A Call To Revival

As I was considering how to intro this last message in our series “Seeking Renewal”…The Lord led me to a reminder of a book on my shelf.

About ten years ago Thom Rainer wrote a book called Autopsy of a Dead Church.

In that book Rainer pointed out several fatal causes that bring a church to its end:

treating the past as the hero;

• refusing to adapt to the needs of the present community;

• moving the focus of the budget inward;

• allowing the Great Commission to become the Great Omission;

• letting the church become preference-driven out of selfishness and personal agendas;

• seeing the tenure of the pastors decreasing;

• failing to have regular, corporate prayer;

• having no clear purpose or vision; and

• obsessing over the facilities.

Revelation 3:1–6 ESV

1 “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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

The Seven Churches of John’s address/Revelation from the book of Revelation.

Notice each of these were in a line and the messenger would have taken the address to them in line.

Sardis was about 30 miles to the southeast of Thyatira.

It was a famous city with much wealth and it took pride in its temple to Cybele

It was also famous for its necropolis, known as the cemetery of 1,000 hills (able to be seen from 7 miles away).

It had seen its best days and was continuing to dwell in its past.

Sardis was so connected to its past that it considered it more than its present or future.

Think about the description of the city and then you will understand the church.

As we read our text this morning…these are written in red in many Bibles as the Words of Christ.

Jesus is characterized in the text as “him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.”

Now that we have description of the place He speaks towards…lets see how the church matches its community.

Are You?

If we are real for a minute we can see Jesus speak to this question about Sardis.

We can take note of His desire to see them do some self analyzing and evaluation.

Jesus begins with a pointed statement:

Revelation 3:1 (ESV)

1 ... “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

Heed The Alarm!

Revelation 3:2–3 ESV

2 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. 3 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.

Revelation 3:6 ESV

6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Some Remain!

Revelation 3:4–5 ESV

4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Walking Away, But In...

Be Aware

Get to Serving

Remember/Focus

Heed

Turn