One of the tragic moments in American history occurred on December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor was attacked. The attack took place on a sunny Sunday morning. Over 2400 lives were lost and five out of eight battleships were sunk. The sad part of that whole event was the fact that we had advance warning and ignored it. A minimal contingent of soldiers was on duty at the time. Most offices on the base were closed and many servicemen were on leave for the weekend. New technology, including a new radar mounted at Opana Point, were in place, at the time of the attack. The incoming Japanese attack planes were detected by the radar and reported, but were mistaken for an incoming group of American planes due from the mainland that morning. While on practice maneuvers outside the harbor that morning, an American destroyer spotted a Japanese submarine attempting to sneak into the harbor. The submarine was fired upon, immediately reported — and ignored. Despite these and other warnings, Pearl Harbor faced great loss that day. The losses and ill preparedness came because warnings were ignored.
(Adapted from contribution to Sermon Central by John Shearhart)
Many tragedies could be averted if the warning signals are acknowledged.
• Many heart attacks could be prevented if individuals heed the tightness in the chest.
• Many cancers could be defeated if we observed the early warning signs.
• Many marriages could be saved if we caught the early tension spots.
• Many bankruptcies could be avoided if we notice the early signals.
Today, we look at a church that ignored God’s early warning signs. They were on the verge of death. God warned them of the approaching danger. Can we learn from them? The church was Sardis. Look at their story. “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ Rev. 3:1-6
Jesus, the one who has perfect power and authority, saw the spiritual condition of the believers at Sardis. In addition, he warned them of the approaching danger. Jesus gave them a wake up call. What is involved in such a call? Could it be that he is giving a wake up call today? If Jesus is giving a wake up call, what is involved?
Let’s see what we can learn about this concept from the church at Sardis. I share a simple two point outline. First, there must be an assessment of the condition. Then there must be an appeal to action.
I. First, there must be an assessment of the condition. Jesus did this with the church at Sardis. His assessment lead him to issue a strong warning. This is similar to what occurs when you go to your doctor for a physical and he issues a sharp warning concerning your health. You may have high blood pressure. Your doctor will recommend that you altar some lifestyle habits in order to bring the blood pressure under control. The believers at Sardis had been to the doctor for their annual physical and came away with a bad report card. What was the report? Look at your Bibles.
A. In verse 1 we read “I know your reputation as a live and active church, but you are dead.” They had an appearance of spiritual life. They had a reputation for being alive; however, they were dead. Appearances are not always what meets the eye.
Joke/illustration: One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried an old hat and an equally worn out Bible.
The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories. As the cowboy took a seat, the others settled down in areas away from him. No one greeted, spoke to or welcomed him. They were all dismayed at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
The preacher gave a long sermon about Hellfire and brimstone and a stern lecture on how people ought to be finding more people to win to Jesus because baptisms were down. As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you return next time, maybe have a talk with God and ask him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worship. You might find that would help you fit in a little better and feel more at home with us."
The old cowboy assured the preacher he would. The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.
The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God about your attire and get his input on the matter of appropriate dress for worship in His church."
"Oh, I did that… I truly did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper dress should be for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that He didn’t have a clue what I should wear here these days – He says He’s not attended here in a long time."
"...for the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
(Contributed to Sermon Central by David Gant)
B. Notice a second thing that characterized the believers in Sardis. In verse 2 we read where they had become sleepy. Jesus tells them to “wake up.” It is possible to become sleepy in your relationship with Jesus.
Illustration: In the book of Jonah we find the story of one man’s spiritual lethargy. God called Jonah to go as a missionary to Ninevah. Jonah did not want the assignment. He ran in the opposite direction. He caught a cruise ship to a place called Tarshish. While on his cruise he went into the ship and went to sleep. He was asleep both physically and spiritually. God quizzed Jonah as to why he was asleep. The tragic result was that Jonah was indifferent to the work of God. He was concerned with his personal feelings rather than the will of God. Why? He was asleep spiritually.
This sometimes happens in our churches. People get so consumed with personal needs that they fall asleep spiritually. Instead of being consumed with God’s will they become consumed with their own needs. We see this happening often in churches. People want their particular style of music. People want things done their way.
Illustration: In a church I once pastored one of our Sunday School classes claimed a class room. They painted the walls, covered the floors and put up an invisible sign that read…"leave our room alone". We needed that room for a preschool room. They were not real happy when we asked them to give up their room. My attitude is this: a lost world is more important than who gets what room, who gets whose way and what type of music to sing.
B. The church at Sardis had an appearance of life. They had become sleepy. Lastly, they had lost their vitality. “Strengthen what little remains.” (vs. 2)
Illustration: Last summer Judy and I went to the Southern Baptist Convention in North Carolina. While there we saw Dr. Landrum Leavell walking down a hall. Dr. Leavell was the president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary when I was a student. One of my vivid memories of Dr. Leavell was seeing him jogging around the seminary campus early every morning. Last summer, when we saw him, he was walking with the aid of a walking cane. It was sad seeing this once robust man losing his physical vitality. Of course, aging is a part of life. Losing physical vitality is to be expected. However, there are times when we may lose vitality by not taking proper care of ourselves.
II. Jesus made His assessment. Now notice His appeal. I am going to make it easy for you to remember. Remember the 3 “r’s” (not reading, writing and arithmetic).
A. Jesus wanted them to renew their spirit. Notice verse 2 “Strengthen what little remains.” In the spiritual life there are times when we lose our spiritual vitality. When that occurs we must renew our relationship with Jesus Christ. This needs to be a regular part of your spiritual life.
• Morning quiet time
• Wednesday service
• Small groups
• Promise keepers
• Ladies trips
• Serving others
Illustration: Several years ago Judy and I purchased an older home in Northport. The home was in good shape; however, it had gotten old and dated. We renovated the house. (new flooring, new closets, new counter tops, new fans, a new yard fence, etc.)
The renovation added a new value and vitality to the home.
You never know what it will take to renew your spiritual life. It could be a devotional passage. It could be a sermon. It could be a crisis. It could be a word from another believer. The means is not the issue. The issue is: when God speaks to you about renewal and rededication, will you listen.
B. Jesus wanted them to return (vs. 3). There needs to be a continual returning to your early spiritual experience.
• There are some things to which you cannot return. You cannot go back to your child hood.
• Excessive returning can cripple you.
• In your faith experience there must be a past. There must be a place to which you can go back. You should be able to identify a time and place when you accepted Jesus Christ and were born again. In your mind you will always be able to go back to that time when you were spiritually re-born.
C. Jesus wanted them to rely on Him (vs. 3). He instructs them to “turn to me.”
Trusting or relying on someone else goes against the grain of human nature.
Illustration: Have you ever seen a trust fall? It is an exercise where two or three people test the faith and trust of another person. Two or three will form a human canopy to catch the person who is exercising his faith.
Why is it important to rely on Jesus?
1. He is the source of spiritual life. (read Jn.14:1-6)
2. He is the sustainer of spiritual life. He will save you but he will also keep you. Look at these verses.
(Ps. 17:8; John 17:11; Jude 1:24; II Tim. 1:12)
