Part 8 - Sardis: The Church Alive But Dead Series

Jesus’ Commitment to Sardis

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. (Rev 3:4-5)

What a promise. Despite the condition of the church, Jesus has not forgotten the few that remain who are faithful to him. There are a couple of important concepts here before we close. First the idea of garments:

Garments refer to one’s character. It identifies your righteousness. Think of it as a uniform, almost. Even in pagan worship, they were required to come in certain clothes that were clean. It was a symbol of their goodness.

When you confess Christ and receive him as Lord of your life you trade your filthy rage for linens white as snow. A reflection of your righteousness.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

That’s God’s righteousness being conferred upon you. Jesus is telling the church to remain in that purity and faithful to our Lord. What a blessing it is to read of Christ’s calling true believers “worthy.” Not perfect Christians, but sincere people who earnestly live out your faith and are accepted by the Lord. Many people struggle with a sense that we are never measuring up to please the Lord. Yet throughout Revelation, we find that Jesus continually praises those who are faithful, even in Sardis the dead church.

Along with that is a promise of security to the overcomer: “I will never blot out their name from the book of life. What is the book of life? It’s a record. In ancient days, a citizen of a city or country would be recorded from a census. Your name would be erased two ways: 1.) You died 2.) You committed a capital crime against the state. You would lose your citizenship. Jesus promises that will never happen to those who are faithful. What does that mean conversely? Don’t find out.

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. (Rev 22:14)

Conclusion

6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Do we realize how crucial it is that we not dabble in nominal Christianity? We can dazzle ourselves before man, but we’re not fooling God. Be an overcomer because in Christ you are an overcomer. Hear the message of Jesus. Jesus is saying, “Are you listening? If you are dead in trespasses and sins, wake up and repent and come to Christ. If you are saved, but sleeping and indolent and indifferent and worldly, remember and hold fast and strengthen. And if you are vibrant and alive, count your blessings and your eternal promises that await you.” (MacArthur)

I want Grace Community Church to be alive. Not an appearance before men that we are alive, but before God. Alive with the presence of God. Alive in the power of the Holy Spirit. Alive with the truth and saint who are alive eternally.

Take it to the Cross

Close

Pray