The Church of Sardis - 11

We are studying and uninteresting portion of the word of God were in the book of the Revelation and we are in the midst of the seven letters to the churches of Asia minor today were looking at the church of Sardis the fifth of the seven churches, and most of the time when we come to the word of God. We are mindful of application to individual people were thinking of what this is.

Had to say to me how is this to affect my life. How am I to live in the light of what I'm hearing and what's unique about this portion of the word of God is it's directed to churches. So sometimes we say well how do I relate you talking about the churches of the church itself. I could maybe understand application to the pastor of the leadership in the deacons and the elders, but well let me try and help you with that quandary. If that's a concern you have. Churches are made up of people is people that make up churches so there is application for us. I've had the experience of searching for a church on two different occasions in my life and here's a blueprint of what a church ought to look like as we consider the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have a Bible that you read letter. You'll notice that chapters to in chapters 3 are red letter. These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ to his churches, and therefore there are very applicable and appropriate for leadership to consider what does God approve of in a church. What does he. In condemning the church so's were thinking this morning here in Revelation chapter 3 I want to begin by asking the question about reputation because this is what we find in verse one into the angel of the church in Sardis write these things says he who has the seven spirits of God. The seven stars I know your works, that you have a name you may have a translation that says and you have a reputation that's the idea you have a name or you have a reputation that you are alive, but you are dead churches develop reputations there churches all around us. And if you were visiting this area and you happen, inquisitive and interested in what is unique about various churches and you were with somebody who was knowledgeable in the area you be driving by the church. They probably was and what I church is a reputation of being what a Bible believing church or that church is a mission minded church or not a church that very active there they were. The program oriented. There's always something going on at that church. I've had people say lots of fun church. I don't know any church that would aspire to be known as a fun church. Nothing commendable about that per se.

The serious minded church, a mission minded church. Let's a fundamental church that's a reformed church that's a historic church I candidate it it at a church about the same time I was canna dating here number of years ago and when I went to that church.

The candidate and begin to talk to the pulpit committee and became very clear to me that this was a historic church. They were going to be celebrating their centennial celebration hundred year anniversary and what was driving the agenda with the pulpit committee is they were looking for a pastor to be in place for the hundred year anniversary. They were looking for a live body and I began to ask questions and became real clear to me very early on that I wasn't the man for that church churches develop reputations over time.

I recall talking to a man who was a member of the church for significant period of time and the church at a stellar reputation sound church a serious minded church a word centered church reform church a conservative church all the things that we would look to and say you know that that's all speaks of a very God honoring strong Bible believing church and he said to me is unconcerned.

Somebody concerned about.

He said well I mentioned the pastor's name by the way, is not this church, so get that out of your head. He says the senior pastor's been here near over 40 years and he's not going to be here forever and I'm concerned about where this church is going when steps aside when he leaves the scene and I said will visitor leadership in place to continue on in the same direction. He said, well, I've seen things coming and that have concerned me.

So whatever churches reputation might be today in the passing of time and may change now, let's talk for a moment about reputation not talking about your individual reputation. We probably have a reputation is people talking about churches. How significant is reputation of the church because Sardis had a reputation you know what the reputation of Sardis was reputation of Sardis was that's a church that's a lot.

Whatever that means but the reputation didn't mean anything because the sovereign Lord of the church said I don't care about your reputation. Your your church despite your reputation this morning as we consider the church in Sardis. I want us to follow this pattern in verse one.

There is a word description of the head of the church and we've found that in each one of the churches and was going to see that again. It's different for each of the churches organ.

Look at that word description of the head of the church. Number two were going to consider his diagnosis.

All of the spiritual condition of the church that is the church of Sardis number three were going to look at his prescribed remedy for the church and then lastly I want us to consider and look at a threefold promise to a believing remnant in the church.

So first let's look at verse one says and to the angel of the church in Sardis write these things says he who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you did, what is the description here of Christ, the head of the church. These things says he who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars say seven spirits seven stars what what what what I would understand that well you remember back in chapter 1, we considered that there was the mystery of the seven stars and the seven candlesticks and what all that meant we had Jesus giving us the answer to that mystery. In verse 20 the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. So here is a picture of he who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

Let's start with what is clear and obvious. That is defined here in Scripture. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and Angel. There Greek word speaks of messenger and commentators of our divided on whether that's an angel, an actual angel that is dispensed to the church and is being written to the represents that church, a guardian angel of the church or whether the word angel is more generic and messenger that here are instructions being given to the elder.

The pastor or the shepherd of that church and I've taken since I began the study. That's what I think is in mine doesn't make much sense that we would be a B written to an angel of the church.

