Sermons on Spiritually Dead Churches:

The Dead Church

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Jan 21, 2023

Many churches all over the world are dead churches. Why? Because they have forsaken the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are still living on past victories and faded glory from long past. They are not living the daily life with Christ the Lord and as such, have now grown cold to the Gospel.

Please turn in your Bibles to Revelation Chapter 3, as today we are going to look at verses 1-6, Jesus’ warning to the church at Sardis. John MacArthur, in his exposition of these verses, used an illustration that has stuck with me. I would like to begin with it. He talked about the phenomenon ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:27-28, Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Dead Church Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Feb 26, 2004

Jesus addresses several churches in the nook of Revelation. One of the churches is called a dead church. The question we need to consider is are we a dead church? Are we dead spiritually?

"A Dead Church" Introduction: Each week in America, paramedics arrive on the scene of an accident where the victim has crossed the barrier between life and death. There is no heartbeat. Breathing has stopped. All the vital signs of life are absent. But the paramedics do not accept this death as ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Walking Dead

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Aug 25, 2013

Christians are constantly coming in contact with the walking dead around us. Jesus talked about the walking dead when He spoke to the Pharisees about being dead inside. Jesus also warned the Laodicean Church that they were dead as well.

The Walking Dead Last week I talked to yall about five signs that showed that we are spiritually alive. It’s good to be spiritually alive isn’t it? What about being spiritually dead? How much fun is that? How many of us remember when we were still spiritually dead? All of us at one time ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Dead Church Series

Contributed by Mark Perryman on Jan 11, 2008

Looking at the 5th church in Revelation

INTRO: Clayton Carpenter, one of the first casualties of Dessert Storm, was a helicopter pilot shot down was listed as KIA (killed in action). After the war, prisoners were released and Clayton Carpenter was one of them. As soon as he was freed, he called his mom back home in Kansas. Called, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Is The Church Dead? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 25, 2008

Some today proclaim that the church is an archaic thing of the past and that the church Jesus envisioned isn’t anything like church as we know it today. So let’s go back and examine what church is really supposed to be. And it’s all summed up on one word.

Is the church a thing of the past? So much has been written lately about the demise of the church. Our post modern age seems finished with something so antiquated and old fashioned as the church. In fact, Robert H. Schuller, successor to the Crystal Cathedral said” I think we are entering an era in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Dead Church?

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Oct 18, 2000

When people speak of "dead churches," they normally mean something derorgatory. However, in this sermon, when I speak of a "dead church," I am speaking about a kind of church that every pastor would love to have.

A DEAD CHURCH? INTRODUCTION: When people speak of "dead churches," they normally mean something derorgatory. They are usually trying to say that the church services are not as lively as one might prefer, or that the church is not reaching out to the community. However, in this sermon, when I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Galatians 2:19-21

The Dead Church Series

Contributed by Rodney Kelley on Apr 1, 2006

Sermon Six of a series

The Dead Church Revelation 3:1-6 Have you ever heard of the company that makes blank bumper stickers? They’re for people who don’t want to get involved and do not want to offend anyone. That is how we see many religious groups in our modern day. So called preachers place their voices on the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Spiritually Alive Or Dead? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 25, 2023

Encourages the church to rise, stirred by the Spirit of God, to bring hope and clarity in a world filled with fear and uncertainty.

Good morning, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a joy and a privilege to stand before you all today, under the banner of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we gather here, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the divine symphony that our Heavenly Father is ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-2

Topics: Growth, Jesus

The Spiritually Dead Christian Series

Contributed by Jacob Burdette on Dec 4, 2023

A look at those who were once Christians but are now spiritually dead.

The Spiritually Dead Christian If you have your Bible, please open it to Revelation 3. We are going to look at a lot of scripture today, but that is where we will start. A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew. She would occasionally walk around to see each ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Dead Church Wake Up! Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 23, 2022

When a church has a good reputation, much activity and past accomplishment it does not guarantee a spiritually alive church.

George Barna in his book Turnaround Churches, profiles thirty churches that were about to die and made a turnaround. He compares dying churches to the Sears Catalogue. For about 100 years Sears was the symbol of mail order catalogue business. They introduced their mail order catalogue in 1894. For ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Dead Or Alive Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jun 14, 2022

What does it mean for a church be spiritually dead or truly alive?

Dead or Alive lanny smith Seven / Sardis / Revelation 3:1–6   • Three years ago this month, I had a table saw accident which damaged two fingers on my left hand. • It was, like most injuries, completely avoidable. • I hurried. • I took a shortcut. • I was inattentive to the risk. • It is a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Matthew 10:32-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Alarming Signs Of A Dead Churchs. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 22, 2025

In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ addressed seven churches in Asia, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ addressed seven churches in Asia, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. To the church at Sardis, He said, "You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (Revelation 3:1). This warning serves as a reminder that even churches with a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20, Matthew 7:16

Sardis: Socially Active But Spiritually Dead

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 3, 2020

Sardis was the fifth church Jesus addressed in the Revelation. While the letter was shorter than the others, this one was the most severe. Apparently, Sardis has assimilated into the culture - with little difference known between the church and the world.

Sardis: Socially Active but Spiritually Dead Revelation 3: 1-6 As we continue to examine the churches to whom John sent letters, we come to the fifth – the church at Sardis. Of the seven, the message to Sardis was the most severe. They were content to rely on prior works and a reputation from the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Part 8 - Sardis: The Church Alive But Dead Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on May 21, 2020

Can a church have the appearance of being alive organizationally but dead spiritually? Jesus identifies that church in his message to Sardis

Grace Community Church Winchester, VA www.gracecommunity.com View this sermon at https://youtu.be/3TRIaa_CqZQ Introduction We are now looking at the 5 of 7 Churches addressed to by Jesus himself in the Book of Revelation. These churches were located in the Roman Province of Asia Minor, which is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:62, John 14:26, 1 John 1:9-10, 1 John 4:1-4, Isaiah 1:18, Revelation 22:14, Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 6:10-11, Revelation 3:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Sardis - The Dead Church Series

Contributed by Dan Campbell on Feb 24, 2003

Warner Sallman was a gifted American artist and illustrator. During WWII his popular and sympathetic Head of Christ inspired and comforted millions. More that 500 million copies of his portrait have been printed.

THE REVELATION OF JESUS SARDIS - THE DEAD CHURCH Revelation 3: 1-6 Warner Sallman was a gifted American artist and illustrator. During WWII his popular and sympathetic Head of Christ inspired and comforted millions. More that 500 million copies of his portrait have been printed. Among ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God