matter what the people of this town think about you. What matters is what Jesus knows, he knows your every detail. He knows your every intention. Judgment day, no one will have a say so on your behalf besides Jesus (v. 5).

What is the true driving force behind the works? Is the sole priority behind your works to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31)?

How does True Holiness Look?

Revelation 3:2 (ESV)

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.

Jesus gives two commands here in verse 2, wake up and strengthen.

Wake up

This word in the Greek means to be on alert. Holiness is not something that just happens by accident or complacentcy, but takes effort.

lack in spiritual alertness is a path to spiritual destruction

How can we act in alertness in such a way that we grow in holiness?

Know Scripture

Example Philippians 4:13

Analyze your life

Where is contentment found

Develop a battle plan

How to find more contentment in Christ

Strengthen

This comes from a Greek word that also has the meaning of establishing

Jesus tells them in a sense to strengthen their faith in such a way it is set up for permanence.

How do we strengthen our faith? ASK PEOPLE

How do we build our faith in permanence?

Not letting our faith being built around emotional decisions.

Setting guards in place

Community

A Call to Repentance

Revelation 3:3 (ESV)

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.

Jesus calls the church in this passage to repent.

What does repent mean?

Oxford defines it as: feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin

But what is a sign of sincerity? Turning from the sin. Repentance is more than just saying Jesus I’m sorry. We have all heard, “If you are truly sorry, prove it.” Is true repentance if it is not followed by an attempt at change?

What are we repenting from?

Sin, what is sin? Anything contrary to the will of God

We are repenting from a life not lived in surrender to the Lordship of God.

Is the window of repentance always open?

It is not.

Pharoah is an example

Exodus 8:15 ESV

But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

Exodus 9:12 ESV

But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

Also in Romans we see God handing people over to their sins.

Romans 1:24–25 ESV

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

God offers grace but their is no rule he has to offer it forever in this lifetime. Many times in the Bible we see people handed over to their sin, rather as a believer to open our eyes or rather it is bringing judgment on an unbeliever.

Also in this scripture in revelation it mentions Jesus coming like a thief. Does a thief come when expected? No. Your face to face with Jesus is come before you know it. Rather that face to face is around Jesus second coming or if it is when you die, it will come unexpectedly. It is dangerous to put off

Comfort and strength make us neglect repentance. Sardis was a city that saw themselves as untouchable because of where they were positioned. The American church is in the same position. We are very comfortable society and rather secure. We depend on our wealth and strength. We can solve many problems with money and power. We can constantly keep our minds occupied. Constantly occupied minds cannot wrestle with things. Sardis did not have persecution going on, much like us. It did not cost them to believe. How many of you would be here if it put your life on the line? Our minds have been trained to be numb and search for quick fixes. Or we tell ourselves we young and got time.

They say live it in your twenties Go and get yours go and get money Sow them wild oats slide with some honeys Yeah I tried that already and them lies don't satisfy buddy This one's really dumb they like have some fun Now and change tomorrow, but that may never come (Tick tock) And they saying they excuse is that they young Well you stop making excuses when a man's what you become Don't believe the lies yeah y'all ain't missing nothing 'Cept never ending games of holding on to sand grains They calling me a fool I giving what I can't keep Gaining what I can't lose

Outro

Will Jesus confess your name? Is your life a holy life or a pseudo holy?