Now this is I believe letters being written to the leadership, the elder, the pastor, the under shepherd of the church. The seven spirits notice he says he who has the seven spirits of God. The seven spirits is mentioned in Revelation chapter 1 in verse four in the salutation and the seven spirits may also refer to Isaiah chapter 11 in verse two were we have a description of the spirit of the Lord, a sevenfold description of the spirit of the Lord that he's the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel. He's the spirit of strength ease the spirit of knowledge is the spirit of the Lord and he is the fear of the Lord. So, I believe, here is the reference to the Holy Spirit in his fullness, so Jesus Christ here is represented in his church through the Holy Spirit. The imagery in the language here shows Christ the sovereign Lord of the church mediating his rule through his appointed messengers, elders, pastors under shepherd to whichever designation you like. Make all referring to the same office now. I think that's important and I want you to see this pattern. Each one of these churches is addressed, and that the very beginning we have these words suggest flip back to your Bible and will walk through these five churches that we've already looked at and you'll see this repetition. Chapter 2 verse one these things says he each one of the churches is going to say that these things says he. But what follows these things says he is unique to the condition and the circumstances that are going on in that particular church. And it draws from the vision that John had received of Christ and his glory that's recorded in chapter 1 verse nine through verse 20, so it's borrowing language from that portion of that vision. So again the church of Ephesus. These things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.

Chapter 2 verse eight, the church of Smyrna. These things says the first and the last two was dead and came to life.

Chapter 2 verse 12 the church at Pergamum's these things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword. Chapter 2 in verse 18 the church of fire attire these things says the son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass those words speak of authority speak of judgment, and there was judgment being threatened hereupon the church and here we are in chapter 3, these things says he who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead and wondered why those words and not other words from that vision. Related to this church. Why not words of judgment toward this church and I don't I don't have an answer for that is just I think it's interesting to see what is being said that, he is the sovereign Lord of the church, even when the churches in horrible condition. He has purposes for that church and working to see that in a moment so that opening statement concerning the Lord of the church. Now the diagnosis of the spiritual condition of the church. What is the diagnosis. Notice what it says I know your works, that you have a name or reputation that you are alive, but you are dead. Christ, the head of the church says I know something that is true of you despite your reputation despite your reputation of being a healthy alive church you are in fact dead dead. What a horrible reputation. What a horrible reality for Christ, the head of the church look upon a church and examine the church you knows everything there is the know nothing is hidden from him. He knows it all he says is I look at this church evaluate this church. This is a church. Anybody interested in being a part of a dead church.

No, no, were not interested in being part of the church. This church is a dead church. Now the church was active. The church was busy it was working at church. Notice what he says I know your works wasn't liked everything it come to a screeching halt.

Nothing was happening. The church doors were closed know there was work that was busyness going on. They were working at church, but all their effort all their work spoke of death.

They had a form of godliness but is Paul would say, denied its power and the question is how does that happen. How does the church go from being alive to being dead back to reputation. There was a time that this charge had a reputation of being alive church is alive God is at work, God is active in the church people are being saved. Work is going on God honoring activities going on that was the reputation that I do not much time and elapsed reality is that the church's reputation belied the reality that it was dead again question.

How does that happen where's how it happens, it happens slowly at happens incrementally. It happens from 1° of compromise to another. It didn't happen overnight. It didn't happen overnight but a friend of mine who went to pastor a church that had a reputation of being a revolving door but every three or four years may not move out of the parsonage, so some other new man could move into the parsonage and my friend felt led to go there and he went and this short time into his pastorate.

One of the influential men in the church came to him and said pastor I was gonna put my cards on the table here with you in love with you. I'm not real sure I'm on board and the rest of the church is on board in the direction you want to take this church, I hear you want to revive the church on here. You want to do this for the church that for the church. He says Melissa I just want you to know I'm not going be a troublemaker. I'm not going to be a thorn in your side and I want to tell you why, because were going to tolerate you for two or three years, you will leave and somebody else will come. You're not the most important person in the church you're not going to change the church. The church is been like this for years and is going to can gain you to be like this. Regardless of your presence. What puts wind in your sails as a preacher doesn't know so I said my friend us and what we gonna do. He says I'm gonna keep on keeping on as God called Jeremiah. God called Isaiah told me to go preach and guess why why you preaching not listen to you, but go preach anyway. So I said if that's my lot. I'm to be faithful to the Lord, and if I leave the gun after run me off when you know what happened. They ran them off. They ran them off. I know this is a bit of an open oversimplification, but you know from time to time I have opportunity to talk to people about criteria looking for church there, moving, and the want to know you.

What I look for in a church and again this is a oversimplification, but I think the church a good church of God honoring church is lease these three things. It's a church number one of high walls. It's a place where false doctrine and false teachers have a hard time getting in because it's a safe place. The walls are high.

