The Church at Sardis

Introduction:

Sardis was liberated by Alexander the Great.

Goddess Artemus - goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and fertility.

Worship of gods and Caesar was central to economic growth of the community.

Sardis had largest Jewish synagogue outside of Israel.

You look alive, but you are dead.

You think you look ok, but you are not.

If you don’t repent, I will come as a thief in the night.

King Croesus - wealthiest king.

To protect his wealth built a massive fortification.

When Cyrus came through he couldn’t take the city.

City went under siege.

One night a soldier was gaurding the wall, his helmet fell down. He went down to a secret door and got his helmet.

Cyrus special forces went through the special door.

When they were safe, they were not.

This happened more than once. When the Persians seized the city, they noticed vultures circling. Dead bodies were being thrown over the wall. They saw it was unprotected and took the city.

Jesus reminds them, you are alive, you are dead, and in an hour you know not, I will come against you.

What was the problem?

I am the way, the truth, the life. The way of Jesus is right, and all others wrong.

This is why life was hard for Christians in a world that worshiped false gods.

In Sardis they decided, “Why don’t we just get along”. Let’s not separate from the world. Let’s just agree to disagree.