The Seven Churches of Asia Sardis Revelation 3:1-6 NT Church 2017-18

Letters to the churches 7 letters to 7 congregations – symbolic of the church as a whole. Common conditions found in every church Thus we can ask, “How does this apply to us?” Sardis

Letters to the churches Ephesus – Left their first love Smyrna – Persecuted (poor-rich) Pergamos – Compromise (tolerating) Thyatira– Corrupt (immorality) Sardis – Dead (or dying) Philadelphia – An open door Laodicea – lukewarm (rich-poor) Sardis

Located 28 miles southeast of Thyatira. The city of Sardis Located 28 miles southeast of Thyatira. Located at the junction of 5 different roads leading to all different places in the empire. Formerly, the capital of Lydia Sardis

The city of Sardis A very old city. Built strategically buttressed against the Tmolus Mountains. Conquering seemed impossible and lead to a complacent & arrogant attitude. The city fell at least twice to Cyrus (ca 549 BC) and Antiochus (218 BC) Sardis

Important to Rome. An industrial city and a judicial town. The city of Sardis The city was weak militarily and known for its effeminate nature and excessive immorality. Severely damaged by an earthquake in 17 AD and rebuilt with the help of Tiberius Important to Rome. An industrial city and a judicial town. Sardis

A wealthy city that was self-satisfied and increasingly more sensual The city of Sardis A center of trade. Known to be first to strike (mint) gold and silver coins. Posperity from wool & dyes, fertile soil and even panning for gold. A wealthy city that was self-satisfied and increasingly more sensual Sardis

The city of Sardis Worshipped many gods with an acropolis at the top edge of the mountain range. Temple to Artemis and Cybele (goddess of fertility). Probably not very antagonistic to Christians (but the Jews were). Not a center of Caesar worship. A church existed here, influenced by its surrounding. Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 Christ identified He who has the 7 Spirits of God and the 7 stars He who was in the midst of them Revelation 1:20, 5:6 John 6:63 Sardis Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 Condemnations – begins with rebuke (uncharacteristic) “I know your works” You have a name that you are alive – name indicates reputation. We need a good reputation. BUT, we need to be more concerned with God than what man thinks of us. Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead What does it mean to be dead spiritually? Individuals – Ephesians 2:1-3, 12 A congregation would be one who has had its candlestick removed and no longer recognized by our Lord. Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead Perhaps Smyrna was known by other congregations (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7, Romans 1:8) Known for standing for truth, numerous good works. Perhaps helping others with benevolence or supporting preachers But that was in the past! Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 Why do churches die? Worldliness Satisfied with our current state We dwell on the past, and quit looking forward Prejudice – socio/economical We let down our guard We do nothing! We reject Jesus and His authority OFTEN, many factors! Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 I have not found your works perfect before God They had defiled garments An expression pointing toward incompleteness (NASB – completed) Likely, they were more affluent and allowed greater worldly influences Only 2 churches do NOT mention outside troubles! Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 Commendations A name that you are alive – IF you can call this a positive in this circumstance Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 Commendations You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments – there was a remnant that was faithful. Individual judgments! No doctrinal error mentioned The faithful are trying to motivate the congregation but with little success Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 Call to action Watch – or be caught unprepared! The first step toward correction is to wake up. Ephesians 5:15-17 1 Corinthians 16:13 Matthew 15:13-14, 2 Corinthians 4:4 – don’t let “the god of this age” blind you Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 Call to action Strengthen the things that remain – you can almost always find something good START THERE! Maybe it was time to begin listening to that faithful remnant Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 Call to action Remember – look to the time when you were faithful Jeremiah 6:16 - A reference to returning to God’s pattern (not necessarily out dated methods or resources) Examine yourselves – 2 Corinthians 13:5, Luke 15:17 Hebrews 10:32, Revelation 2:5 Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 Call to action Hold fast – don’t let go of what matters (2:13, 25) Colossians 1:23 – not moved away from the hope of the gospel Repent – 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 The Promise He who overcomes - individuals They shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy Walk with me – 1 John 1:5-8 White is purity (Revelation 7:14) Colossians 1:23 – not moved away from the hope of the gospel Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 The Promise Clothed in white garments I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life The names of those saved – Philippians 4:3, Revelation 20:12 & 15, 21:27 Sardis

The Letter to Sardis – 3:1-6 The Promise I will confess him before My Father and the angels – Matthew 10:32-33 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches Sardis

Does this apply to us? 3:1-6 A congregation with a rich history BUT that was in the past! NOW they are drifting and dwindling. No “new blood” coming in Not adequately grounding each other or preparing them to challenge the errors they are facing today Not challenging each other to greater growth spiritually Sardis

Does this apply to us? 3:1-6 Perhaps its membership is living comfortably. There is little resistance internally or externally – BECAUSE we pose no threat! There is concern that they are dwindling, BUT they refuse to open their eyes to find out why No real enthusiasm for the Lord Sardis

With each year, more and more move away, fall away or pass away. Does this apply to us? 3:1-6 With each year, more and more move away, fall away or pass away. Those remaining are melancholy and just waiting for the last one to die and shut the doors There is a need for a REAL revival! Sardis

We CANNOT live in the past and expect to endure Does this apply to us? 3:1-6 We CANNOT live in the past and expect to endure We have to adapt (without compromising God’s word) We must take measures to ensure future generations are prepared and grounded in the truth! Unless we do something we WILL die! Sardis

Are we like the church at Sardis?