Letter #5 "Dear Sardis: The Church Is Dead!" Series

The History of Sardis:

Was built on a mountain which was viewed as impregnable.

Isaiah 56:10 "Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep." (NIV)

Is one of the two most harshly condemned Churches and is uninhabited today.

1) Jesus Condemns Sardis: Vs. 1 "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead." (NIV)

Their Reputation was Deceiving!

Luke 10:38-42

G. Campbell Morgan: Called it "reputation without reality."

Matthew 16:24-28

Sardis was DEAD!

Question: Are we DEAD?

2) Jesus Commands Sardis: Vs. 2-3 "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." (NIV)

For a Call for Revival was Demanded!

Isaiah 57:14-21

For a Quick Response to their Condition!

Question: What keeps a Church from Dying?

John 20:22 "And with that He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

For a Perpetual Review of their Condition!

Remember--the word means to keep on remembering never to forget!

Lamentations 3:40-41 "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven..." (NIV)

Question: Do you need to be revived?