185; 7 Churches; Sardis; Looks Can Be Deceiving

Intro

Pete Maravich

In college he averaged 44 p.p.g., before the advent of the three-point line.

Hard life-turned to Christ.

Playing pick-up game at church with James Dobson. No one knew that he was born with a rare heart defect. Suddenly, he collapsed and died in Dr. Dobson’s arms. He was 40 years old. His last words were, “I feel really great.”

He looked great and felt great but there was something terribly wrong. That seems to be the case at the small church in Sardis. From all appearances, everything was fine.

Remember, we’re looking at Jesus’ letters to churches. This is 5 of 7.

Sardis (show map)

The town was incredibly wealthy.

First town in history to mint silver and gold coins

Wealthy.

No persecution. That’s not a good thing.

Why? When there is persecution you can’t do all the extra stuff - all you have the ability to do is; love God, worship in simple ways, and love your neighbors. You’re forced to rely on God for everything. The church always grows in persecution.

Citizen registry. You don’t want your name taken out of the book.

1500 ft cliff on three sides. It sure looked like they were safe.

Large necropolis

Town History, twice sacked. Better wake up.

Citizen

Large necropolis. They had a thing about death.

What will Jesus say to them? I want to give a word of warning. Jesus is harsh in this text. He is speaking to a specific church in a specific place and time. So why would we study it? Sports illustration.

Revelation 3:1 NIV

1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

What’s Jesus holding?

Seven Spirits or seven-fold Spirit = Holy Spirit

Seven stars = angels assigned to the churches.

Revelation 2:2–4 NIV

2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

Jesus is holding everything the church at Sardis needs to be healthy and hopeful. He is holding diving help. Make no mistake about it. Jesus is speaking to a very troubled church.

Looks can be deceiving. Jesus gives the prognosis

Looks can be deceiving. Jesus gives the prognosis

They have a reputation of being alive but the reality is, they are dead. I thought about calling this the “church of the living dead,” or “zombie church,” or “when Jesus closes the church doors.”

They look healthy on the outside but something is deathly wrong.

Activity doesn’t equate to good health. Another program, another outreach, another widget, another service; doesn’t necessarily mean we’re doing the right thing. Sometimes business is an easy way to avoid the difficult things we should be doing.

I have a friend that works at a church that has a program for everything.

If we want to see a church revitalize; we need to grow in our love of God and love of our neighbors.

Love God - Love your neighbors

Sardis was dead and what wasn’t dead was dying. What are some of the warning signs a church is dead or dying?

Three tell-tale symptoms:

First, when a church is more impressed by the struggles of the neighborhood than they are by the majesty of Jesus; it’s gone terminal.

I know how this story ends - there is no reason for fear. Pessimism is sin and has no business in the church.

Second, when the Word of God becomes anything other than the Word of God; grab the defibrillator.

When we stop being hopeful, when we want to re-write the rules, when we stop trusting this book, we’ll fall for anything and we’ll stand for nothing. Scripture has to be the centerpiece of the church.

Third, when the people stop talking to those in their spheres of influence; listen for the death-rattle.

Why would we stop sharing the gospel with…? The answer is simple, we just don’t think it will really do what it claims it will do.

Can I meddle for a second? Do any of those… We can’t begin to heal until we recognize the problem.

Transition: Jesus moves from prognosis to treatment plan.

LOUD!

Revelation 3:2–3 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. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Treatment plan for a terminal church:

Wake up - stop the coasting! Live with purpose. Time is something to be stewarded. Every Christian is called. We believe in the priesthood of all believers! See .

Strengthen what survives. The verb means “to stand it on its feet.” The church as a whole was dead but a little life is hanging on. They don’t have much time. THEY MUST BE WILLING TO ADRESS THE ISSUES.

“For I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.” Jesus is saying; what your doing isn’t fit to be in the presence of God. People that should be living in the life of grace, are frauds. They’re spiritual zombies.

Three-fold command: Remember-Hold it fast-Repent. Go back to the basics - keep the main things the main things. It’s going to require a change.

They had been taught, they used to share the gospel. Now they’re just comfortable.

Love the hurting

Grow in Christ

Love the hurting

Grow in Christ

Jesus wants to be clear. Wayne S illustration.

Hold it fast. k

If you don’t wake up, I will come like a thief.

If the owner of the house had known...

This may be a different look at Jesus than you’re accustomed to. Doug H. conversation - still rattled.

Revelation 3:4–6 NIV

4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The King examines his church and sees those who belong to him. They will walk with Jesus. If others will wake up, they can join them as well.

Let’s put some tires on this thing:

That’s who I want to be. I want my name in permanent ink. I want Jesus to acknowledge me before God the Father and the angels. Let’s make this personal.

In the original language there is a repetition of the word “name”:

Let’s put some tires on this thing

V.1 You have a name of being alive, but you’re dead.

V. 4 You have a few names in Sardis that are faithful.

V. 5 I will never blot out that name. I will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

If you look at it carefully, the idea of name speaks of our identity in Jesus and our “Christ-like character.” (see G.K. Beale)

We are Christians - we bear his name. Paul says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors.” .

It really comes down to the way we bear that name: living or dead.

Let me close by asking some important questions.

Is the name of Christ, (his character, ways, purpose) reflected in your life, both inside and outside of this building?

Do you recognize that you have a specific and important role in Jesus’ work? That role isn’t simply relegated to Sundays, but throughout the week as well.

Do you recognize that God places you in scenarios so that you can demonstrate the new life he provides? It happens in our families, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.

Do you recognize that time is a precious commodity? Love now, have the conversation now, reflect Jesus now; live with purpose.

If not, it may be that Jesus looks at us and says, “You look healthy, but looks can be deceiving.”

Sardis is no longer a town.

On the other hand, if his name is cherished in our lives, he says that we will walk with him...