A Dying Church

The Church in Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6

Review

• Christ is examining 7 churches– Ephesus – Loyal but lacking love– Smyrna – Poor but rich– Pergamum – A compromising church– Thyatira – A weak strong church

• Now we look at the church in Sardis, again beginning with the historical setting

30 miles from Thyatira

Sardis, the cityThe upper city was built on a mountain 1500’ above the valley

Only one way up, easily defended

Sardis, the city

Temple of Artemis Cybele (Not Greek Artemis)

Cybele was a fertility goddess

“Worship” was wild feasts and orgies

Sardis became known as “the Corinth of Asia”

Cybele’s altar

(also used to refine gold)

Sardis, the city

The lower city dominated by a gymnasium / bathhouse

Covered more than 5 acres

The bathhouse

Sardis, the church

• Rev 3:1, the problem– Unlike other letters, the problem comes first

• Dominates the church

– Had a name (reputation) as alive• But really were dead

– No longer active, loving, faithful

Sardis, the church• Rev 3:2-3, the challenge

– Wake up!• Don’t drift away into death

– Strengthen what remains• Not completely gone• Build on the good (more about this later)• Finish what you’ve started

– A sign of impending death is ‘dropping the ball’

– Remember the meaning of the gospel• Keep the words of the gospel• And REPENT!

• Or they’ll be judged as they are (1 Thes 5:2-11)– No more warnings

Sardis, the church

• Rev 3:4, the positive– A few walk worthy

• Judgment is individual

• Not told to ‘find a new church’

– Did not soil their garments• Perhaps in the temple rites

• Perhaps in the gymnasium or bathhouse

Sardis, the church

• Rev 3:5-6, the reward– White garments

• Unsoiled, forgiveness (Zech 3:1-5)

• A victory, celebratory garment

– Name not erased, but confessed• Matt 10:32-33

• Salvation

Lessons for today

• Don’t judge a church by its appearance or reputation, but by its work and heart

• Don’t abandon a dying church, but work harder to save it and save your brethren

• If the gospel hasn’t changed your life, then you either didn’t hear it or you forgot it

• Judgment is personal, the church can’t save you or condemn you– But your actions (or lack thereof) as part of the

church will be judged

Conclusion

• How does Christ view the church?– Does He think it needs ‘spiritual CPR’?– Does He find only a few who walk worthy?– Are our garments clean or soiled?

• If they’re soiled, He offers a way to clean them– Why not get ready now?