THE WALKING DEAD CHRISTIAN
Notes
Transcript
MAIN TEXT
MAIN TEXT
“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. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 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. 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. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
»Escribe esta carta al ángel de la iglesia de Sardis. Este es el mensaje de aquél que tiene el Espíritu de Dios de siete aspectos y las siete estrellas:
»Yo sé todo lo que haces y que tienes la fama de estar vivo, pero estás muerto. ¡Despierta! Fortalece lo poco que te queda, porque hasta lo que queda está a punto de morir. Veo que tus acciones no cumplen con los requisitos de mi Dios. Vuelve a lo que escuchaste y creíste al principio, y retenlo con firmeza. Arrepiéntete y regresa a mí. Si no despiertas, vendré a ti de repente, cuando menos lo esperes, como lo hace un ladrón.
»Sin embargo, hay algunos en la iglesia de Sardis que no se han manchado la ropa con maldad. Ellos caminarán conmigo vestidos de blanco, porque son dignos. Todos los que salgan vencedores serán vestidos de blanco. Nunca borraré sus nombres del libro de la vida, sino que anunciaré delante de mi Padre y de sus ángeles que ellos me pertenecen.
»Todo el que tenga oídos para oír debe escuchar al Espíritu y entender lo que él dice a las iglesias.
INTRO
INTRO
MAP 7 CHURCHES ASIA MINOR - MODERN-DAY TURKEY
MAP 7 CHURCHES ASIA MINOR - MODERN-DAY TURKEY
Before anything, we need to know a little about the City of Sardis.
Sardis was the capital city of Lydian Empire. It was founded about 1,200 BC.
Sardis was located about 30 miles southeast of Thyatira, another city whose church also received a letter from Jesus, about 50 miles east of Smyrna. And actually this was a city that was divided into two parts. One part was a fortress on top of a magnificent mountain and the other was the sprawling community where most of the people lived that existed about 1500 feet below in a very fertile valley. In fact, in the first century AD, when this letter was written, most all of the agricultural products were raised and sold down in the valley, not up on the mountain. And this was where most of their industries existed, especially woolen industries, linen and textile mills, and they had quite a jewelry industry as well.
HUGE CEMETERY
This wealth was exemplified in huge burial mounds built by Lydian kings about five miles north of Sardis. The largest of the tombs is 1,184 feet in circumference and 230 feet high—only slightly smaller in volume than the largest Egyptian pyramid
· The original city sat on the top of a 1,500 foot high plateau. There was one narrow road leading into the city. The other sides of the plateau were just steep cliffs. This made the city very safe and nearly impenetrable by invading armies.
With regard to religion the people of Sardis were devoted primarily to the worship of the mother goddess Cybele, elsewhere known as Artemis or Diana. You will recall they worshipped this goddess especially in Ephesus. This worship was exceedingly vile. The very worst kinds of idolatry took place in the festivals in her honor. It included the darkest kinds of sexual orgies and many other demonic abominations. But a with all forms of paganism, Satanic deceptions permeated many other kinds of false worship that existed there in that day.
According to Robert Thomas, a prominent historian and theologian we understand, quote, “Pagan religions throughout the area attributed healing power to their deities, but in Sardis special emphasis focused on the power to restore life to the dead. This special power was connected with a hot springs about two miles from the city.
· Sardis was the home of Aesop, who’s fables we all heard as children.
· Gold and silver coins were first minted here.
· The city of Sardis was famous for the industries that operated there. Carpet, wool and dyed cloth were their primary products. It is said that the art of dyeing was invented at Sardis.
· At one time, Sardis had been one of the greatest cities in the world. It reached its zenith under King Croesus. King Croesus and Sardis were famed around the world for their wealth. In that part of the world, it is still common to hear the phrase, “As wealthy as Croesus”.
The Pactolus River used to be rich in gold-bearing sand.
· While Sardis reached its zenith under Croesus, it also fell under his reign. He and the people of the city became complacent in their wealth, their power and their city’s apparent invincibility. When that region where Sardis was located came under attack by Cyrus the Persian, King Croesus and his people retreated to their city, believing they were safe. One night, one of the Persian soldiers saw a Sardinian soldier drop his helmet over the wall of the city. He watched as that soldier followed a hidden path down the side of the mountain to retrieve his helmet. When nightfall came, Cyrus and his troops followed the hidden path up the side of the mountain, entered the city while the guards slept and conquered Sardis.