The leadership is on guard the leadership is alert, the leadership is going to spot false doctrine false teaching danger whenever it comes, walls, and the shepherd and the under shepherds are going to be on it so church number one is a place of high walls number two. The church is a place of green pastures I mean by that I mean a place where she got sheep can be fed or you can grow as a child of God. Number three. Church is a place of loving, caring, godly shepherds I candidate it at a church, not the previous one. I talked about it. That was a very short interview. I could tell very quickly that first church I was talking to you about one of the men on the committee says to me is how I will ask you question. Is it okay he says what you think about black people come to the church.

I said well what I believe about the black people come to the church will none of pastor were going up shepherd whoever God brings to the church. Whatever the color skin is also what he was looking for that alerted me is not a place I want to be part of.

But this particular church. I went to I preach the message I thought you know what we know sleight-of-hand with me they're going to know who I am going to know what I propose to be the Lord would direct me here. I preach the message from Jeremiah chapter 3 and verse 15 here we have God giving a promise to his New Testament church that's fulfilled in chapter 4, I will give unto them shepherds who will teach and pastor teachers who will equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. So Ephesians chapter 4 verse six is the fulfillment of the promise that God made in Jeremiah chapter 15 I preached a message from Jeremiah 315. This is what pastor ought to be this what a church to be looking for in a pastor number one here is and I will give you shepherds. According to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding seems pretty simple doesn't were looking for men who have a heart for God, I will give you shepherds. According to my heart and ears. Their job description. Here's what there to do what what what should they do feed you with knowledge and understanding boy mean everybody to church doesn't get dad to the job description of the pastor. No, not if you want to God honoring pastor not you want to church that honors God. Not if you want find a man who's committed to this biblical model that's it right there and the reason I think these letters are addressed to the angel of the church or the messenger of the church or to the leadership of the church is because as goes the leadership of the church, so goes the church how long it takes for a church to begin to take on the personality and the character of the leadership of the church on where that takes five years, seven years, 10 years, but after period of time. The church begins to emulate. The church begins to mirror the church begins to look like the leadership of the church. So again, how does a church get to the place where God's evaluation is that it's a dead church. Well, instead of evaluating the church on scriptural terms, letting the Bible set the church's course and direction.

It begins to take its cue from the culture in the world instead of being a wholly separate people. Church begins to take on the compromising virtues of the world. Instead of evaluating the church. According to biblical pattern and biblical standards seems that most of the time. The only the only evaluation is how does the church look as we think of the three B's three B's buildings do they have a building.

Is it a functional building is an unattractive billing doesn't have curb appeal. While all those things are to check that good buildings that have gymnasiums that have this does it have fellowship all that out. Check that buildings bodies only. People go there is, are people there is her youth ministries or children's ministries of how many people go there all, there's quite a few people check that budget, how they doing financially. All their healthy David got money to buy.

Check that all there is a good church buildings bodies and bucks really that's evaluation better be more going on than that Christ diagnosis of the church. I know your works, that you have a name or reputation that you are alive, but you are dead. Let's consider number three. The prescribed remedy.

You say prescribed remedy what remedy is there for death is a dead church. Well, the only remedy is an infusion of life.

Now the overall evaluation is that it was a dead church but not everything's dead. Notice what it says in verse three, verse two be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die so price evaluation is the church is a dead church there's death and decay going on all around the church is on life support. But there's still hope, because he says strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die so there's the prospect of recovery here from the deathbed, as it were, and there is a fivefold remedy here, a fivefold prescribed remedy and let me point out the words that this all hinges no on verses two and three. Note the word watchful, be watchful.

That's our first word or second word is strengthen strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.

Verse three remember, remember, it's a good word on Memorial Day weekend were number four phrase number four holdfast, and in the last part of this route remedy prescribed is repent. So five things let's look at them all was not lost. This church still had a pulse would barely it was ready to die. So he says be watchful, be watchful. Your Bible may say wake up there's no time when the church is in this condition there is no time for indifference, the believing remnant, whoever they are, however many they are, they are few. Jesus tells us that there is a few the makeup this believing remnant. What must they do surrender give way to the pressure give way to the people who are the law allowed us the most influential no get involved confront sin and error and make a difference know another man went to a church he brought an evaluation of the church and the church leadership had to swallow hard and say you know what is painful to hear what you're saying about the church but you're right.

There's compromising the church.

There's worldliness in the church there sin in the church and God's answer for that is, it must be confronted and those who want repent, need to be disciplined and are willing to support that wise for him to deal with that on the front end. But guess what, when it came down to roll up your sleeves and get down in the in the dirt in dealing with sin in the church people had little tolerance for that all not wait a minute. Yeah, I remember we said this, but we didn't mean that you're not to discipline him. He's this ease that he if he leaves his family is going to leave the church will be careful so the first part of this remedy is to be watchful is my Bible says to wake up to strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. There are some things that have not completely lost vitality.

