The Letter to the church in The Letter to the church in SardisSardis

Revelation 3:1-6Revelation 3:1-6

The City of SardisThe City of Sardis

One of the world’s great trading centers One of the world’s great trading centers because of its location on the junction of because of its location on the junction of five different roads.five different roads.

It was well known for its wealth.It was well known for its wealth. It was once the capital of Lydia.It was once the capital of Lydia. ““Sardis” is plural, for it was made up of Sardis” is plural, for it was made up of

two parts. two parts. An old city atop a great cliff. An old city atop a great cliff. The newer city on the valley floor below.The newer city on the valley floor below.

The City of SardisThe City of Sardis

The old city, though located about The old city, though located about 1500 ft. above the valley floor atop 1500 ft. above the valley floor atop precipitous cliffs, was known for not precipitous cliffs, was known for not watching.watching.

Twice in its history it was conquered Twice in its history it was conquered when enemy soldier climbed up the when enemy soldier climbed up the cliffs and took the city by surprise.cliffs and took the city by surprise.

This will come into play in the letter.This will come into play in the letter.

The Letter to SardisThe Letter to Sardis

Speaker: Speaker: He who has the seven spirits of GodHe who has the seven spirits of God

Seven—complete or full measure (John Seven—complete or full measure (John 3:34).3:34).

5:6 equates this with his being all seeing, or 5:6 equates this with his being all seeing, or having all power and wisdom. having all power and wisdom.

And the Seven stars.And the Seven stars. Seven angels or messengers (1:20). Seven angels or messengers (1:20).

He knows their works!He knows their works!

What was Right with the What was Right with the church?church?

Nothing good mentioned.Nothing good mentioned. Even the worst of the other churches Even the worst of the other churches

had some things that were right. had some things that were right. But not Sardis.But not Sardis. What was the difference?What was the difference?

What was wrong with the What was wrong with the church?church?

That you have a name that you are That you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.alive, but you are dead. As a congregation this church may have As a congregation this church may have

been well known. been well known. They certainly had a name, for the letter They certainly had a name, for the letter

is addressed to them. is addressed to them. But the fact that they existed was no But the fact that they existed was no

indication of their spiritual condition.indication of their spiritual condition.

What was wrong with the What was wrong with the church?church?

That you have a name that you are That you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.alive, but you are dead. Good appearance. Good appearance. Good reputation.Good reputation. YET THEY WERE DEAD! YET THEY WERE DEAD!

Attendance, giving, how much work we are doing is no indication of our spiritual

condition.

If it Is not by faith, in love, and according to truth it is nothing.

What was wrong with the What was wrong with the church?church?

““I have not found your works perfect I have not found your works perfect before God.”before God.” They were doing works, but their works They were doing works, but their works

were not perfect; they were not complete.were not perfect; they were not complete. Not doing the whole will of God!Not doing the whole will of God! Starting some works, but never finishing…Starting some works, but never finishing…

not faithful to the end not faithful to the end 2 Cor. 8:10-12: Need for completing our 2 Cor. 8:10-12: Need for completing our

good works. good works.

AdmonitionsAdmonitions1.1. ““Be watchful”: Be watchful”:

The city was known for not watching.The city was known for not watching. The church must overcome such an attitude. The church must overcome such an attitude. All must be watchful for error, sin, waiting All must be watchful for error, sin, waiting

and watching for the Lord’s coming.and watching for the Lord’s coming.

2.2. ““Strengthen the things that remain”:Strengthen the things that remain”: Encourage and build up the good qualities Encourage and build up the good qualities

that are left. that are left. They are ready to die, but don’t let it happen.They are ready to die, but don’t let it happen. Finish what you start.Finish what you start.

AdmonitionsAdmonitions1.1. ““Remember how you have received and Remember how you have received and

heard”:heard”: When we receive the gospel it is with zeal When we receive the gospel it is with zeal

and diligence. and diligence. First principles which established us in the First principles which established us in the

faith—often forgotten throughout the years.faith—often forgotten throughout the years. Initial dedication to God Initial dedication to God

2.2. Hold fast: Hang on tight, preserve what is Hold fast: Hang on tight, preserve what is left and develop it.left and develop it.

3.3. Repent: Repent: Turn from apathy, sluggishness and Turn from apathy, sluggishness and

imperfect works. imperfect works. Renew again your diligence to do all the Renew again your diligence to do all the

works that God has given. works that God has given.

WarningWarning I will come upon you as a thief:I will come upon you as a thief:

Thieves are a threat to those who are not watching Thieves are a threat to those who are not watching (Matt. 24:43). (Matt. 24:43).

If we are not watching and perfecting our works then If we are not watching and perfecting our works then Jesus will comes as a thief and we will not be ready. Jesus will comes as a thief and we will not be ready.

We will be like the five foolish virgins who were not We will be like the five foolish virgins who were not allowed entrance (Matt. 25:1ff). allowed entrance (Matt. 25:1ff).

You will not know what hour I will come upon you. You will not know what hour I will come upon you. Faithful Christians are always ready for when the Lord Faithful Christians are always ready for when the Lord

comes. comes. Those who are not faithful do not make themselves Those who are not faithful do not make themselves

ready, they do not make their works perfect for the ready, they do not make their works perfect for the coming of their master. coming of their master.

ExhortationExhortation

A few who have not defiled their A few who have not defiled their garments.garments. A few who were not given to spiritual A few who were not given to spiritual

death and decay.death and decay. They had not let their guard down, not They had not let their guard down, not

become apathetic.become apathetic. Not become blind to the sins of the Not become blind to the sins of the

world. world.

PromisePromise

They shall walk with Me in white:They shall walk with Me in white: Those who continue in faithfulness and diligence Those who continue in faithfulness and diligence

will have their reward with Christ (1 Cor. 15:58). will have their reward with Christ (1 Cor. 15:58). Robes of white-purity, for they have not allowed Robes of white-purity, for they have not allowed

themselves to be defiled. themselves to be defiled. Not blot his name out of the book of life.Not blot his name out of the book of life.

The book in which all the saved are written. The book in which all the saved are written. Notice: Once our name is in that book it can still Notice: Once our name is in that book it can still

be removed. be removed. We need continued faithfulness. We need continued faithfulness.

PromisePromise

I will confess His name before the Father. I will confess His name before the Father. Confess His name as having been forgiven.Confess His name as having been forgiven. Having been made righteous by His blood. Having been made righteous by His blood. If we confess Jesus with our mouths and with If we confess Jesus with our mouths and with

our lives, He will confess us before the Father our lives, He will confess us before the Father as belonging to Him (Matt. 10:32). as belonging to Him (Matt. 10:32).

Do you have an ear to hear?Do you have an ear to hear?