Sardis - The Dead Church

Ancient Sardis, the capital of Lydia, was a most important city. It lay about fifty miles east of Ephesus at the junction of five main roads; so it was a center for trade. It was also a military center, for it was located on an almost inaccessible plateau. The acropolis of Sardis was about 1,500 feet above the main roads, and it formed an impregnable fortress.

The Temple of Artemis

The main religion in the city was the worship of Artemis, one of the “nature cults” that built on the idea of death and rebirth.

The Roman Gymnasium

The Synagogue—Jewish presence

The largest synagogue was uncovered at Sardis

Four stages of decline

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.

I. Christ’s Introduction of Himself

A. He that hath the Seven Spirits of God

Revelation 1:4 KJV 1900

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

1. Seven means perfection or completion

This is why the world was created in 6 days and God rested teh seventh when it was complete.

Looking at this church that is void of the Spirit of God, we are reminde dthat to be a church that s vibrant and effective that we must have Christ’s Spirit indwelling us and also controlling us, so we can do the works of God.

2. The church at Sardis lacked the characteristics of God’s Spirit

Isaiah 11:2 KJV 1900

And 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;

1) LORD—dependence on the Lord

2) WISDOM—practical obedience in every area of life, skill, experience

3) UNDERSTANDING— understanding, comprehension, discernment, righteous action

4) COUNSEL— advice, a plan. It sometimes may suggest the idea of a plot

5) MIGHT— strength, power, might.

6) KNOWLEDGE— learning, discernment, insight, and notion

7) FEAR OF THE LORD— This fear acknowledges God’s good intentions (Ex. 20:20). It will motivate and delight even the Messiah (Isa. 11:2, 3). This fear is produced by God’s Word (Ps. 119:38; Prov. 2:5) and makes a person receptive to wisdom and knowledge (Prov. 1:7; 9:10).

B. He that hath…the seven stars

Revelation 1:20 KJV 1900

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Stars are simply reflecting the light of the sun, as so should the pastors of these churches in relation to the light of Christ.

The pastors fo churches are not to be men that fill in a position,but they are gifts from Christ. He uses them to give His message to His people.

Ephesians 4:11–12 KJV 1900

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Christ is the one that controls the stars and deleivers teh message of the churches. The people must be carefulnot to impose their desires upon the pastors, causing him to follow teh people rather than Christ.

2 Timothy 4:2–3 KJV 1900

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Daniel 12:3 KJV 1900

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

III. Christ’s Admonition to the Church

A. I know thy works

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.

Our works are the evidence of where we are t as a church.

When we no longer preach the Gospel, baptize and teach sound doctrine.

Revelation 3:2 (KJV 1900)

for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

perfect —to be full

1. Christ knew They had a reputation in the world

“that thou hast a name that thou livest”

When people thought about their church, they thought what a great thing that church is. What great things they must be doing!

People have put a lotof stock in the reformation,but what it hS PRODUCED IS MORE OF THe SAME.

Proverbs 22:1 KJV 1900

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favour rather than silver and gold.

a. It was not a reputation of scriptural integrity like Ephesus

b. It was not a reputation of suffering like Pergamos

c. It was not a reputation of service like Thyatira

d. It could have been

Reputation of size of ministry

Reuptation of abundance

Repuatation of activity

Repuatation among the world

‘nothing could describe protestantism more accurately! As over aginst the Romish night and ignorance, she has enlightment and outward activity; the great ‘state’ churches,’ or ‘ denominations. with creeds and histories, costly churches,’ or denominations.’ universties and seminaries, boards, bureau of publication and propoganda, executers of rorganized activities, including home and foreigh missions, even lobby men to influence legistlation at court! You and I dare to compare the Church with no other model than the Holy Spirit gave at Penetecost and in Paul’s day! And compared to that-it has a name,but is dead (Newell)

“Nothing can be much sadder than vast congregations of people who are baptized, banded together as Christians, taking the ‘sacrament’ of the Lord’s Supper, zealous for church and christianity, and yet largely devoid of personal, saving faith in Christ—trusting in forms, ceremonies, and what some people call “birthright” membership rather than in new birth through the Word and the Spirit of God.” (H.A. Ironside)

What ever gave this church name was impressive to Christ, because Hehasno goodthing to say about this church. It was dead.

