LESSONS FROM THE LETTERS 4

LESSONS FROM THE LETTERS
“HE WANTS A LIVING CHURCH”
(REVELATION 3: 1-6)

Intro:
How do you decide whether or not a church is dead? What criteria do you establish when you are examining a congregation? Some say that a church that is alive has parking problems, while the dead church has plenty of spots available. Others say that a lively church has lots of noisy children, while a dead church is stone cold quiet. There are those who feel that a lively church sings nothing but the latest greatest praise songs, while a dead church is stuck with nothing but the greatest hits from the late 1800’s. There are even those who believe that only living churches possess the knowledge, skill, and ability to use PowerPoint and other technology, while dead churches simply use that old standard known as the Bible.
When you hear this list, you might be tempted to agree with some of these suppositions. However, can I suggest something to you? I want to suggest that true though some of these may be, partial indicators, but they are not 100% reliable. After all, there are many large churches, who couldn’t possibly fit one more car on the lot come Sunday morning, who are dead. Also, there are many churches that have an enormous youth group, but are D.R.T. (Dead Right There) finally; the use of PowerPoint isn’t an indication of deep spirituality, but simply shows an eldership that are willing to try new things in order to help the membership.
Well, what does constitute a dead church? If you will turn to Revelation 3, and examine verses 1-6, you will find a church that isn’t dead, but it has a serious choice to make if they are to avoid death.
Sardis was the capital city of the Lydian monarchy. It was well-known for its vast wealth and riches. This once great city stood until 1402 A.D, at which time it was all but destroyed. By the year 1850, it was reported that no human dwelt within the land which once made up the mighty city of Sardis.
During the height of its might, a congregation of the Lord’s church existed inside the walls of Sardis. In Revelation 3: 1-6, we find Christ addressing those brethren.
The subject of his address is quite simple. He wants the church at Sardis to see that they are dying! The problem for the church is that Christ doesn’t want a dead body, but a living servant!
Today, as we continue to examine the lessons from the letters of Revelation, we want to examine the idea that we need to be alive, if we are to be affective in our work for the Lord.

I. HOW TO KNOW IF A CHURCH IS DEAD

1. Notice what Christ says in verse 1.
A. Rev 3: 1 “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
B. Christ has just revealed that though they ware the name of Christian, they are in fact dead inside.
2. How does Christ make this assertion?
A. Rev 3: 5 “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
B. Matt 10: 32-33 I would suggest to you that one of the problems which Sardis faced was that they were not confessing Christ before men.
C. This means that we confess Christ’s supremacy in terms of salvation, as well as in terms of cultural issues.
3. Secondly, the Church in Sardis was dead because of the sin which stained some of them.
A. Rev 3: 4 “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”
B. You see, the church was being strangled by the sin which plagued some of the members.
C. At the time of the letter, they were unworthy because of their unconfessed sin.
D. So, we understand that a church is dead when it stops confessing Jesus, and allows sin to stain its members.

II. HOW TO BRING A CHURCH BACK FROM THE DEAD

1. The truth is that Christ could have simply dismissed them, and put them out of mind.
A. However, what is interesting is that he took the time to breathe new life into this floundering congregation.
B. Instead of leaving them for dead, Christ offers THREE steps to life.
2. First, they must know that help is available.
A. Rev 3: 1 Christ says that he is the one with the “seven spirits of God”, and “the seven stars.”
B. Rev 1: 20 we know from that first chapter that the stars represent the seven churches.
C. The seven spirits, as noted by Coffman’s commentary, represent The Holy Spirit sent out to the seven churches.
D. What Christ is pointing out to them is that they need God in their midst!
E. Gal 5: 19-23 rather than the spirit of the world, a church wishing to return from the dead need the presence of God, in the form of the fruit of the spirit.
F. Rom 4: 17 God is able to recall the living from the dead, but only when we turn to him for help.
3. Also, they need to pay attention to what’s going on.
A. Rev 3: 2 “Be watchful.”
B. Christ is telling them that they are dying and don’t see it, but they must wake up before it is too late!
C. Christ tells them in verse 2 that they need to build on what is left before it fades away as well.
D. Phil 2: 12 Christ wants to encourage them to take responsibility.
4. Finally, they must remember.
A. Rev 3: 3 “Remember how thou hast received and heard.”
B. Christ wants them to remember all that was suffered that they might call themselves the Church of Christ.
C. Heb 12: 2 remember all that Christ endured!
D. 2Cor 11: 23-27 remember all who suffered to bring the word to you!
E. The church who wants to return from the dead will take these steps quickly, before it is too late!