Sermon Central
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The 7 Churches Of Revelation (Part 2) Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 16, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: This concludes our examination of the 7 churches of Revelation, and each of these churches has a very specific letter given to it. Although sometimes subtle, there is a very common theme to each letter: a church that allows the world to influence it is NOT being faithful to Jesus Christ.
Alpha and Omega, Part 27, Revelation Part 4
The 7 Churches of Revelation (Part 2)
Introduction
- Today we will conclude our examination of the 7 churches of Revelation
-- Last week: Each of these churches has a very specific letter given to it
-- Although sometimes subtle, there is a very common theme to each letter
-- A church that allows the world to influence it is NOT being faithful to Christ
- Read Revelation 3:1-22 / Pray
- Back of the notes is a small summary of each church letter for your information
- FACT: These letters could be representative of ALL churches then
-- Which could mean these could be representative of ALL the churches today!
-- How? The characteristics of the churches reveal same challenges we face today
- CHALL: What if each church took an honest inventory of their environment?
-- Could we not discover areas for improvement, commendation, or rebuke?
-- I would offer a thought that we could – and we should – look at our church
-- Why? Because God’s word is alive – and it ought to be our measuring stick
MAP OF 7 CHURCHES – Quick refresher of the locales of each (Turkey)
Point 1 – The Church of Sardis (v1-6)
- Sardis is the perfect example of a church that is dying – living on reputation
-- One that is resting on its past successes and not interested in growing
-- EX: Focus is always on what great things we did in the past
-- But there is nothing new to celebrate – no one knew has been brought to Jesus
- As Jesus reveals Himself to this church, we are reminded of His authority
-- He comes with the full Spirit of God; empowered with all supremacy (v1)
-- He also reminds the church that the ministers (7 stars) are in His hands
- IMP LESSON: A dying church needs to focus on two things:
• Jesus Christ and the mission of the Gospel
• It’s leadership doing what it is called to do (preach the truth)
Name means: After the capital of the Lydian Empire, very large city
Commendation: This church receives NO commendation from Jesus!
-- Consider this: there is nothing this church is doing that brings good news
Complaint:
• It is a dying, or lifeless, church (no spiritual fruit)
• The church had works, but they are without the guidance of the Spirit
• It is dying (or dead) spiritually – examples:
o Has a form of worship but denies the power of it
o Focuses on their activities instead of Jesus Christ
o Became formal in the worship instead of alive in Christ
o Services are held as social gatherings instead of true worship
o Used their “history” to celebrate themselves vs. growing
- Such a church can be convinced they are alive and well – but be dead
-- This church is exactly that – they look vibrant, but they are a rotting corpse
Counsel:
• Watch and strengthen your works until you have life
o If what we are doing is not bringing people to Jesus, it must go
o This is the calling of a church … not to be a social club!
o EX: Stop having church just to be seen and be in the building
o APP: Church is NOT an event; it is where we exalt Jesus and grow
• Strengthen what little remains – or, do what brings people to Jesus! (v2)
o Jesus tells them that even their past works are unfinished
o He tells them to give immediate attention to these things (v3)
? EX: Finish what you started, be faithful to the Gospel
? Stop relying on the past to be “good enough”
Warning:
• Remember how you received the instruction before?
• Consider: When they first heard the gospel how did it impact them?
• Must repent! Desperately need to confess their sins and change
• They must know the judgment of Christ is upon them – and it will fall harshly if they do not change their ways (v3)
Promised Reward:
• Those who have not defiled themselves will be rewarded
• They will be clothed in white (given new clothes, and given a new life)
• Not be blotted out of the book of life (this is the Lamb’s book, forgiveness)
• They will be acknowledged by Christ in the presence of God
- Heard that before? Matthew 10:32-33, “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”
Point 2 – The Church of Philadelphia (v7-13)
- Philadelphia is a representation of a church that alive and faithful to Jesus
