Lesson 7
I remember when I played basketball. At the beginning of the game, it was always a great feeling to hear the announcer call out the names of the starting players as we ran out to line up at center court. What a special time! I think it will be that way in heaven. Christ will announce the name of each of His true followers before God the Father and before his angels. In Matthew 10:32b, what does Jesus promise if you confess, or acknowledge, Him before men, or people, (ANTHRŌPOS, awn’-throw-pos)?
1. Attire. He says: “ ‘… they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy’ ” (3:4c). These are not earthly white clothes, but heavenly white clothes that will be given to the righteous in heaven. They are like the clothes of the glorified Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. How are they described in Mark 9:3?
To obey God’s Word in the area of rekindling your spiritual life, you must first repent (3:3c). This requires more than just being sorry for the sin of letting your spiritual flames die down. The word repent (METANOEŌ, meta-no’-oh) refers to a change of mind based on reflection. It means a change of mind followed by a change in behavior. You must do a spiritual “about face” and start living whole-heartedly for Christ. How does Lamentations 3:40 describe what it means to repent?
Jesus says to the church at Sardis: “ ‘Remember, then, what you received and heard’ ” (3:3a). There are two things to remember if you want to rekindle your spiritual flame. First, you must remember the salvation you received in Christ. You need to remember how you were saved. According to 2 Corinthians 5:21, what did God do for your sake so you might be the righteousness of God in Christ?
Once you see what the Bible says about your condition, “ ‘keep it,’ ” or “hold fast” (3:3b), which means to obey. It is not enough to know what the Bible says. How does James 1:22 express this fact?
The spiritual fire in the church at Sardis is dying. Therefore, the Lord wants them to strengthen the few signs of spiritual life that remain. How does our Lord describe their condition (3:2d)?
To rekindle your spiritual life, first recognize your need. Addressing the previous four churches, our Lord began with a word of commendation. However, our Lord’s first word to the church at Sardis is: “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive’ ” (3:1c–d). Then, what does our Lord say to the church at Sardis (3:1e)?
Our Lord introduces Himself to the “angel,” or pastor, “of the church in Sardis,” and says, “write: The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars …’ ” (3:1a–b). The seven spirits of God are mentioned four times in Revelation (1:4; 3:1; 4:5, & 5:6). It refers to the fullness of the Holy Spirit. (See comments on page 11.) Only the power of the Holy Spirit can revitalize a church or a believer. Why, according to Ephesians 3:16b?