1. The New Testament contains
information (positive and negative) that was written "about" as well
as "to" various congregations in the first century.
2. By "rightly dividing"
this information we can know the Lord's will for His church today.
3. This lesson is a study of the
message that the Lord sent to the church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6). Discussion:
I.
(vs.1a)
THE INTRODUCTION TO
THIS MESSAGE
A. This message was addressed to "the angel [messenger] of the church in
Sardis."
B. Although John recorded this
message, it was actually spoken by the Lord.
1. The Lord described Himself as He
who has:
a. "the
seven Spirits of God"
1) (1:4) John's greeting included "the seven Spirits" before
God's throne.
2) This seems to be an expression
referring to the Holy Spirit -- we must remember that Jesus was given the
Spirit without measure (John 3:34).
b. "the
seven stars."
1) (1:16) When John saw his vision
of the Lord, "he had in his right
hand seven stars."
2) (1:20) The 7 stars are identified
as "the angels of the seven
churches."
2. As the One who has the 7 Spirits
of God and the 7 stars, Christ sees and knows everything that takes place in
His church.
II.
THE LORD
REBUKED THE CHURCH
IN SARDIS
A. The Lord was able to rebuke this
church because He knew its works (vs.1b).
B. The Lord rebuked the church in Sardis because it was "dead."
1. Christ did not rebuke this church
for allowing false doctrine to be taught.
2. This church even had a "name" [reputation] that it
was alive.
3. Regardless of how this church saw
itself and how others saw it, the Lord saw it as being spiritually dead.
C. (vs.2b) This congregation was
dead because its works were not "perfect"
[completed] before God (Hebrews 6:1a).
1. On the surface, this church
appeared to be busy and active.
2. However, it was not fulfilling
its mission.
D. (vs.4) Thankfully, not all the
members of the Sardis
congregation were "defiled."
1. "A
few" had
not "defiled their garments,"
and the Lord said He would bless them.
2. Unfortunately, it seems that most
of the members were defiled.
III.
THE LORD
URGED THE CHURCH
IN SARDIS
TO REPENT
A. (vs.2a) The Lord told this
congregation to:
1. "be
watchful" [Wake
up! -- Ephesians 5:14-16]
2. "strengthen
the things which remain, that are ready to die."
B. (vs.3a) The Lord admonished this
congregation to:
1. remember how it had received and
heard the Gospel
2. "hold
fast"
3. "repent."
C. (vs.3b) If this church failed to
repent, the Lord would come upon it in judgment.
D. (vs.5) Those who overcame would:
1. "be
clothed in white raiment"
2. not have their names removed from
"the book life"
3. be confessed by Christ before the
Father and His angels.
IV.
APPLICATION
A. Let us compare the
"dead" church in Sardis to the
"living" church in Jerusalem
(Acts 2:42-47).
B. Which congregation had the Lord's
approval?
