Message to the Church at Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6

Review of Previous Lessons:

            Ephesus – Left their first love

            Smynra – Persecuted church

            Pergamos – The throne of Satan was there

            Thyatira – Allowed wicked Jezebel

What is sad and tragic about the church at Sardis?
They were already dead (except a few).  Their deeds were not right.  They go to church, but are spiritually dead.

It had a name that said it was alive and yet dead.

It was shining solely by the light of the light of the past.

This letter is from Jesus and John is writing it down on the island of Pathmos.

The “7 Spirits” represent the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord.

The “7 Stars” represent the leaders of the 7 churches.

This was the 7-fold ministry.

Describe the city of Sardis:

            Rich empire

            Very rich and sinful city

            Center for wool

            Temple of Lydine

            30 miles southeast of Thyatira

            A city on a plateau rising 1500 feet high

Temple to Roman emperor

Paul ministered to them.

Their reputation and name said they were alive.

In the New Testament, deadness in the spiritual dimension is always connected to sin.

Ephesians 2:1

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.

Colossians 2:10

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins.

Their deeds were not acceptable. 

They did not know God had left them. 

They were just going through the motions. 

The majority of the church is spiritually dead, but a few are still alive.

The word “soiled” means spear, pollute, stain.

Garments represent character. (wearing righteousness)

Path to Revival:

1.       Wake up – do not be indifferent.

2.      Strengthen the things that remain

3.      Go back to the truth – keep the word of God in front of us.

4.      Keep God’s word and obey it.

5.      Repent

Promise to the Overcomers:

1.    Clothed in white garments. (White robes are a sign of victory.)

2.    Will not erase his name from the book of life.

3.     Confess Him before my Father and His Angels.