1. How to Kill A Church Lesson from Sardis the Church of the Living Dead Revelation 3:1-6

2. The Church At Sardis Revelation. 3:1-6 Sardis was one of the oldest and most important cities in Asia Minor until it was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 17 Sardis was a third-rate city at the time John wrote Revelation The history of Sardis matched the history of the church – once alive, now dead

3. The Church At Sardis Revelation. 3:1-6 Jesus is in control – “he that has…” –In control to punish (3:3; 1 Thess. 5:2ff) –In control to reward (3:5; Rev. 20:15) Jesus knows all – “I know your works…” Sardis had a “name” (reputation) Sardis was living, but dead (1 Tim. 5:6) Reputation vs. actual spiritual condition What killed this church ?

4. How to Kill A Church Unlived Truth (3:1-2) –Their works were started but unfinished –Faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:17,26) –People see unlived truth… Other brethren (Gal. 2:14) The world (1 Pet. 2:12) The Lord (Rev. 3:1) –Unlived truth will kill a church (Lk. 14:28; Gal. 5:7; 2 Tim. 3:5)

5. How to Kill A Church Unconcerned Membership (3:2-3) –They were not watching –They were not holding on to God’s word (2 Tim. 1:13) –Unconcerned members will kill a church (1 Jn. 3:14)

6. How to Kill A Church Unconfessed Sin (3:3) –Sin leads to death (Mt. 8:22; 23:27; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1,5; Col. 2:13) –There was sin in the church; they needed godly sorrow leading to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10) –Unconfessed sin will kill a church (1 Cor. 5)

7. How to Kill A Church Uncommitted Majority (3:4) –There were “few” undefiled; but many defiled –Many followed the way of defilement (Mt. 7:13-14; 22:14; Lk. 13:24; 1 Pet. 3:20) –Many needed saving from death (Jas. 5:20) –Uncommitted majority will kill a church (1 Cor. 11:30)

8. How to Kill A Church Unholy Unions (3:4) –The “few” undefiled had allowed the many defiled to remain among them –Unholy unions between… Members and the world (1 Jn. 2:15-17) Members and other members (1 Cor. 5) Spouses (Mt. 19:9; Rom. 7:2-3) –Unholy unions will kill a church – from death to death (Lk. 15:24,32; Jude 12; Rev. 20:14,15; 21:8)

9. A Dead Church Comes Alive He That Overcomes… Unlived Truth (Heb. 5:12-6:1; Jas. 1:25; Tit. 2:14; 3:8,14) Unconcerned Membership (Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 15:34; 16:13; Eph. 4:16; 5:14; 1 Thess. 5:6-8; 1 Pet. 5:8) Unconfessed Sins (Jas. 5:13; 1 Jn. 1:9) Uncommitted Majority (Josh. 24:15; Psa. 26:9-12; Mic. 3:8; 7:7; Jude 23) Unholy Unions (2 Cor. 6:14 - 7:1)

10. How to Kill A Church Unlived Truth (3:1-2) Unconcerned Membership (3:2-3) Unconfessed Sins (3:3) Uncommitted Majority (3:4) Unholy Unions (3:4)