"THE BOOK OF REVELATION"

Letter To Sardis (3:1-6)

INTRODUCTION
  1. Previously, we considered the letter to Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29), in which Jesus...
    1. Commended their works, love, service, faith, and patience, with their last works being more than the first
    2. Condemned them for allowing a self-proclaimed prophetess named Jezebel to seduce them to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols
    3. Warned them of judgment that would come against her and her children (followers)
    4. Promised that those who overcome would reign with Him over the nations and receive "the morning star" (Re 2:28; i.e., Himself, cf. Re 22:16)
  2. We suggested that we learn from His letter to Thyatira that Jesus will...
    1. Bring judgment upon those who compromise with the world in its ungodliness
    2. Somehow involve His saints who overcome in His current reign over the world - Re 2:26-27
  3. The fifth letter is written to the church in Sardis. Some background information...
    1. The city of Sardis
      1. One of the major features there in NT times was a temple to Artemis, the goddess of love and fertility
      2. Once the capital of the kingdom of Lydia, the greatest of foreign powers encountered by the Greeks
      3. Yet twice in its history it had been conquered by failing to keep careful watch
      -- To which Jesus may have alluded when He exhorted the church to be watchful - Re 3:2-3
    2. The church at Sardis
      1. It too may have begun through Paul's work while at Ephesus - cf. Ac 19:8-10
      2. Other than what is written in this letter, nothing else is known of the church
      -- But then, what would one expect of church that was "dead"?

[Do we wish to make sure that we do not become like the church at Sardis? Then let's pay careful attention to this letter, beginning with...]

  1. THE LORD'S SELF-DESIGNATION (1a)
    1. "HE WHO HAS THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD"...
      1. First mentioned in the introduction to Revelation - Rev 1:4
      2. Again later in the vision of the throne scene - Re 4:5
      -- Most likely the Holy Spirit, described figuratively in sevenfold perfection - cf. Isa 11:2
    2. "AND THE SEVEN STARS"...
      1. Seen in the image of the Son of Man - Re 1:16
      2. Explained to represent the seven angels (messengers) sent to the seven churches - Re 1:20
      -- As One who has both the Holy Spirit and the messengers, Jesus is qualified and equipped to offer condemnation to a church that was alive in name only

    [And so He exercises that ability which is evident from...]

  2. THE LORD'S CONDEMNATION AND WARNING (1b-3)
    1. HIS CONDEMNATION...
      1. They have a name that they are alive, but they are dead - Re 3:1
        1. Which can be true of many churches of Christ today (cf. Ro 16:16)
        2. They may wear the right name, but be spiritually dead
        3. Having a scriptural name for the church does not ensure faithfulness
      2. Their works have not been found perfect before God - Re 3:2c
        1. James teaches us that faith without works is a dead faith - Jm 2:20,26
        2. And that works makes faith perfect - Jm 2:22
        3. Sardis did not have the faith to complete the works they started
        -- Truly a sad state of affairs for a church of Christ that was once alive!
    2. HIS WARNING...
      1. Be watchful (learn from their city's history!) - Re 3:2a
      2. Strengthen the things which remain and are ready to die - Re 3:2b
      3. Remember how they had received and heard - Re 3:3a; cf. Re 2:5
      4. Hold fast and repent - Re 3:3b
      5. If they don't watch, He will come upon them as a thief - Re 3:3c; cf. 1Th 5:2; 2Pe 3:10
      -- A much needed prescription for ailing churches of Christ today!

    [As sorry the condition of the church at Sardis was, not all was lost as we read of...]

  3. THE LORD'S COMMENDATION (4)
    1. THERE ARE A FEW NAMES IN SARDIS WHO HAVE NOT DEFILED THEIR GARMENTS...
      1. Though the church as a whole was "dead", there were the "faithful few"
      2. They had not compromised their personal faith and life in Christ
      -- One may be a member of a "dead" church but still be faithful to the Lord
    2. THEY SHALL WALK WITH HIM IN WHITE, FOR THEY ARE WORTHY...
      1. As promised further in this letter - cf. Re 3:5
      2. A reminder that salvation and condemnation is determined on an individual basis
      -- It is with help of the "faithful few" that a dead church has hope of becoming alive again!

    [That hope exists for any dead church becoming alive again is implied...]

  4. THE LORD'S PROMISE AND EXHORTATION (5-6)
    1. "HE WHO OVERCOMES SHALL BE CLOTHED IN WHITE GARMENTS"...
      1. As promised earlier in this letter - Re 3:4
      2. Garb similar to that worn by the 24 elders - Re 4:4
      3. And that given to souls slain for the Word of God and the testimony they held - Re 6:9-11
      4. And worn by the great multitude from all nations before the Lord in heaven - Re 7:9-17
      -- "People wore white garments for festivals, sacred ceremonies, and Roman celebrations; here they signify purity, cleansing, and end- time victory" - NIV Zondervan Study Bible
    2. "I WILL NOT BLOT OUT HIS NAME FROM THE BOOK OF LIFE"...
      1. The book of life in which names of the saved are written - Php 4:3; cf. Re 20:12,15; 21:27
      2. Note well: if "once saved, always saved" is true, then Jesus' promise to not blot out their names is meaningless (together with His repeated warnings to repent throughout these seven letters)
      -- Together with many other scriptures warning about the danger of apostasy (e.g., He 3:12-14)
    3. "BUT I WILL CONFESS HIS NAME BEFORE MY FATHER AND BEFORE HIS ANGELS"...
      1. A promise made by Jesus during His earthly ministry
      2. To those who are willing to confess His name before men - Mt 10:32; Lk 12:8
    4. "HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES"...
      1. There are very real dangers regarding our spiritual condition, both as a church and as a Christian
      2. But there are wonderful promises to motivate repentance and faithfulness if we will only heed His exhortation!
      -- Brethren, are we listening?
CONCLUSION
  1. From the letter to the church at Sardis, we learn...
    1. That a true church of Christ can become a dead church
    2. That Christians can be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life
  2. From the letter to the church at Sardis, we learn that Jesus...
    1. Judges us individually, not just congregationally (but we must not "defile our garments")
    2. Gives congregations and individuals the opportunity to repent, if they will heed Him

Next we shall consider the letter to the church in Philadelphia...