2. Christ knew that they were dead to God

It would be a sad thing to be dead to the Lord as a church and yet receive the accalades of men.

Clarence Sexton said, “the greatest failure is to succeed at something that is not the will of God.”

a. Man pleasing — We must be careful to not put too much weight in what men think of our church.

Matthew 23:27–28 KJV 1900

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Galatians 1:10 KJV 1900

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Luke 6:26 KJV 1900

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

b. Unregenerate church membership — We must be careful to preach the Gospel properly

2 Timothy 3:5 KJV 1900

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

c. Discipleship — We must be careful to follow Christ

Acts 20:27 KJV 1900

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

B. Be Watchful

watchful— to arise, arouse. To watch, to refrain from sleep. It was transferred in meaning from the physical to the moral religious sphere (Matt. 26:38, 40, 41). It denotes attention (Mark 13:34

This church had not been diligent and did not see the enemy come and sow the tares among the wheat.

Matthew 13:25 KJV 1900

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Illustration: Sardi had a fortress that was built upon a crop of mountain, and one wall was astraight cliff.It seemed so impregnable that they would never place guards on that wall. Twice the city was taken by the enemy scaling that wall

Cryrus in the 3rd century offered a great reward for anyone that found a way up the cliff of Sardi. One soldier watched diligently for fourteen days until one day he saw a soldier on the wall drop his helmet, and then later saw that soldier pick up the helmet at the bottom and deduced that there was an underground tunnel in the mountain.that night he took a band of soldier and followed the way that the soldier had come to pick up his helmet and found their way to the top and found the wall unguarded.

1. Be watchfull because our enemy is watchful

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2. Be watchful to continue strengthening your lives spiritually or you are already backsliding

3. Be watchful by admoniting one another, and exhorting one another

Romans 15:14 KJV 1900

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Hebrews 3:13 KJV 1900

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:25 KJV 1900

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

keep critical converasations in check. B ecarefulnot deepen teh bitterness of others, but teach them to forgive and forbear.

We must stay awake for our families, stay awake for our church to watch for evil among us. We mst be careful to watch that we do not get influenced by the enemy.

Psalm 127:1–2 KJV 1900

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows: For so he giveth his beloved sleep.

C. Strengthen the things which remain

strengthen— to stand. To set fast, to fix firmly

a. Churches must stand for truth

1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV 1900

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

b. Some still had some hope to get things right

remain — to leave, lack. Something remaining, the remaining ones

There was a remnant that knew that they needed to do better. There was remanant that desired to have God back in their church

It started with the preacher taking the words of Christ to admonish and preach to them the truth to set them up firmly s a living stone and pillar in the church.

c. We must be ready to die.

They were dead to the things of God, but the Lord tells them sto strengthen those that are ready to die to the world.

Galatians 6:14 KJV 1900

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Matthew 16:24–26 KJV 1900

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

D. Remember what you have received and heard

Remember — to remember, call to mind, bear in mind. To exercise memory, be mindful of

Received — To take in whatever manner.

There was nothing new that needed to be taught these Christians, they simply needed to do what they have already received and heard.

Weneed to get back to teh basics of Christianity and forsake some of the tibgs that are not profitable.

We must get back to sound doctrine, holy standards, sound ethics

They needed to remember the apostolic beginnings and the dcotrnes that were taught.

Jude 3 KJV 1900

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

It is not about teh Baptists or denominations, church fathers, groups of churches or even the fundamentalists. It is about the Scripture.

