Revelation chapter 3: Seven Churches - Sardis

V. Sardis – Background – Former capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. Very wealthy kingdom. Lydia was the first to adopt the use of coins. The city was built on a steep hill and was thought to be impregnable. Captured twice by surprise. No one was watching. No one anticipated an invasion. Over the centuries, Sardis thrived under the rule of Persians, Greeks, and Romans. Recently archeologists uncovered a vast gymnasium and bath complex. At some point, a large portion of it was converted into a Jewish synagogue. It was the largest ancient synagogue yet to be discovered. It gives one an idea of the wealth enjoyed by the people of Sardis.

1. How does Jesus introduce Himself? One who holds the seven spirits of God and seven stars. Perhaps another metaphor for the seven churches and their leaders.

2. Words of praise – Very little. Reference to a few church members who have not soiled their garments … stained by sin.

3. Words of criticism – Plenty. The church has a reputation of being alive but really is dead. What does it mean to have a reputation? Everybody knows about you. What all gives a church a reputation for being alive? A) large number of members. B) Large meeting place – recall synagogue. C) Active in the community – service/works. D) Wealth – size of budget E) Activities/programs – pre-school, children, youth, married, singles, senior citizens. F) Worship style – charismatic. The church of Sardis was the talk of the region/of the seven churches. It had a reputation of being alive. But Jesus did an evaluation of the church and determined it to be dead. How did He reach this determination? There deeds were not complete in the sight of God. Something was lacking. Jesus tells them to remember which must mean they have forgotten something. Remember what? What you have received and heard – life through the Word of God (Matthew 4:4; John 1:1-4). It was Jesus who gave the church life. His Words enabled the church to be a vibrant, living church. At some point, the church no longer regarded the Words of God to be important. Other things became important (Review list.) Once a church regards God’s word to be unimportant, it begins to die. Once a church stops feeding on the Word of God (bread of life), it begins to die. When church members tune out/ignore the Word of God, the church becomes a mausoleum/tomb. Examples – Pastors telling feel good stories/using other sources – magazines; Joel Osteen books. Members deaf to Words of God. Attending church for other reasons. Church continues to exist because it is living off its reputation as being a cornerstone of the community. Another way Jesus determined Sardis was dead. He makes no mention of the church experiencing persecution. Why not? Satan had no reason to attack a dead body. A church that is not experiencing spiritual warfare/persecution is a dead church.

4. If they don’t repent… - I will come against you like a thief and you won’t know when it will be. Perhaps remove the candlestick like Ephesus. Those in the church familiar with the history of Sardis probably would understand this statement. Remember from background – The city was captured twice by surprise. No one was watching. No one anticipated an invasion.

5. Promise if they overcome – a) clothed in white – represents purity/innocence; b) never blot out name from the book of life; c) I will confess/acknowledge his name before God the Father and the angels. Cool stuff! Don’t you want to hear Jesus say the following, “Father, Gabriel, Michael, angels of the heavenly host, I present to you Greg Crawford. He is worthy of being dressed in white; he is worthy of walking with me for he has been faithful, obedient, and holy in all his ways.”