Sunday, June 10, 2018 am
NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
2017-18 (62)
A Study of Churches (9)
The Seven Churches of Asia (6) – Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)
As
we continue our study of New Testament congregations, today we want to
notice the church at Sardis.
This is one of the 7 churches of Asia we have been studying which gives
us a good gauge of where we are as the Lord’s church in this location.
Which of these 7 churches describes us?
What do we need to do to improve?
That is why we have engaged in this study.
This morning we are going to examine the church at Sardis.
Tonight, we are going to examine the church at Philadelphia.
We will examine Laodicea next week.
a.
Located about 30 miles
southeast of Thyatira.
It was located at the junction of 5 different roads leading to
all different places in the Empire. It
had been the capital city of the kingdom of Lydia.
b.
Its
history – A very old city,
more than 1200 years old at the time of the writing of Revelation.
Built strategically, while much of the city was in the valley
buttressed against a mountain, its acropolis was built upon a ledge in
the Tmolus Mountains. This
made its conquer seem to be impossible and led to
arrogance and complacency,
thinking they could not be
conquered. But history
reveals that at least twice, the city fell to Cyrus of Persia (around
549 BC) and later to Antiochus the Great (218 BC). They were attacked
and defeated by a concealed path on the cliff side that led into the
city. Through negligence it
was left unguarded which resulted in its fall.
When the city surrendered to the Persian Empire (Cyrus) he heeded advice
to discourage the military spirit the city was known for and to
emphasize those traits which would lend to luxury and sensuality.
As a result the city became weak militarily and known for its
effeminate nature and its excessive immorality and complacency.
It was in this state as this letter is written, though it had
been rebuilt a few decades earlier after a major earthquake in 17 A.D.
c.
Roman ties – it was
important as far as travel was concerned.
An industrial city and an assize town (judicial).
One of the towns that competed with Smyrna to build a temple to
Augustus but lost the bid.
d.
A
prosperous and complacent city.
The city was a center of trade.
It was known as the first city to strike coins of gold and
silver. A city that worked
with dyes and wool (raised flocks). It also had very fertile soil which
lent itself to prosperous crops. One
of the features of this city was a river that ran through it which came
down out of the mountains. In the river there was gold dust which they
harvested. The
disposition of this city was one that was proud of its history and
relied upon it for its glory.
It was also a very wealthy city that had become self-satisfied
and increasingly more sensual in its conduct.
e.
Worshipped many gods and
had its acropolis as previously mentioned.
There was a great temple to Artemis and Cybele (goddess of
fertility). As a city, it
was probably not that antagonistic toward Christians, even as this
letter is written. It was
NOT a center of Caesar worship.
Perhaps this lack of trials is what led to the complacency of the
church that we will notice shortly.
f.
In
this city we find the Lord’s church
– though it is in trouble!
Here we find a church whose description is very reflective of the
society that is influenced thereby.
You have a society reflecting on its past success and so is the
church. That is borne out in
the letter to this church.
a.
Christ described –
He who has the seven Spirits and the seven stars.
We are told in Revelation 1:20 that the seven stars are the
angels (messengers) to the seven churches.
Revelation 5:6 in another vision
of a Lamb having seven eyes, “which
are the seven Spirits of God.”
Both of these descriptions point to the message He reveals to us.
Again be reminded that the number 7 indicates completeness - thus
we have His complete message.
Worthy of note is John 6:63 where Jesus said,
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words
that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
b.
Condemnations –
most letters begin with commendations.
This one immediately addresses their failures.
This is the character of this congregation.
i.
I know your works – whether good or bad, He knows what we are doing.
ii.
You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead
–
1.
The idea of a name is
reputation – how you are known by others.
We need a good reputation, but we also need sustaining character
and efforts. Ephesus had a
good reputation, but their fire had weakened.
ONE thing to consider about reputation is that we need to be MORE
concerned about what God thinks about us than men, even other brethren
and congregations.
2.
The church at Smyrna was
one that perhaps other congregations were well aware of (e.g. 1
Thessalonians 1:6-7 -known throughout Macedonia and Achaia, Romans 1:8 –
a faith spoken of throughout the whole world, etc.). It is likely that
name included their stand for the truth, and numerous good works.
If they had wealth (we don’t know), perhaps they helped needy
brethren elsewhere or supported the preaching of the gospel.
BUT that was in the past.
Now they are dying.
Clearly, they are not growing and at best would be described as
stagnant.
3.
What does it mean be
dead spiritually? Consider
Ephesians 2:1-3 – an individual is “dead in his trespasses and sins” and
“without Christ” (vs. 12).
He has no relationship with Christ and thus he has no hope.
A congregation, based upon Revelation 1-3, would be dead if somehow its
candlestick were removed so that it is no longer recognized by Christ
Jesus.
4.
So how do churches die?
There are many reasons, but the simple answer is through neglect.
Some factors that will cause a church to die include:
a.
Members consumed with
worldliness.
While at times, these may be sinful behaviors, that is not
necessary. We may just be
overly occupied with the cares and riches of this life (cf. Matthew
13:22 – the thorny soil).
b.
Satisfied with our
current state.
We like things the way they are and we don’t want to stir that
up.
c.
When we dwell on the past and stop looking forward
– far too many desire
“the good old days”.
d.
When our actions become
mere ritual –
there is no heart or constant examination of what we are doing and why.
We quit studying and are not willing to change, even if we learn
that such is what we need.
e.
Prejudice
– not simply skin color
or ethnicity, but social status.
When we reject those with struggles and problems and who “are not
like us”, we’re headed toward obscurity.
f.
When we let down our guard
– that is when corruption creeps in and if not rooted out, it
will destroy a congregation.
g.
When we do nothing.
