Sardis: The Dead Church

Introduction

A. The Book of Revelation Was Written to the Seven Churches of Asia

Revelation 1:11 (NKJV)

Revelation 1:11 (NKJV)

11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

We have already discussed: Ephesus; Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira

B. Today, we turn our attention to Sardis: The Dead Church

I. The City and Church at Sardis

A. The City

Location

It was located along the Pactolus River, a tributary of the Hermus River

“The city was about 60 miles east of Smyrna on the Aegean coast, and about the same distance west of Laodicea.” - Drouhard, R. L. (2016). Sardis. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.

It was the capital of the ancient city of Lydia

There is now only a small village (Sart) near the site of the ancient city.

Sardis Was Considered One of the Great Cities of Ancient History

“Sardis was one of the great cities of primitive history; in the Greek view it was long the greatest city of all” - Ramsey

It was the birthplace of modern money. The first coins were minted there.

“Excavations at Sardis have uncovered the acropolis, impressive monumental buildings, a gymnasium, and a temple dedicated to Artemis..” (Eerdmans Dictionary)

B. The Church at Sardis

Nothing Is Known of Its Beginning

It may have begun through Paul's work while at Ephesus - Acts 19:8-10

Acts 19:8–10 (NKJV)

8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.

9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Other Than What is Written In This Letter We Know Nothing of the Church

Nothing positive is said about the church at Sardis

II. The Identification or Christ’s Self-Designation

A. He Who Has the the Seven Spirits of God

First mentioned in the introduction to Revelation - Rev 1:4

Revelation 1:4 (NKJV)

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

Again later in the vision of the throne scene - Rev 4:5

Revelation 4:5 (NKJV)

5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

B. He Who Has …The Seven Stars

Rev 1:16

Revelation 1:16 (NKJV)

16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

The seven angels (messengers) to the seven churches - Rev 1:20

Revelation 1:20 (NKJV)

20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

III. The Lord’s Condemnation (1b-2)

Revelation 3:1–2 (NKJV)

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

A. You Have a Name That You Are Alive But You Are Dead (v.1).

Revelation 3:1 (NKJV)

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Good Qualities That Did Not Prevent their Death

A Good Reputation

Good Reputation Might Be Based On:

Past stand

Member that are known

Preacher had or have

How stood on one issue

Some churches live on a name

What they were in past

Doctrinal stand issue of the day

Possible to have a lot that right – still be wrong

Possible that churches can change – they had

Churches are not always as they appear!

Activity (v.1)

Revelation 3:1 (NKJV)

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

They had works (v.1)

Not enough to be busy – must be lawful (Mt. 7:22-23)

Matthew 7:22–23 (NKJV)

22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Not enough to be busy at just some things (v. 2)

Revelation 3:2 (NKJV)

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

Matt. 23:23

Matthew 23:23 (NKJV)

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Good Bible class program – yet don’t withdraw

Personal evangelism program – yet soft

Support many preachers – yet have worldliness

Building program – yet neglect spiritual

Someone has said that “there are few things better organized than graveyards, but there is little life there!” So it was at Sardis; they had a reputation that they lived, but the One with perfect knowledge said they were dead. - Summers, R. (1951). Worthy is the Lamb: an interpretation of Revelation. (p. 120). Broadman Press

Peaceful Atmosphere

No evidence of division or strife

Peace must not be toleration of sin (1 Cor. 5)

Peace must not be toleration of error (2 Tim. 4:1-5)

2 Timothy 4:1–5 (NKJV)

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Peace must not be from indifference (Rev. 3:16-17)

Revelation 3:16–17 (NKJV)

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

Sin is no problem to those who don’t care

Error doesn’t matter to those who are apathetic

Some love peace & harmony over truth!

A Few Good Members (v.4)

Revelation 3:4 (NKJV)

4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Good members will not answer for sins of others

Good members will not remove the sins of others

Good members at Corinth didn’t mean there were not serious problems (1 Cor.5 and 6)

Good members can remain good – in spite of others

Good members can change – as others influence them(1 Cor. 5:6)

1 Corinthians 5:6 (NKJV)

6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

B. “I Have Not Found Your Works Perfect Before God” (v.2)

Revelation 3:2 (NKJV)

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

I have not found them complete or full. They come short of that which is required.

