The Church of Sardis: Reviving the “Dead” Church

Romans 6:11

11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:13

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.

• South of Thyatira and East of Smyrna
• Active, commercial and wealthy city
• Once capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia
• Croseus, King of Lydia was renowned for his legendary wealth
• Built on a steep hill that makes its defences seemed impregnable.
• Captured by enemies due to complacency
• Wool industry

Revelation 3:1-6

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.

If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 

4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 

5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Spiritual state of the Church in Sardis

•  Their reputation is greater than reality
• Our enemy is sometimes ourselves
• The worthy ones are the minority

What might cause a church to die?

• Not having Christ as the Head
• Not desiring Christ

Isaiah 29:13
13  And the Lord said:

“Because this people draw near with their mouth

and honor me with their lips,

while their hearts are far from me,

and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

Matthew 23:27

 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 

• Not united in Christ

Philippians 2:3-4

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others

Romans 12:3

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

The way to revive the ‘dead’ church

• Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die .. (Rev 3:2)
• Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent (Rev 3:3a)
• Be warned that Jesus will come against you (Rev 3:3b)

Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die .. (Rev 3:2)

Be watchful / alert (Ac 20:31; 1Co 16:13; Col 4:2; 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 5:8)

Remember what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent

Romans 10:17

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 5:8

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

• Be warned that Jesus will come against you

Rev 3:3b

If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 

Coming as a thief (Mt 24:43–44, Lk 12:39–40, 1 The 5:1-2, 2 Pe 3:10)

Few who are worthy

4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 

5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 

Ephesians 4:1

I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.

Philippians 1:21

To live is Christ.

Reflection:

• What is the “life” that you want to live to the fullest? What is your understanding of a life in Christ? What can you do to desire this life in Christ more?
• What are some of the things we need to be watchful in church to avoid a decay in the church? Feel free to share your views besides the examples in the sermon.
• What are some of the things you can do at a personal level, to promote unity/prevent divisions in the church? What do you foresee as the biggest challenge for you?