The Letter to the church in Sardis

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The Letter to the church in Sardis

• Revelation 31-6

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The City of Sardis

• One of the worlds great trading centers because
  of its location on the junction of five different
  roads.
• It was well known for its wealth.
• It was once the capital of Lydia.
• Sardis is plural, for it was made up of two
  parts.
• An old city atop a great cliff.
• The newer city on the valley floor below.

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The City of Sardis

• The old city, though located about 1500 ft. above
  the valley floor atop precipitous cliffs, was
  known for not watching.
• Twice in its history it was conquered when enemy
  soldier climbed up the cliffs and took the city
  by surprise.
• This will come into play in the letter.

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The Letter to Sardis

• Speaker
• He who has the seven spirits of God
• Sevencomplete or full measure (John 334).
• 56 equates this with his being all seeing, or
  having all power and wisdom.
• And the Seven stars.
• Seven angels or messengers (120).
• He knows their works!

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What was Right with the church?

• Nothing good mentioned.
• Even the worst of the other churches had some
  things that were right.
• But not Sardis.
• What was the difference?

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What was wrong with the church?

• That you have a name that you are alive, but you
  are dead.
• As a congregation this church may have been well
  known.
• They certainly had a name, for the letter is
  addressed to them.
• But the fact that they existed was no indication
  of their spiritual condition.

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What was wrong with the church?

• That you have a name that you are alive, but you
  are dead.
• Good appearance.
• Good reputation.
• YET THEY WERE DEAD!

Attendance, giving, how much work we are doing is
no indication of our spiritual condition. If it
Is not by faith, in love, and according to truth
it is nothing.
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What was wrong with the church?

• I have not found your works perfect before God.
• They were doing works, but their works were not
  perfect they were not complete.
• Not doing the whole will of God!
• Starting some works, but never finishingnot
  faithful to the end
• 2 Cor. 810-12 Need for completing our good
  works.

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Admonitions

• Be watchful
• The city was known for not watching.
• The church must overcome such an attitude.
• All must be watchful for error, sin, waiting and
  watching for the Lords coming.
• Strengthen the things that remain
• Encourage and build up the good qualities that
  are left.
• They are ready to die, but dont let it happen.
• Finish what you start.

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Admonitions

• Remember how you have received and heard
• When we receive the gospel it is with zeal and
  diligence.
• First principles which established us in the
  faithoften forgotten throughout the years.
• Initial dedication to God
• Hold fast Hang on tight, preserve what is left
  and develop it.
• Repent
• Turn from apathy, sluggishness and imperfect
  works.
• Renew again your diligence to do all the works
  that God has given.

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Warning

• I will come upon you as a thief
• Thieves are a threat to those who are not
  watching (Matt. 2443).
• If we are not watching and perfecting our works
  then Jesus will comes as a thief and we will not
  be ready.
• We will be like the five foolish virgins who were
  not allowed entrance (Matt. 251ff).
• You will not know what hour I will come upon you.
  
• Faithful Christians are always ready for when the
  Lord comes.
• Those who are not faithful do not make themselves
  ready, they do not make their works perfect for
  the coming of their master.

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Exhortation

• A few who have not defiled their garments.
• A few who were not given to spiritual death and
  decay.
• They had not let their guard down, not become
  apathetic.
• Not become blind to the sins of the world.

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Promise

• They shall walk with Me in white
• Those who continue in faithfulness and diligence
  will have their reward with Christ (1 Cor.
  1558).
• Robes of white-purity, for they have not allowed
  themselves to be defiled.
• Not blot his name out of the book of life.
• The book in which all the saved are written.
• Notice Once our name is in that book it can
  still be removed.
• We need continued faithfulness.

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Promise

• I will confess His name before the Father.
• Confess His name as having been forgiven.
• Having been made righteous by His blood.
• If we confess Jesus with our mouths and with our
  lives, He will confess us before the Father as
  belonging to Him (Matt. 1032).
• Do you have an ear to hear?