Sermon Tone Analysis

Dead Asleep

To this point we have accounted for the church whose leader is sold out to the world to the church whose members have sold out and we reach a church that has not heeded the words of the Lord.

A deeper look and it appears we are seeing a progression from one church to another.

This one hits home.

In typical fashion as I prepare a sermon I am directly impacted by the study.

The last three weeks are no different.

To know that we are called is not enough, to know that we are chosen is scarcely enough, but to know that we are wanted or desired leads me to this point, each of us will have to count the cost.

Some of us will count the cost and hide from our calling

Some of us will count the cost and put aside to do what we want to do first

Some of us will runaway from our calling in fear

Some of us will hear the call count the cost but will find ourselves distracted to the point of being too busy

STILL Some of us will hear and answer the call no matter the cost.

The implications are severe as we consider what it means for the church body.

Some congregations have been lulled to sleep their leadership is sold out, the congregation has been given over to the lowest bidder, failing to be awakened the church is in danger of losing everything… it isn’t fast asleep it is Dead Asleep.

Only in The Awakening Are We Clothed in White.

Churches with a great reputation but are DEAD

Note they are not given a commendation

Living a dualistic life… one foot in and one foot out

Challenges what some believe is the ability to not lose your faith

The unpardonable sin...Blaspheming the Holy Spirit

It is impossible for those who have been enlightened… and have fallen away… the loss of grace

Revelation of Christ

Revelation 3:1 (ESV)

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars...

Jesus presents Himself as the True Church

Return to Ephesus speaks of the nature of HIs role with the church.

The Church Belongs to Him

No Commendation for Passivity

Revelation 3:1 (ESV)

... “ ‘I know your works.

You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

Intimate Knowledge

Ephesus your works

Smyrna your tribulation

Pergamum your dwelling place

Thyatira your works

Sardis your works

Remaining letters from Thyatira on reference the work

conditions and reasons

Reputation

Dead.... Dead…

Many churches have this condition.

many members does not mean they are alive

they refuse to worship

they refuse the whole word of God

There are people who are slumbering and dont know their salvation is not assured.

Exhortation to Awaken

Awaken from Slumber

Importance in the Repetition

Warned of what happen if we stay asleep

the Church body asleep the robber has decimated it from the inside out

Leadership would not change

congregants would not listen

Its no longer the enemy it is the Lord Himself

They are so asleep they wont know but its the Lord who stand against them

Ephesus was warned of the removal Sardis is living the removal

Gal 1 tells us that we should not be swayed to believing a different Gospel… we cannot say we are awake if we are falling for an erred gospel this is why Jesus speaks so strongly against false teaching

Protection for the People

Even in the Judgment God Protects Those Who Love Him

These tells us that we should not be swayed to believing a different Gospel… we cannot say we are awake if we are falling for an erred gospel this is why Jesus speaks so strongly against false teaching

Worthy= high degree of comparable worth or value.

Promise of Being Clothed in White

We Cannot Dress ourselves in white HE does it… measured by their perseverance

These He will not remove their name from the book of life… what remains is just salvation

the inverse speaks of the rebellion in which people can lose their salvation

If your are found in this condition awaken and repent...

Draw on the church

in the very real present your work in the Holy Spirit is to hate the clothing stained by the flesh and to win others

some may only ever attain salvation but you were called to so much more.