We quit working. We
quit striving to grow.
Friends, when we are stagnant or not moving forward, we are preparing to
die!
h.
When we reject Jesus and
His authority
– when God’s word is not
our final source for all that we do, we are dying before Him!
And in this, we may still have a reputation before others that we
are doing great (until they learn better).
i.
Typically, when a church
dies, it is not because of one single factor, but a multitude of causes.
iii.
I have not found your works perfect before God –
as you continue to read
this message you notice that some had defiled their garments.
It is likely that they were more affluent than some other
congregations and had allowed worldly influences to influence their
lives.
OBSERVE, of the 7 churches, only 2 do not mention outside troubles –
Sardis and Laodicea.
c.
Commendations
i.
A name that you are alive – IF you call this a commendation, it implies they know what
they are supposed to be doing.
NOT really a commendation because it doesn’t reflect their
current state.
ii.
You have a few names, even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments
- vs. 4. The best that could
be said about this congregation was that there were a few who were
faithful to God and doing all that He expected of them.
This reminds us again of individual judgments – we need to try and do
that which is right, regardless of our circumstances and what others are
doing.
What is interesting here is we find no condemnation of error being
taught or practiced – thus those who are pleasing to God with their
attitudes and lives, are worshipping properly and in a place where the
truth is loved, respected and taught.
They just CANNOT get the majority moving and active.
d.
Call to action
i.
Watch –
there is a warning that if they do not watch, they would be caught
unprepared as the Lord would come upon them as a thief.
The first step toward correction in these types of circumstances is to
WAKE UP! Find out where you
are at and keep matters from getting any worse.
We are constantly reminded to watch – Ephesians 5:15-17 – walk
circumspectly.
1 Corinthians 16:13 – the church at Corinth was called upon to watch.
You will NEVER make correction if you refuse to open your eyes and see
where you are headed!
Matthew 15:14. Don’t let “the god of this age” blind your minds (2
Corinthians 4:4).
ii.
Strengthen the things that remain
– in virtually every situation, you can find some good
things. Whatever they are –
HOLD ON TO THEM and use them as a starting point to rebuild. ONE of the
things mentioned in this letter, was that faithful remnant.
Maybe its time to start listening to their admonitions and
concerns!
iii.
Remember –
what they had received and heard.
Ask for the old paths – Jeremiah 6:16 - this is a reference to returning
to the way God wants us to do something (not necessarily out dated
methods or resources, but the truth that has not changed).
There was a need to pause and examine where they were when they growing
and ask, “What has changed”?
2 Corinthians 13:5 calls for us to examine ourselves. We need that “came
to Himself” moment of Luke 15:17.
Remember also WHY you did what you did – Hebrews 10:32 notes, “Recall
the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a
great struggle with sufferings…”
Ephesus was told to remember from where they had fallen – Revelation 2:5
iv.
Hold fast –
don’t let go of the truth in all matters.
It was slipping away, and it was time to grab it again.
Colossians 1:23 speaks of
continuing in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from
the hope of the gospel…
v.
Repent!
Again, this is the mantra of every congregation with errors.
Whatever we are doing or NOT doing, we need to change that.
And it must be deep seated – remember 2 Corinthians 7:10-11.
e.
The promise
i.
He who overcomes – we need to address our struggles!
ii.
They shall walk with Me in white – it is overcoming that puts us in fellowship with Him
– 1 John 1:5-8
iii.
The faithful will walk in white, for they are worthy
– white is the color of purity (Revelation 7:14 – washed in the blood of
the Lamb). When we obey Him
and walk with and in Him, we are determined to be worthy!
Philippians 1:27 reminds us to let our conduct be worthy of the
gospel of Christ.
iv.
His name will not be blotted out of the book of life
– a reference to those who are saved.
Philippians 4:3, Revelation 20:12 & 15, 21:27, etc.
QUESTION: Can one’s name be blotted out of the book of life?
v.
I will confess him before My Father and the angels
– Matthew 10:32-33
f.
He who has ears, let him hear… a call to read and respond to this message.
a.
This is a congregation
with a rich history. They
are known among brethren for their soundness and the many works they
did. They boldly stood for
and taught the truth. They
were growing within their community.
Maybe they had to build a larger building to accommodate their
growth.
BUT THAT IS IN THE PAST! Now
they are just drifting along doing the same thing they did years ago.
They are not adequately grounding the members to be prepared to
identify and challenge error. They
are not challenging each other to grow spiritually and reach out to
others.
The members are living comfortable lives and all seems to be going well
outwardly. They are at
peace with one another and dare not do anything that might challenge
that.
They are at peace with society and thus not even worth being attacked
(because of their complacency).
They know (especially the older generation that has been there for so
long) that they have a problem, because they are dwindling in numbers.
They are concerned, BUT they
refuse to open their eyes to honestly examine and address where they are
at! There is no real enthusiasm.
With each year, more and more die, others move away or leave, and
they are not being replaced.
Those that remain, with melancholy, are just waiting for the doors to
close once and for all, as has happened to so many other congregations.
This is a church that needs a REAL REVIVAL!
b.
We cannot rely on the
past! Why do churches die?
Among the reasons is a reliance on the past and a refusal to
adapt (without compromise).
We have seen many churches close their doors, and others that are barely
holding on. They are not
really trying to increase.
Those who ARE working and seeking ways to grow are often discouraged and
resisted by the rest of the congregation – perhaps the comfortable who
just want things to stay the way they are and reflect on “the good old
days”.
Friends, UNLESS we do something to ensure future generations we will
die!
Does this describe us? Are
there qualities that we find in Sardis in our midst?
If so, what are we going to do about it?
Let us resolve to NOT be like the church at Sardis.