Mar. 02, 2025

Background:

• There is nothing worse than being dead and not knowing it
• If something is lying around dead, then it needs to be buried
• If something is dead and not buried, it stinks and causes issues
• The church of Sardis was dead and did not know it
• If we are going to follow Jesus, then Jesus must come first including over a dead person (Matthew 8:20-22)
• Jesus' call on our lives ought to be first

Key Sermon Points:

1. The Destination of the letter

• The letter is going to Sardis, one of the greatest cities in the world...famous for it's strategic location great for defense
• Despite the fact that it was impossible to get to the few that was defending the city, Sardis lost two battles because of over confidence and complacency
• Complacency grows out of a false security in our spiritual lives and cause us to think all is well when disaster is all around
• The angels were the Pastors of the churches to whom the letter was written

2. The description of the Divine Author

• The Holy Spirit described as the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge  (Isaiah 11:2)
• The Spirit refers to Christ and his completeness
• The 7 stars are the Elders of the churches
• Jesus is the Sovereign Lord over the churches
• Sometimes God will answer our questions through the Scripture and sometimes through our Brothers and Sisters...and sometimes He won't answer us because he is sovereign
• He uses the preachers to bring forth his Word

3. Jesus' rebuke of the church

• Because the church of Sardis was dead, Christ gave them a rebuke
• Though their outer appearance may have fooled man, the church of Sardis was dead
• They had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof
• The fig tree was in the soil, getting the rain, but producing nothing (Matthew 21:18-20)
• We must ask ourselves if we have a relationship with Christ and are we producing fruit?
• The only thing that fig tree was good for was to die
• We can't fool the Lord
• Spiritual death is caused by sin
• While we were dead in our sins, Christ died for us...and we were made alive (Ephesians 2:1-5)
• Our enemies are the world, Satan, and our flesh

4. Jesus is warning them to strengthen those that are alive

• There was a remnant in the church that was alive...even though the church was dead
• If a church is dead or dying, then leave and go elsewhere
• There is no point in talking to something that is dead
• Strengthen the ones that remain
  • They need it to wake up; there is no time for indifference; we must confront sin and indifference if the church is to live
  • Christ was encouraging the true believers to fan the flame to help them to grow
  • To be faithful
  • Remember what we were taught and don't stray from God's Word
• Salvation is free, but not cheap
• We must let them know about sanctification, being set apart
• Believers must keep God's Word
• "Dusty Bibles mean dusty lives"
• The believers needed to repent with remorse and sorrow and turn to God
• A thief will come unexpectedly, but a robber will get you at a particular time

5. The counsel Jesus gives

• Encouraging Christians by describing rewards ahead
• Christians will wear white garments
• All true Christians are victorious through Christ our Lord over sin, death, and Satan
• One day we will wear the white garments and Jesus will not blot out our names in the Book of Life
• Christians names will never be removed from the Book of Life (Revelation 20:12-15)
• Being in the Book of Life means that we have been saved