· Sardis regained some of its former wealth under the reign of Alexander the Great, but was invaded and defeated by Antiochus the Great, who also entered the city at night while the guards slept.
· When the Romans came, Sardis was still a wealthy, powerful city, but it was just a shell of its former self. By John’s day, Sardis was just a shell of what it had been. The people had grown lazy, degenerate, immoral and complacent. Sardis was dying through apathy and indifference.
· The city was proud of its past; it was proud of its reputation. But, its reputation was all it had left. For all intents and purposes, the city of Sardis was dead, even while it lived.
Several times armies had tried to overthrow it but were unable to do so. But twice in its history it had fallen to foreign assault, once by the Persians, and once by the Greeks, and both victories were achieved by stealth. Sardis was so confident it could not be overcome that it failed to guard its walls adequately. In the dead of the night a band of brave soldiers climbed up the sides of the ravine and entered an unwatched gate and overthrew the city. Thus, Sardis was a city characterized by a complacent spirit.
We have no information about the founding of the church in Sardis. It was probably founded about 40 years earlier. You will recall when Priscilla and Aquila and the apostle Paul came to Ephesus, no doubt the word spread to Sardis and a church was formed, but we really don’t know.
The church in Sardis is the least attractive of the seven churches to whom these letters are written. Our Lord finds nothing to commend about it.
The church in Sardis is the least attractive of the seven churches to whom these letters are written. Our Lord finds nothing to commend about it.
THEREFORE, BASED UPON THE MESSAGE OF THE LORD TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS, OUR THEME FOR TODAY IS:
THE WALKING DEAD CHRISTIAN
THE WALKING DEAD CHRISTIAN
LA PRIMERA IGLESIA DE ZOMBIES DE SARDIS
LA PRIMERA IGLESIA DE ZOMBIES DE SARDIS
(WE WILL DIVIDE THE STUDY IN 2 PARTS: THE DIAGNOSIS / THE PRESCRIPTION)
(WE WILL DIVIDE THE STUDY IN 2 PARTS: THE DIAGNOSIS / THE PRESCRIPTION)
A. THE DIAGNOSIS/AUTOPSY
A. THE DIAGNOSIS/AUTOPSY
Let’s remember that this was the Letter #5 amongst the 7 Letters sent to Asia Minor
JESUS STARTS INTRODUCING HIMSELF:
“These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God...”
(If we pay attention, that was the very clue of what they really needed)
In order to understand the “7 SPIRITS OF GOD”, we have to come back 700 years:
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
y reposará sobre él el espíritu de Jehová:
espíritu de sabiduría y de inteligencia,
espíritu de consejo y de poder,
espíritu de conocimiento y de temor de Jehová.
Let’s start the diagnosis of the Great Physician:
Let’s start the diagnosis of the Great Physician:
1. “I KNOW YOUR WORKS”
1. “I KNOW YOUR WORKS”
Jesus said that to every single one of the churches! It was not a mere formality, He meant it!!
The letters to the Seven Churches are true for today’s church!
The Bible is clear that God knows EVERYTHING, WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE A CREATOR THAT KNOWS IT ALL!
He knows even the difference between reputation and character.
2. “YOU HAVE A NAME”
2. “YOU HAVE A NAME”
NAME - This is where we get the expression “nominal believer”;
REPUTATION - People like to have “a name”, a halo of holiness.
The Church in Sardis indeed had a name, but nothing more, it was “fake news”
The Apostle Paul warns us about this “appearance”...
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
que tendrán apariencia de piedad, pero negarán la eficacia de ella. A esos, evítalos.
THE CHURCH IN SARDIS COULD NOT CONFRONT THE SINS OF THE CITY ANY LONGER - THEY RELIED IN PAST SUCCESSES, THEY LIVED A FALSE CHRISTIANITY;
In other words, they were like Jesus described:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
»¡Ay de vosotros, escribas y fariseos, hipócritas!, porque sois semejantes a sepulcros blanqueados, que por fuera, a la verdad, se muestran hermosos, pero por dentro están llenos de huesos de muertos y de toda inmundicia.
