How to Kill A Church

Lesson from Sardisthe Church of the Living Dead

Revelation 3:1-6

The Church At SardisRevelation. 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

The Church At SardisRevelation. 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 ?

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

A Dead Church Comes AliveHe 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)

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)