Seven Churches(5): Message to Sardis Revelation 3:1-6 I. Introduction. A. The Lord has nothing good to say about the Sardis church as a body. 1. There were a few Christians, however, who were commended by the Lord. 2. One author put it: Sardis: Dead or Alive? B. The city of Sardis. 1. Once an outstanding Greek city. 2. Apparently lived on its past history(and glory). 3. The city was arrogant and self-sufficient and in need of warning from God(Ray Summers). 4. Possible the attitude of the community affected the attitude of disciples. 5. Read Hendrickson's comments(page 90). C. Addressed by one who had "seven Spirits...seven stars": Revelation 3:1. 1. Seven is a complete(perfect) number. 2. The Lord makes no mistakes; men do(He knew what the church was like). D. Sardis may be typical of many churches since that day. E. Read Revelation 3:1-6. II. Body. A. The Lord knew Sardis: v. 1b. 1. As He knows us as individuals and as a congregation. a. A sobering thought! b. There is no escaping the Lord: Psalm 139:7- 10. 2. The Lord knew their works. a. He was not happy with them. b. Is He happy with me? with us? c. Jesus said: John 9:4. d. Even belief is a work: John 6:29. 3. The Lord knew their reputation. a. As he knows ours: wonder what it would be? b. One can have a reputation among men that is different from the one that God gives them(Sardis reputation did not match the truth). c. A reputation has value only on the basis of whether it is accurate. d. A reputation of righteousness is what matters. e. One referred to Sardis as a "peaceful cemetery." f. Their lamp on the stand was "dimming." g. Little to commend at Sardis. B. A challenge to change: v. 2. 1. "Be thou watchful." a. Alertness is expected of all congregations and Christians. b. To Ephesus: Ephesians 5:16. 2. Establish the things that remain. a. Strengthen what you have. b. The situation: "ready to die." c. If still have faith in God--strengthen it. 3. Without progress: "no works...perfected." a. "The were self-satisfied but God was displeased"(Hinds). b. Sardis could have appeared as a splendid church to others. c. "Good starts...poor finishers"(Ray Summers). d. Consider: Galatians 5:7. C. A call to repentance and a warning: v. 3. 1. Use your memory: v. 3a. a. Powerful force when used. b. All of us have to be reminded. c. Keep the things they learned: Philippians 4:9. d. They needed to repent(change). (1 Not easy--but right. (2 Peter told Simon: Acts 8:22. e. Byron Conley and the church in N. Florida. f. Lost their early zeal and dedication. 2. The Lord's waning: v. 3b. a. Need to be aware of the Lord's vengeance. b. Always pays to be faithful and dedicated to righteousness. c. The Lord will surprise a lot of folks! d. Note: (1 Do not know when the Lord will return. (2 Constant preparation is the standard: Matthew 25:13. e. Hence: I Thessalonians 5:2-6. D. The faithful few: v. 4. 1. Hope to find in every congregation. 2. These did not follow the majority. a. The majority, however, is not always wrong (Smyrna, Philadelphia). b. But, in many instances, the majority follows the wrong path. c. Someone said, "God and one faithful person makes a majority." d. Would you rather have the majority on your side or be on the side of the Lord? 3. The few will be able to "walk" with the Lord. 4. Discuss pressure of majority(the feelings of Elijah). 5. Stand with the few here: be with God in eternity. 6. Better to have your name written in the Lamb's book of life rather than a history book. III. Conclusion. A. Be an overcomer: v. 5. B. They could be acceptable; so can we, by faithfulness. C. The Lord blots out the names of those who do not overcome.-jy