Revelation 3 Letter To The Church at Sardis Chapter 3:1-6 “The Church With Reputation But about to Die”

Revelations 3:1-6 Rev 3:1 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. Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Revelations 3:1-6 Rev 3:3 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. Rev 3:4 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. Rev 3:5 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.

Revelations 3:1-6 Rev 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

About Sardis Sardis as a community was a city with two sections. The first jutted out from the side of a mountain 1500 straight up. Impregnable against an enemy. The second was a development that formed at the base of the mountain as the city outgrew it’s ridge development.

About Sardis As legend has it, Sardis was known for all the gold found laying around the valley floor. The city was known for it’s wealth and security…that is until the time John wrote this letter. The City had ceased to work hard and was now trying to live off of it’s past reputation.

About Sardis Sardis had been conquered twice. Both times the cause was from a false sense of security. The city failed to post adequate watches to overlook the steep wall of the fortress. Cyrus of Persia / Alexander the Great Conquered the city. The Church knew from history what the Lord meant by “Wake Up” Strengthen what remains. Obey it…I will come like a thief” (v. 2-3)

The Seven Spirits of God What are The Seven Spirits of God (v-1) Isa 11:2 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; The number 7 also means completeness, fullness, or perfection in the bible.

What does a Lifeless Dying Church Need 1-What a lifeless church needs is to seek God for the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Jhn 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Jhn 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]. Jhn 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Jhn 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Jhn 14:17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

2-What a lifeless church and dying church needs is to seek the life giving, quickening power of the Spirit of God Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

3-What a lifeless church and dying church needs is to seek the convicting power of the Spirit of God. Jhn 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Counselor will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

4-What a lifeless church and dying church needs is to seek the fruit of the Spirit of God. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

5-What a lifeless church and dying church needs is to seek the guidance of the Spirit of God. Jhn 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

6-What a lifeless church and dying church needs is to seek the Fire of the Spirit of God. Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

7-What a lifeless church and dying church needs is to seek the Witnessing Power of the Spirit of God. Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The Deception Many Churches believe they are alive, Vibrant and need nothing because they are bustling with activity…But Jesus says they are dead. They rely on reputation, works, programs, but there is no power.

Listen to these Scriptures Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mar 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me. Jhn 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Eze 33:31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness. Eze 33:32 And, lo, thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

The Counsel of Christ Wake up / Watch Strengthen that which remains

The Warning of Christ Four Things 1- Remember How they received and heard the gospel 2- They must arouse & awaken & obey the original Spirit that gripped their lives 3- They must repent. They must admit they have lost their fervor, confess their wrong doing, and turn from the error of their doing. 4- They must know that the judgment of Christ will fall on the unrepentant

The Promise of Christ Rev 3:3 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. Rev 3:4 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. Rev 3:5 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.

Walking in White means keeping one’s garments clean. A condition that allows one to be confessed as Christ own. A requirement if we are to be confessed to the Father and angels. Following Means we are following in the footsteps or example of Christ.

Finally Mat 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: Mat 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few [are] chosen.

If you are away from Christ & repent Luk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet: Overcomers are celebrated and confessed Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: