Springville Road Community Church
"Knowing God... Making God Known"
 


Text: Revelation 3:1-6

Setting-Sardis was about 30 miles south of Thyatira.  Sardis was known for 3 things.  The first was being a fortified city.  Rock walls were around the city and rose up to as high as several hundred feet.  There was one exception, the south side of the city.  Secondly, the city was known for the temple Artemis, equaled to the size of the famous temple in Ephesus.  The third distinctive feature of Sardis was the necropolis.  You could see the “cemetery of a thousand hills” as far as 7 miles away. -  John Walvoord 

I. Identity (vs.1)
  A. The Identity of the Lord Jesus
      1. He (the Lord Jesus) is referred to as the “ He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars.”  The phrase “the seven Spirits of God” refers to the Holy Spirit in all His fullness.  Isaiah 11 describes the Holy Spirit as: the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, and knowledge.  As you go to the New Testament the gospel of John refers to Him as the Comforter and the One who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.    
      2. “He who has the messengers.”  These messengers were not only His representatives, but were held onto by the Lord Himself.
  
  B. The Identity of the Church-the church of Sardis had the name (reputation) of being alive.  However, the Lord Jesus reveals to them their true condition.


II. Instruction (vs.2-3)
     A. Wake up-is a command to reverse their attitude.
     B. Strengthen the things that remain-the word strengthen means to make stable.  While the church was in certainly a dire situation, it was not hopeless.
     C. Remember-the word means “to bring to mind” what had been given them.
     D. Keep (obey)-they were to hold on to the truth.
     E. Repent-they were to turn at once from whatever was causing them to become spiritually lethargic.  They needed to submit to the authority of Christ in their lives.


III. Incentive (vs.4-6) 
     A. People-described here as only a few.  These few were walking in obedience to Christ.
     B. Promises
        1. They will wear white robes.
        2. Their salvation is secure-names not to be erased.
        3. The Lord Jesus will confess them before His Father and the angels.

  

Direct download: 04-22-2012-am.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 10:30am CDT