The Recipe for Spiritual Resurrection and Revival (Rev. 3:1-6)

Revelation 3:1–6 KJV 1900

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Introduction:

Describe the state of many churches today like Sardis. Is our church on the list? Do you know a pastor that might receive this letter from Christ? Are you willing to pray and work for the change needed for the Spirit to re-landscape our impact for the Lord by redefining our idea of “success” in the ministry to align with His definition?

Main Thought: Their pastor needed a spiritual resurrection, their church folks needed spiritual revival, but thank God, there was still a spiritual remnant.

Their pastor needed a spiritual resurrection, their church folks needed spiritual revival, but thank God, there was still a spiritual remnant.

Sub-intro: Describe the context of the city of Sardis.

Body:

I. The Lord's Exhortation to the Pastor and Congregation in His Local Church in Sardis ().

A. Notice those Whom He Holds ().

Revelation 3:1 KJV 1900

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

1. He Has the Seven Spirits of God.

Note - the Holy Spirit (; ).

2. He Has the Seven Stars.

Note - The Pastor’s or Angels of the Churches (See ch. 1).

B. Notice What It Is that He Knows ().

1. The Pastor's Works.

2. The Pastor's Reputation.

3. The Pastor's Real Spiritual Condition.

C. Heed What He Counsels ().

Revelation 3:2 KJV 1900

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

1. The Command to Be on Guard ().

2. The Command to Fortify ().

Note - “perfect” means fulfilled or completed. There is more to do for Christ that this pastor is failing to do in spite of his works and reputation.

3. The Command to Remember ().

Revelation 3:3 KJV 1900

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

4. The Command to Hold Fast ().

5. The Command to Repent ().

Note the play on the history of Sardis’ defeats due to their lack of watchfulness.

D. Recognize Why It Matters ().

1. The Dangers of Lacking Vigilance.

2. The Doctrine of the Immanency of Christ's Coming.

Note - the many references to the Gospel teachings of Christ here in these few phrases concerning the Lord’s Coming.

E. Strive to Be Among those Whom He Honors ().

Revelation 3:4 KJV 1900

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

1. A Remnant Who Remained Pure.

2. A Remnant Who Walk with Jesus in Robes of White.

3. A Remnant Whom Christ Deems Worthy.

II. The Lord's Encouragement to those Who Overcome ().

Revelation 3:5 KJV 1900

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

A. The Conqueror's Raiment.

Note -

B. The Conqueror's Reassurance.

We should not interpret this statement in verse 5 to imply that some believers will lose their salvation (; , ; ). The litotes here (cf. 2:11) means the overcomer’s name will be specially glorious forever.150 [150 150. See Zane C. Hodges, “ Revisited,” The Kerugma Message 4:1 (September 1995):2. Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), .]

We should not interpret this statement in verse 5 to imply that some believers will lose their salvation (; , ; ). The litotes here (cf. 2:11) means the overcomer’s name will be specially glorious forever.150

150 150. See Zane C. Hodges, “ Revisited,” The Kerugma Message 4:1 (September 1995):2.

Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), .

C. The Conqueror's Recognition.

Note -

III. The Spirit's Edification of those Who Hear Him ().

Revelation 3:6 KJV 1900

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Conclusion:

May the Spirit move our hearts to conformity to Christ’s will, which is the will of the Father, and may we humbly confess our deadness of working in our own strength and renew our vigilance to watch and be sober against the wiles of the enemy seeking to devour and take our strength and set our goals to be the goals of Jesus Christ, not man, not in the flesh.