We can fool men, but God is not impressed with appearances, let’s remember when David was chosen:
We can fool men, but God is not impressed with appearances, let’s remember when David was chosen:
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.”
Pero Jehová respondió a Samuel:
—No mires a su parecer, ni a lo grande de su estatura, porque yo lo desecho; porque Jehová no mira lo que mira el hombre, pues el hombre mira lo que está delante de sus ojos, pero Jehová mira el corazón.
Yes, they had a NAME, but the truth was...
Yes, they had a NAME, but the truth was...
3. “YOU ARE DEAD”
3. “YOU ARE DEAD”
Wow!! What a shocking statement coming from the Creator of all things!!
ILLUSTRATION
ILLUSTRATION
MUSEU DE CERA HOLLYWOOD - GEORGE CLOONEY - (PHOTOS, INTERACTION)
ENGLAND - BIRTH PLACE OF GREAT REVIVALS - SINCE 1974, 85 CHURCHES CLOSED, EVERY YEAR!
CHURCHES IN SCOTLAND, WHERE JOHN KNOX PREACHED REFORMATION, ARE DYING FASTER THAN YOU CAN COUNT: SALOONS, PUBS, NIGHTCLUBS, APARTMENTS
Dr. William Barclay has said: "A church is in danger of death when it begins to worship its own past; when it is more concerned with forms than with life; when it loves systems more than it loves Jesus; when it is more concerned with material than it is with spiritual things." This church in Sardis was so devoid of life that it actually had no struggles going on within it. Notice the difference between it and the other churches. There are no Jewish accusers of this church even though there was a large colony of Jews in the city of Sardis. They ignored the church, or perhaps did not even know of its existence. There were no false apostles here. There were no domineering Nicolaitans who needed to be guarded against. There were no female seducers, as at Thyatira.
There was nothing going on in Sardis! IT WAS A MORGUE, we could easily call it “THE First Zombie Church of Sardis”!
We see a similar situation in an episode during the ministry of Jesus:
We see a similar situation in an episode during the ministry of Jesus:
Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
Por la mañana, volviendo a la ciudad, tuvo hambre. Viendo una higuera cerca del camino, se acercó, pero no halló nada en ella, sino hojas solamente, y le dijo:
—¡Nunca jamás nazca de ti fruto!
Y al instante la higuera se secó.
SAMSON: “HE DIDN’T KNOW THAT THE LORD HAD DEPARTED FROM HIM”
The church in Sardis had become a thermometer that registered the temperature of the city instead of a thermostat that changed the temperature of the city.
The church in Sardis had become a thermometer that registered the temperature of the city instead of a thermostat that changed the temperature of the city.
Vance Havner once commented that ministries often begin with a man who has a vision (Mission). That vision is captured by others and becomes a Movement. As the movement gains followers and momentum, it becomes a Machine. After a while, people forget all about the vision and what was once a movement becomes nothing more than a Monument to a man and a glorious past.
Vance Havner once commented that ministries often begin with a man who has a vision (Mission). That vision is captured by others and becomes a Movement. As the movement gains followers and momentum, it becomes a Machine. After a while, people forget all about the vision and what was once a movement becomes nothing more than a Monument to a man and a glorious past.
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Así también vosotros consideraos muertos al pecado, pero vivos para Dios en Cristo Jesús, Señor nuestro.
Now that we have seen the diagnosis, let’s take a look on the prescription Jesus gave them:
Now that we have seen the diagnosis, let’s take a look on the prescription Jesus gave them:
B. THE PRESCRIPTION
B. THE PRESCRIPTION
Jesus gave the prescription in 5 doses...
1. “BE WATCHFUL”
1. “BE WATCHFUL”
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
Y esto, conociendo el tiempo, que es ya hora de levantarnos del sueño, porque ahora está más cerca de nosotros nuestra salvación que cuando creímos.
A church that is dying or dead needs to awaken from its condition. These words in Greek are “staccato” commands, sharp words, like a slap in the face, designed to stimulate, to wake up. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul says,
"Wake up, oh sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you," (Ephesians 5:14 NIV).
2. “STRENGTHEN THE REMAINING THINGS”
2. “STRENGTHEN THE REMAINING THINGS”
Verb “stabilize” used by Paul when REvisiting churches;
What are the remaining things that need to be perfected?
These “things” were “ready to die”!
