2. Rev 1:20 "As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (Col 1:18)

3. Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea Ephesus Smyrna Thyatira Pergamum It is very apparent from the study of chapters 2 & 3 that the influence of each & every member of each church dictated & determined the message received by Jesus.

4. Salutation: Church Character - v:1 Jesus’ Self-Designation – v:1 Commendation of Good – v:4 Condemnation of Evil – v:1-2 Warning & Exhortation – v:2-3 Promise of Reward “Overcomes” – v:5 Invitation to Hear – v:6

5. Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea Ephesus Smyrna Thyatira Pergamum Salutation: Church Character - v:1 capital Wealthy, busy center for trade and traffic. It was an economic stronghold of the wool industry. The capital of Lydia in Asia Minor. The kings who ruled from it were known for their life of wealth, splendor & luxury. “I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive”

6. Sardis Susa Mounted couriers could travel 1,677 miles in 7 days; the journey from Susa to Sardis took 90 days on foot.

7. Salutation: Church Character - v:1 Sardis Sardis: Seemed Invincible It was inaccessible on 3 sides a way up But twice armies found a way up the steepest side— destroyed in 549 BC by a Persian soldier; and by a Cretan in 218 BC. It became a Roman province, was finally destroyed in 1412 “I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive”

8. Jesus’ Self-Designation (v:1) seven Spirits seven stars Rev 3:1 He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this Seven Spirits of God Seven Spirits of God —Perfection of the Holy Spirit. (Rev 1:4-5; 5:6) is represented as sent forth by Him into the world. Helper Spirit of truth Jn 15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, Helper Jn16:7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. Seven Stars Seven Stars — The Messengers (1:16, 20) Preachers & leaders are in His control. HS “dead” HS – directing power of God has the ability to revive this “dead” church if it be willing!

9. a name that you are alive, but you are dead Rev 3:1 I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. was no longer true The city once had a name for being invincible— but that was no longer true. was no longer true They had a name for wealth— but they declined under Rome and that was no longer true. The church had a name of being alive—but now that was no longer true either also was no longer true either. Condemnation of Evil – v:1-2

10. a name that you are alive, but you are dead Rev 3:1 I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Condemnation of Evil – v:1-2 Examples of a Dying Church : Songs without spirit & little thought. Prayers as ritual. Serving for recognition. More concern with physical than spiritual. Attending out of habit rather than a desire. Emphasis on tradition rather than on ideals Worshipping the past not planning the future Dry Rot Where are we?

11. Warning & Exhortation – v:2 Wake upstrengthenthe things that remain Rev 3:2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die. The warning “wake up” should have struck a receptive chord in the heart of every Christian in Sardis, 2 times their city had fallen because they were asleep The Lord admonished them to strengthen what remained & not to give up because the church was weak. Where there is life, there is hope! Rom 13:11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

12. not found your deeds completed Rev 3:2 For I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of my God Do you finish what you start ? lead singing I was gonna lead singing teach a class I was gonna teach a class invite I was gonna invite more people hospitable I was gonna be more hospitable finish I was gonna finish this Bible class I was gonna be more patient to others friendly & outgoing I was gonna be more friendly & outgoing generous I was gonna be more generous spiritual, prayerful I was gonna be more spiritual, prayerful goals I was gonna meet my goals this year I was gonna … Warning & Exhortation – v:2

13. Rev 3:3 So remember what you have received and heard: and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 1. Remember — Continuous: “Keep on remembering what God has done for you” 2. Keep it — Continuous: “Hold tight & don’t let loose” 3. Repent — Point Action: “Change your mind— once & for all” “Wake up” — If the believers at Sardis did not follow His orders, He would come as a thief, when they least expected Him; and this would mean judgment. Warning & Exhortation – v:3

14. few people have not soiled their garmentsthey will walk with Me in white Rev 3:4 But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. fertility Temples to Artemis (Diana) and Cy-bele were fertility goddesses there in Sardis. pure, saved & rejoicing Even if you’re in a dead church & corrupt society—you can still be pure, saved & rejoicing! soiled That suggests that most in the church had soiled robes (lives) Commendation of Good – v:4 To walk in white may refer to the Roman custom that on the day of military triumph “a cavalcade of nobles, all in white” marched thru the streets of Rome. What a greater honor it will be to march in the final grand victory with the Lord!

15. Symbol of P PP Purity (Rev 19:8) “fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” Symbol of J JJ Joy (Eccl 9:8) “Let your clothes be white all the time” Book of Life -- Your name on record. (Phil 4:3) Confess his name— Jesus will acknowledge you in heaven (Matt 10:32) overcomesclothed in white garmentsI will not erase his name from the book of lifeI will confess his name before My Father and before His angels Rev 3:5 He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Promise of Reward “Overcomes” – v:5 V:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”

16. Invitation to Hear – v:6 Rev 3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' Jesus used this phrase often; Matt 11:15, 13:9, Mk 4:9; Lk 8:8; Matt 13:43; Mk 4:23; Lk 14:35. It is repeated in each of the 7 letters. Hearing is personal & individual. It involves, acceptance of & compliance with that which is said. Each is to hear what the Spirit said to all the churches. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41) NKJV

17. Be Watchful-1 Pet 5:8 Wake Up-Rev 3:3 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” “I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.” Strengthen-1 Cor 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Remember-Rev 3:3 “So remember what you have received and heard” Keep it-2 Tim 1:13 “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” Repent-Acts 8:22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.” Overcome-Rev 3:5 “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”