Sermon: The Church at Sardis
Series: Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation
Bible Passage: Revelation 3:1–6
I. In the eyes of others, the Church at Smyrna looked great!
II. But, to the eyes of Jesus, they were “dead” (3:1)
- Jesus knows the work of the Church at Sardis (3:1)
- Man looks outside, but God sees inside
- Deep knowledge
- Jesus is making a comment sarcastically about the Church at Sardis (3:1)
- They have a reputation/personality to be alive (3:1)
- Is it an imagery for “faking” or not having a realistic self-assessment?
- Jesus is making a realistic assessment of the Church at Sardis
- They were dead
- A state of loss of life
III. Jesus warns the Church at Sardis to wake up from almost being dead (3:2)
- Many of them probably did not see what Jesus was seeing in them—being oblivious to their spiritual imminent death or the deadness
- They probably were assessing their lives based on their externals
IV. Jesus warns them to strengthen what is fast deteriorating (3:2)
- This deterioration is evidenced from their deeds
- They begin, but do not complete
- They are unable to focus due to distractions
- They compromise; do not hold on to their faith
V. Jesus gives them remedy for their spiritual deadness and way to be revived (3:3)
- Remember or recollect the teachings (The Word of God)
- Repenting from their sins
- If not, death is sure
VI. Jesus warns that He will not ignore the Church’s handling of their Christian life (3:3-4)
- “I will come” refers to Jesus’ coming for punitive action (3:3)
- These Christians have “soiled their clothes”—refers to compromised lifestyle (3:4)
- Those who do not heed to Jesus’ warning will risk their “reputation” being removed (3:5)
- Those who heed to Jesus’ warning will be rewarded with Jesus’ appreciation before the Father (3:5)
TAKE AWAY
Overcome your deteriorating spiritual death by holding fast to the teaching of the Word and by repenting your compromises