It’s common sense that there are 4 THINGS every LIVING ORGANISM needs:
1. CELLS - 2. FOOD - 3. GROW - 4. REPRODUCE
Notice that “their works were not perfect “before God”, not before men! For men, they were alive;
EXAMPLE OF SAMUEL AND DAVID WHEN ANOINTING THE NEW KING OF ISRAEL:
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.”
Pero Jehová respondió a Samuel:
—No mires a su parecer, ni a lo grande de su estatura, porque yo lo desecho; porque Jehová no mira lo que mira el hombre, pues el hombre mira lo que está delante de sus ojos, pero Jehová mira el corazón.
But Sardis had not only things to be strengthened, but also “a few” names who had not defiled their garments” - (v.4)
But Sardis had not only things to be strengthened, but also “a few” names who had not defiled their garments” - (v.4)
The Lord will always separate a few (Elijah and the 7000);
There was a remnant, there was hope!
3. “REMEMBER”
3. “REMEMBER”
In the first letter, to the Church in Ephesus, Jesus had a similar advice “remember where you have fallen”… here He says “remember how you have received the message of the Gospel”.
They needed to remember what they heard; to obey it, and to repent. At this particular point the New International Version, is not accurate. It says, "Remember, therefore, what you have received," but, in Greek it is not what but how - "how you have received." What they heard, of course, was the gospel. They had heard the message of Jesus: his crucifixion on behalf of sinners, of his resurrection, of his availability to human beings by the Spirit to strengthen them and impart to them his own righteous life and position. They had heard all that, but the important thing was, how did it come to you? "Remember how you received and heard this." What he is referring to is the ministry of the Spirit. Remember, he is the One who holds the seven spirits. When these people had first heard the gospel they had heard it by the Spirit. The Word came to them in the power of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit can remember not only how we believed, but also where we failed.
The Holy Spirit can remember not only how we believed, but also where we failed.
4. “HOLD FAST”
4. “HOLD FAST”
Hold WHAT? The message of salvation they received!
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
Por tanto, de la manera que habéis recibido al Señor Jesucristo, andad en él,
Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
Por lo demás, hermanos, os rogamos y exhortamos en el Señor Jesús que, de la manera que aprendisteis de nosotros cómo os conviene conduciros y agradar a Dios, así abundéis más y más.
Retain, keep the word you have received as a treasure. In the parable of the sower, the good hearer is the one who “kept what he received”.
“REPENT”
“REPENT”
We must understand once again the real meaning of repentance. This word has become very popular nowadays, but also very shallow. The Bible reminds us the real meaning of repentance:
He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
El que oculta sus pecados no prosperará,
pero el que los confiesa y se aparta de ellos alcanzará misericordia.
Even with all the problems in Sardis, there was still a chance for repentance!
But true repentance will come - always and only, with abandoning of sin.
But true repentance will come - always and only, with abandoning of sin.
FINAL APPLICATIONS
FINAL APPLICATIONS
Verses 4 and 5 talk about WHITE GARMENTS/CLOTHES
Verses 4 and 5 talk about WHITE GARMENTS/CLOTHES
Perhaps this is also a reference to a common practice among the heathen there in Sardis that worshipped Cybele and Attis. They had a ceremony whereby worshipers clothed in white garments would place themselves under a bull slain over them and bathe in its blood thinking that the life force of the bull would rejuvenate them. Obviously that would stain their garments significantly.
The New American Commentary: Revelation 5. To Sardis (3:1–6)
Sardis itself was the center of the dyeing industry; and hence, the clothing industry throughout Lydia was prominent. Soiled garments would be noticed by a citizen of Sardis
Why is it so important talking about clothes?? Because white has to do with character and holiness, because without the proper clothing you will NOT enter the Kingdom of God!
Why is it so important talking about clothes?? Because white has to do with character and holiness, because without the proper clothing you will NOT enter the Kingdom of God!
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Seguid la paz con todos y la santidad, sin la cual nadie verá al Señor.
Let your garments always be white,
And let your head lack no oil.
Que en todo tiempo sean blancos tus vestidos
y nunca falte perfume sobre tu cabeza.
And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Y a ella se le ha concedido
que se vista de lino fino,
limpio y resplandeciente
(pues el lino fino significa las acciones justas de los santos)».