ESV - “I have not found your works complete…”

Revelation 3:2 (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.

NIV 2011 - “I have found your deeds unfinished….”

Revelation 3:2 (NIV)

2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.

NLT - “ I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.”

Revelation 3:2 (NLT)

2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.

They may have been “all talk” and “No action” (Prov 14:23).

Proverbs 14:23 (NKJV)

23 In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

They may not have been performed by faith (James 2:22)

James 2:22 (NKJV)

22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

Perhaps they started but just didn’t finish their work.

IV. The Lord’s Instruction (How to Prevent Death or Revive Live)

A. Be Watchful (v.2).

Revelation 3:2 (NKJV)

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

Perhaps a lack of watchfulness had led to their spiritual death

We Must Watch:

Self - Gal 6:1

Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

For the Lord’s Coming - Matt 25:13

Matthew 25:13 (NKJV)

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

For the devil (Matt 26:41; 1 Pet 5:8)

Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)

41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

For what to pray for (Col 4:6)

Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

“Whenever we are off our watch, we lose   ground, and therefore must return to our   watchfulness against sin, and Satan, and   whatever is destructive to the life and power of   godliness.” -Matthew Henry

B. Strengthen Things That Remain (v. 2)

Revelation 3:2 (NKJV)

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

"There was yet a flicker of life that could be fanned into flame: and though the fire had cooled to a few coals that were fast becoming ashes, so long as there was that flicker of light there was hope.” -Hailey

Use what strength remains (gradual process)

It could be a reference to people - warn and strengthen them so they do not become like others

It could refer to things - whatever love, faith, and service that you have strengthen it lest it die

2 Pet 1:5-11

2 Peter 1:5–11 (NKJV)

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

C. Remember (v.3)

Revelation 3:3 (NKJV)

3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. 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.

Remember where they had been - Where they need to get back to (Rev 2:5)

Revelation 2:5 (NKJV)

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Remember what they had been taught - the truth

Possible to forget (Heb 5:12)

Hebrews 5:12 (NKJV)

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

Jude 17

Jude 17 (NKJV)

17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Remember the warnings (Acts 20:31)

Acts 20:31 (NKJV)

31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

D. Repent (v.4)

Change - Turn Around and Start Doing the Word of God

Rev 2:5

Revelation 2:5 (NKJV)

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

V. The Lord’s Warning and Promise

A. If You Don’t Repent - I will Come Upon You Like A Thief in the Night

B. Undefiled Members - Walk With Me in White

C. He Who Overcomes

Clothed in White Garments

Not blot his name out of book of life (Psalm 69:27-28; Rev 21:27)

Psalm 69:27–28 (NKJV)

27 Add iniquity to their iniquity, And let them not come into Your righteousness.

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.

Revelation 21:27 (NKJV)

27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Confess his name before the father (Luke 12:8)

Luke 12:8 (NKJV)

8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.

VI. Lessons Learned

A. A Church’s Reputation is Not the Same As Its True Status

We often judge based on externals (number present, preachers supported, good singing, etc)

God always looks deeper than man (1 Sam 16:7)

1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Our concern should always be God’s judgment (1 Cor 4:3-4)

1 Corinthians 4:3–4 (NKJV)

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

B. Salvation is Individual - Not Congregational

We will all give an account of ourself before God - Rom 14:12

Romans 14:12 (NKJV)

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Sometimes a dead church has good members

C. A Dead Church Can Be Revived If It Follows God’s Instruction

John didn’t say, “Give up”; “It is hopeless”

He tells them to repent and change.

D. Christians Can Be Blotted Out of the Book of Life

It refutes the idea of “once saved always saved”.

Can’t be blotted out if it wasn’t written in

Our name being written in the book of life is all that really matters (Luke 10:17-20

Luke 10:17–20 (NKJV)

17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Conclusion

A. We should always "watch" to be sure that we are not a dead church.

B. When we see signs of death we must act to strengthen what remains.