Dead And Didn't Know It (Sardis) Series

Introduction

Sardis was the capital of the Lydian empire and one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. Located on the banks of the Pactolus River in what is southern Turkey. It was 60 miles inland from Ephesus and Smyrna. It stood at the crossroads of Asia Minor, the most prosperous, powerful, fertile, and pagan province of the entire Roman Empire.

First-century Sardis had a unique blend of residents: faithful Jews and Christians who worshiped God blended with influential pagans who worshiped the Roman emperor and gods such as Artemis and Cybele.

Sardis is of particular interest because it apparently had a very visible Christian church and because the apostle John issued a strong warning to them.

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Revelation 3:1-2

Scripture

1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 3:1-6 (KJV)

Prayer

1. Reputation

1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Revelation 3:1

In the letter to Sardis the Lord said; “I know thy works.” The Lord was warning the people of Sardis to be careful to stay watchful, alert, and alive to what was going on in their lives, otherwise they might become apathetic or make a mistake that would cause their witness to a watching world to collapse.

There reputation of the church at Sardis

• They had a reputation of being a church on the go

• They were a growing church

• They were doing everything right

• They kept themselves busy

• There appearance made them look like they were flourishing

• At first glance there seemed to be lacking nothing

2. Reality (verse 1)

When we make an evaluation of our works for the Lord it may not be the same way that God evaluates us.

The church needs to ask the question “what would Jesus do” rather than “what should I do.”

It seems that we have the habit of being more concerned about ourselves and how we can please our peers, than what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ desires for us.

There reality of the church at Sardis

• They had a reputation of being a church on the go but in reality they were spinning their wheels

• They were a growing church but in reality their growth had no life

• They were doing everything right but in reality they were not in the sight of God

• They kept themselves busy but in reality it was dead works

• There appearance made them look like they were flourishing but in reality they were dead

• At first glance there seemed to be lacking nothing but in reality they were spiritually poor

Notice the reality concerning the church at Sardis.

You see our Lord is not concerned how popular you are with the world, how busy you are, or how successful the world thinks you are.

He is more concerned about the condition of your heart.

Your personal image of yourself does not impress the Lord. One of the strongest men in the world received his strength from the Lord. He as so full of himself that he didn’t realize his strength had left him.

And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him. Judges 16:20