E. Hold fast and Repent

Hold fast — a warden, guard. To keep an eye on, watch, and hence to guard, keep, obey

Repent — to exercise the mind, think, comprehend. To repent, change the mind, relent. Theologically, it involves regret or sorrow, accompanied by a true change of heart toward God

2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV 1900

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

IV. Christ’s Warning

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.

This is not talking abut the rapture or second coming. It is speaking of the Lord judging his church at a time not expected.

He did this to Israel when they worshipped fals idol, with much warning.

He warns us as well, that He will come upon us as a thief, unexpected, silently, and secretly and because we are spritually unprepared we will not be prepared for his judgment.

V. Christ’s Promises

Revelation 3:4–6 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. 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.

A. Those that have not defiled their garments will walk with Christ in white

1. There is always a remnant of God’s people

Thought there are churches that are dead that seem big and powerful, dead because of compromise and not being a light with the true Gospel.

There is a remnant of God’s people as there always have that have not defiled theit lives by truning against the faith, but have held the faith and suffered for the faith.

2. They will walk in white, dressed in Chrsst’s righteounsess, not their own, because they have been regenerated.

B. THE BLESSING TO THE OVERCOMERS

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.

every person that is born again is an overcomer.

1 John 5:4–5 KJV 1900

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1. Overcomers will be clothed in white raiment, which represents righteousness

Revelation 19:7–8 KJV 1900

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

We know that the righteousness of saints is not our own good works, but the works of Christ imputed to us through faith.

Thisis why the bride wears white, symbolic of the righteousness that the union with Christ produces.

Philippians 3:9 KJV 1900

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Romans 3:25 KJV 1900

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

2. Overcomers and the book of life.

a. Overcomers will not be blotted out of the Book of Life.

“...and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life”

Philippians 4:3 KJV 1900

And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Hebrews 12:23 KJV 1900

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

b. Believers and unbelievers are written in the Book of Life from the beginning.

Psalm 69:21–29 KJV 1900

They gave me also gall for my meat; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Let their table become a snare before them: And that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; And make their loins continually to shake. Pour out thine indignation upon them, And let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. Let their habitation be desolate; And let none dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; And they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. Add iniquity unto their iniquity: And let them not come into thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous. But I am poor and sorrowful: Let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

The Lord is not willing that any should perish. Because the Lord crucified His own Son from the foundationof the world, all from the foundation had opportunity to be saved.

Hebrews 9:19–28 KJV 1900

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

1 Peter 1:18–21 KJV 1900

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

c. Unbelievers are blotted out of the Book based upon their refusal to receive Christ’s forgiveness.

Exodus 32:32–33 KJV 1900

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Moses identified himself with the sin of the people and offered himself a substitute to be blotted out in their stead, but the Lord had no intention of blotting Israel from the book. He would chastise his people and they would suffer as a result, but he would not send them to hell for their sin. The blood had already been applied to Israel . They were in need of forgiveness of this sin, and the Lord forgave them with consequence.

Romans 9:3 KJV 1900

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Those that are blotted out refused to repent at the reproof of their sin by the Holy Ghost

John 16:7–8 KJV 1900

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Mark 3:28–29 KJV 1900

Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

2 Peter 2:1 KJV 1900

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

d. According to God’s foreknowledge, the Lord did not write the names of those that would follow the antichrist in the Book of Life.

Revelation 13:6–9 KJV 1900

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Revelation 17:8 KJV 1900

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

e. The Book of life will be opened at the Great White Throne, and those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

When a person dies without Christ, they are blotted out of the Book of Life. Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life at teh Great White Throne Judgment are cast into the Lake of Fire.

Revelation 20:12 KJV 1900

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:15 KJV 1900

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

f. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter into God’s Holy City.

Revelation 21:27 KJV 1900

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

g. Those that purposely seek to corrupt God’s Word will have their part taken away out of the Book of Life.

Revelation 22:19 KJV 1900

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

After all is done, the Book will be the Lamb’s Book of Life, because it will only have teh names of those that are truly saved.