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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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: Corinthians 16:13 Matthew 15:13-14, 2 Corinthians 4:4 – don’t let “the god of this age” blind you
Sardis

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. Are we like the church at Sardis?