Seven Churches of Asia The Church at Sardis: Church With a False Reputation

Sardis One of the wealthiest cities in the world in the 6 th century B.C.

Sardis Had a very large gymnasium, which attests to its being a city of learning and skill. (

Sardis (gymnasium) ( Swimming pool of the gymnasium

Sardis had Temple of Artimes (Diana) beautiful landscape (

Sardis (Pactolus River) Interesting Historical Note: Sardis is the birthplace of modern money (coinage) (

The Text “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” Revelation 3:1

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.” The Text Revelation 3:2

“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” The Text Revelation 3:3

“You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” The Text Revelation 3:4

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” The Text Revelation 3:5, 6

Background Capital of Mysia. 50 miles east of Smyrna. 70 miles southeast of Pergamos Great commercial city. Strong military position. The city where production of money coins began. Had prominent temples.

Author Described “Seven spirits of God.” “Seven stars.” –Revelation 3:1 Spirit in “full measure.” –John 3:34 –Colossians 2:9 Had perfect insight into their problems.

Words of Condemnation “I know thy works.” No commendations for this church. Had a name that they were alive, but they were dead! Living dead church! – 1 Timothy 5:6 “But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.”

“Reputation versus character.” God’s view is crystal clear. God sees in the heart. He knows motives and true character. – 1 Samuel 16:7 “…Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Words of Condemnation

A Church’s Reputation… Large membership? Sound teaching? Different from other congregations? Worship service is appealing to others? Has impressive programs? Is it on the march for God, or men? –John 4:24

The size of the membership, the largeness of the building, and the dynamics of the preacher do not make a church alive in the sight of Jesus! Observation:

Words of Condemnation “Works not perfect before God.” Begun but not finished. Not completed. Abandoned God’s work. –Luke 14:28-30 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him.”

“Works not perfect before God.” Begun but not finished. Not completed. Abandoned God’s work. –2 Corinthians 8:10-12 “…that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” Words of Condemnation

“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” Words of Condemnation “Works not perfect before God.” Begun but not finished. Not completed. Abandoned God’s work. –2 Peter 2:22

“A few had not defiled their garments.” A “few,” but the majority was condemned. Unrighteous conduct. Character of the city? – Revelation 19:8 “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Words of Condemnation

Divine and Defined Remedy “Be watchful. ” Dead may not be hopelessly lost! God holds out hope for those who seek it. Key thought here! – 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”

Christians Must Be Watchful! Avoid temptation. Avoid even the “appearance of evil” Never yield! –1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

“Devil’s tricks. ” He is cunning and crafty. Do not give him a proverbial inch! – 2 Corinthians 2:11 “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Christians Must Be Watchful!

“False teachers.” Seek to mislead us. Compromise God’s truth. –1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Christians Must Be Watchful!

“Opportunities to do good.” Seek to be of service. Help the weak. –Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Christians Must Be Watchful!

“For the coming of the Lord.” We need to prepare. Time is uncertain. –2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” Christians Must Be Watchful!

Be “on guard.” Make wise choices. Do not be arrogant. Resist pride. –Ephesians 5:14,15 “Therefore He says: Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” Christians Must Be Watchful!

Divine and Defined Remedy “Strengthen things that remain—ready to die!” Place to restart and rebuild. Lord wants action—not talk. Fan the flames before they die. – 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless indeed you are disqualified.”

“Remember what they had received and heard! ” If used properly, memory is a good tool. Stir up your memory – 2 Peter 1:9-13 “Who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” Divine and Defined Remedy

“Hold fast and repent!” Look to the good things. Complete the work. Repent. – 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Divine and Defined Remedy

The Promise “Those who overcome— will be clothed in white garments! ” Garments of victory and righteousness. Never fade. – Philippians 4:3 “And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”

“Name will not be blotted out of Book of Life!” Name remains in the greatest book. –Revelation 20:14,15 “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” The Promise

He will “confess your name before His Father!” Confessed before the throne. Make your life a “living confession.” − Matthew 10:32,33 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” The Promise

Concluding Thoughts Victory will not be easy, but the promised reward makes the struggle easier to accept. Don’t think too highly of yourself. Always look into God’s book to be sure you are resting “squarely” on His truth. Aim to keep your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life!