THE CHURCH THAT HAS DIED
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
In our study of the seven churches of Asia we have thus far studied:
In our study of the seven churches of Asia we have thus far studied:
Ephesus – The church that left her first love
Smyrna – The rich poor church
Pergamum – Where Satan’s throne was
Thyatira – A church moving forward
In Revelation 3:1-6 we have the fifth letter written to the seven churches of Asia.
Sardis was one of the oldest and at one time one of the most important cities in Asia Minor.
Sardis was one of the oldest and at one time one of the most important cities in Asia Minor.
But in 17 AD it was destroyed by an earthquake, and was never able to recover, and remained a third-rate city.
It had a prominent temple dedicated to the mother-goddess Cybele, and its worship involved the sins of foul and dark impurity.
Jesus describes Himself to the church in Sardis as “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” (3:1).
Jesus describes Himself to the church in Sardis as “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” (3:1).
The “seven stars” represent the angels of the seven churches as is seen in Revelation 1:20.
But what does “the seven Spirits of God” represent?
The number “seven” represents completeness
Thus, Jesus having “the seven Spirits of God” points to His having the Holy Spirit without measure (Jn. 3:34).
Jesus having the Spirit without measure enables Him to reveal God’s will and execute His judgment perfectly.
As in all of the other letters we have discussed, this letter contains a commendation, a condemnation, counsel, and a promise.
As in all of the other letters we have discussed, this letter contains a commendation, a condemnation, counsel, and a promise.
It is interesting to note that Jesus began the other letters with a commendation
Here, though, He begins with a condemnation
DISCUSSION
CONDEMNATION
CONDEMNATION
“I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead” (3:1b)
The Lord distinguishes here between the reputation of this congregation and its actual spiritual condition.
The Lord distinguishes here between the reputation of this congregation and its actual spiritual condition.
The church in Sardis had a good reputation for being a living and active church
But Jesus, Who sees all and knows all – declares Sardis to be dead
Sardis enjoyed a fine reputation as a model congregation – believed to be spiritually alive and active
Sardis enjoyed a fine reputation as a model congregation – believed to be spiritually alive and active
There are many congregations today who are like Sardis in that they enjoy a splendid reputation, but are virtually dead in the eyes of the Lord
Many congregations meet in fine buildings, their worship services attended well and well organized, and the members abstain from obvious sins of carnality
But the Lord knows that in the things that really matter – genuine commitment to God, unceasing prayer, love for God and man, zeal for good works – many are lacking
Some only have “a form of godliness” (2 Tim. 3:5)
Some only have “a form of godliness” (2 Tim. 3:5)
Many congregations live on their past laurels
Other have the appearance of a living and active church – but are dead
The church at Park Heights has developed a good reputation – but we must ask:
The church at Park Heights has developed a good reputation – but we must ask:
Is the reputation true? Are we as Paul said in...
2 Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men;
Or, do we only have a reputation, and are truly dead?
Remember...
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
COUNSEL
COUNSEL
2 Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.
The phrase “be thou watchful” reminds me of Paul’s words directed toward the spiritually dead in Ephesus…
The phrase “be thou watchful” reminds me of Paul’s words directed toward the spiritually dead in Ephesus…
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.
The Lord urges the Christians in Sardis to awake out of their spiritual lethargy and be watchful for their Christian responsibilities
15 (Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.)
38 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Not only were they to be watchful, but they were told to “establish the things which remain, which were ready to die” (v. 2)
Not only were they to be watchful, but they were told to “establish the things which remain, which were ready to die” (v. 2)
There still existed some spiritual life in them, but it was only holding on by a thread.
They needed to strengthen themselves and do it now!
The same holds true for us today...
1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain 2 (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):
Their basic fault, in the word of our Lord, was “I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.” (v. 2)
Their basic fault, in the word of our Lord, was “I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.” (v. 2)
The word “perfected” means to fulfill or to carry through to the end
The effort in the church in Sardis was spasmodic, being enthusiastic for a while, but it never lasted
This is true of many congregations today – being excited about a new work and then only to lose interest.
The Lord continues His counsel in...
The Lord continues His counsel in...
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep it, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
The Lord tells them to “remember” the zeal and love for God and truth that they once had
They were to “hold fast” the truth they had received
And they needed to “repent” - they needed to change their ways
When a local congregation becomes negligent in their Christian duties, as did Sardis, they need to “remember” the zeal they once had and “repent” - resolving never to let it slip again
The Lord gives a solemn warning - Revelation 3:3b
The Lord gives a solemn warning - Revelation 3:3b
“If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee”
Here we are informed of the horrible consequences of not being watchful
Our Lord spoke of this very truth in His earthly ministry…
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. 44 Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Paul declared …
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:
Beloved, the Lord is coming and we had better be ready!
COMMENDATION
COMMENDATION
4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.
Even in the church in Sardis that was filled with widespread lethargy, there were still a few who had remained faithful to the Lord
Even in the church in Sardis that was filled with widespread lethargy, there were still a few who had remained faithful to the Lord
The Lord did not overlook these brethren, but gave His seal of approval upon them
Where ever the Lord’s faithful disciples are, they can have the assurance that the Lord knows and approves of them - God notices faithfulness
The Lord describes these faithful brethren as those that “did not defiled their garments”
The Lord describes these faithful brethren as those that “did not defiled their garments”
All who obey the gospel have clean garments
11 And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.
But, we must keep our garments clean – keeping our selves “unspotted from the world” (Jam. 1:27).
How do we do this? …
7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we do this, the Lord will consider us “worthy” (v. 4)
Worthy of what?
Worthy of a home in heaven with the Lord
Once we have entered heaven we will “walk with the [Lord] in white” (v. 4), which signifies that we will live with the Lord where there will be no more defilement
PROMISE
PROMISE
5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Being “arrayed in white garments” is a symbol of purity (v. 5)
Being “arrayed in white garments” is a symbol of purity (v. 5)
In heaven there will be no stain of sin on the redeemed
21 who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.
We will forever be clothed with the brightness of Jesus
If we have kept our garments clean, the Lord promises, “I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life” (v. 5)
If we have kept our garments clean, the Lord promises, “I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life” (v. 5)
The keeps a register of His faith children
The Lord will not blot out the names of the faithful
The doctrine of “once saved always saved” is false
If we have kept our garments clean then the Lord will confess us before His Father as faithful and worthy to enter heaven
If we have kept our garments clean then the Lord will confess us before His Father as faithful and worthy to enter heaven
What a blessed promise!
What a blessed promise!
CONCLUSION
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.