Then He says something interesting. “And I will not erase his name from the book of life.” What a wonderful promise. And, frankly, the Bible never suggests that a true believer could lose his salvation, a position that is clearly refuted in the promise that the Lord gives in this passage. “I will not erase his name from the book of life.”
Then He says something interesting. “And I will not erase his name from the book of life.” What a wonderful promise. And, frankly, the Bible never suggests that a true believer could lose his salvation, a position that is clearly refuted in the promise that the Lord gives in this passage. “I will not erase his name from the book of life.”
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament 3:1–6—Oracle against the Church of Sardis
All Greek and Roman cities had official rolls of citizens, to which new citizens could be added and from which expelled citizens would be removed
Now, some will foolishly argue on the basis of Exodus 32:33 that you can have your name erased, and the context there was where the Lord told Moses that, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”[32] And they say, “See, right there. It can happen.” But you must understand, that “book” in Exodus is referring to the book of the living, the record of those who are alive, a census registry, “the book of life” as we read in Psalm 69:28. This is where untimely or premature deaths would constitute being blotted out of the record of that book. In fact, the context in Exodus was that of Moses having such love for his kinsmen that he was willing to offer up his own life rather than for God to judge his people for their idolatry of the golden calf.
Now, some will foolishly argue on the basis of Exodus 32:33 that you can have your name erased, and the context there was where the Lord told Moses that, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”[32] And they say, “See, right there. It can happen.” But you must understand, that “book” in Exodus is referring to the book of the living, the record of those who are alive, a census registry, “the book of life” as we read in Psalm 69:28. This is where untimely or premature deaths would constitute being blotted out of the record of that book. In fact, the context in Exodus was that of Moses having such love for his kinsmen that he was willing to offer up his own life rather than for God to judge his people for their idolatry of the golden calf.
And in verse 32 of that text he says, “Forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Thy book which Thou hast written!”
And in verse 32 of that text he says, “Forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Thy book which Thou hast written!”
But, as you will recall, the Lord would not permit that and instead He said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” And, as the story goes on the Lord killed the idolaters.
But, as you will recall, the Lord would not permit that and instead He said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” And, as the story goes on the Lord killed the idolaters.
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament 3:1–6—Oracle against the Church of Sardis
Ramsay pointed out that the two churches condemned most harshly belong to the only two cities of the seven that are completely uninhabited in modern times, Sardis and Laodicea
Let’s put our church, our own life under perspective here: The messenger has arrived at this church in Sardis. He has received it from the apostle John on the isle of Patmos with the others. Undoubtedly he has already read it, all of the Revelation, and he is probably trembling as he prepares to read it to his congregation...
Let’s put our church, our own life under perspective here: The messenger has arrived at this church in Sardis. He has received it from the apostle John on the isle of Patmos with the others. Undoubtedly he has already read it, all of the Revelation, and he is probably trembling as he prepares to read it to his congregation...
Now, if the Lord Himself came today with a message for us… WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT YOU WOULD RECEIVE???
Now, if the Lord Himself came today with a message for us… WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT YOU WOULD RECEIVE???
ILLUSTRATION
ILLUSTRATION
(PASTOR WHO CAME TO WORK IN A “DEAD CHURCH” AND ANNOUNCED ITS FUNERAL - BUT WHEN PEOPLE CAME AND LOOKED INTO THE COFFIN, THERE WAS A SURPRISE...)
DO YOU FEEL YOU BELONG TO ONE OF THESE 2 GROUPS TODAY??
DO YOU FEEL YOU BELONG TO ONE OF THESE 2 GROUPS TODAY??
ARE YOU DEAD, OR READY TO DIE?
ARE YOU DEAD, OR READY TO DIE?
But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Pero sabed esto, que si el padre de familia supiera a qué hora el ladrón habría de venir, velaría y no lo dejaría entrar en su casa. Por tanto, también vosotros estad preparados, porque el Hijo del hombre vendrá a la hora que no pensáis.
In CONCLUSION, if you have a name that you’re alive, but you are dead, these are the 5 steps the Lord recommends:
Wake up from your spiritual death;
Strengthen the remaining things that are about to die;
Hold fast to the message of salvation you received;
Remember the One Who saved you;
Repent and abandon sin.
Let’s pray.
Let’s pray.