They can be strengthened by know what they are and give attention to that strengthen that and it varies from church to church elements. As you know then but a prayer meeting the church for 15 years. I believe in prayer, said okay so we going to do well not to call prayer meeting, because only be two or three people show up to work on a prayer. Whoever will show up. It it do it the pet parsonage were going to pray, and if God blesses that effort and more more people want to come then will move into the church strengthen what remains those of the means of grace.

That's what God is called a pastor to do to give himself to what prayer the ministry of the word just because there's no prayer going on in the church, you better not abandon your calling, strengthen, strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die for. He says, for I have not found your works perfect before God, no, that's an interesting phrase and can be misleading.

There's nothing about any church that's perfect before God. All that we are everything the church is is mediated through the righteousness of Christ aware perfect as God sees us through the mediation of his son.

I've not found your works perfect before God. Complete is another a better word I think than the word we get perfect, but our third word they were going to key off here for our remedy is, remember, remember therefore how you have received and heard remember there was a time evidently in the church where the word of God was preached. It was taught and he saying he sang.

Remember remember therefore how you have received and heard somebody is come in and hijack the ministry of the word taken the church off in another direction.

I'm reading between the lines. That's what often goes on to church, a romance, a list all I am is in expositor all I am is a man opens up the word of God and declares, thus saith the Lord, with application leadership sent him over looking for somebody that's got more more more on form than that within what what you looking for somebody is telling okay what I want somebody who's got youthful enthusiasm. Okay, but what's implied I'm a man who opens word of God preaches the word of God, that one can be enough. So as the press that they said to him while we we tried that we had men like that in and nothing worked.

Church didn't grow. Pray not look for somebody more, according to your liking. No remember.

Remember return to sound teaching return to sound preaching.

That's what he say number four holdfast holdfast holdfast to what holdfast a sound doctrine. The last thing he says is repent, repent, see sound orthodoxy without the corresponding obedient life is deficient, not interested in just sound doctrine that was what was true of the Ephesian church, minus law they had known of member in a work they were criticized for that. Then later on we have a church folder full of love, but it's detached from truth. We love everybody would tolerate anything we tolerate every sin that came under condemnation. No repent. He says repent, then there's a warning. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what our I will come upon you, and it's a threat of judgment.

It's a threat of Christ coming and judging the church condemning the church once and forever. So that's the prescribed remedy to a car. It says you are a dead church but it is a dying church. Verse two so it's halfway between completely dead with no hope and again on life support.

But then what's the last thing we see here the last thing that is a threefold promise to a believing remnant notice verse four again he is writing to this church, you have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

What is implied with that even in Sardis you have a few names this who have not sold who have not compromise is not the father garments a believing remnant even in that place. I think a good many of us have talked to people who have or in churches that are unhealthy and gotta save them and their struggling the wrestling to why leave do I stay is my presence there a good influences if if everybody who's saved leaves the church. What will happen and it's hard to tell someone emphatically and dogmatically get that church because we have here a dying church, a dead church yet. There's a believing remnant in the church. What is Christ saying he has a promise to those remnant who stayed in that church and what is it notice with me threefold promise. They still number one walk with him in white garments number two. Their names shall not be blotted out of the book of life, and number three. Jesus shall confess their names before his father noticed that you have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments white garments or symbol of righteousness of holiness and of purity. The promise here looks the day of glorification when we shall be delivered finally and forever from the very presence of sin. From the very possibility of ever sinning with the glorious prospect of never being able to sin. Can you imagine that Thomas Watson wrote a great book if you ever get your hands on it. It's an old book he wrote in 1620, was a Puritan and is entitled to fourfold state of man. I got the book I read it in Ottawa.

I was in seminary did a book report on in the seminary processes where you find that book. I remember where I found says this is this appropriate is all yeah yeah read that book. I'm thankful I read that book he talks about fourfold state of man from the garden to the fall and to the condition of a man is redeemed before the fall it was possible for someone to see or not to sin. His will was free in that sense. But after the fall man was bound in sin and the only choice he had was to Sandy was a slave to sin, but in Christ.

Those who are redeemed now have been restored back to the place Adam was in the guard we can see in or we can choose not to sin and then that glorious fourth fold state of man being delivered from not only the penalty of sin in the presence of sin or the power of sin with the very presence of sin being in a place being in a state not even all the sin. Can you imagine the desire isn't there to send the temptations out there to send the manifestation of sin is gone.

The only thing you're able to do in that state is pursue righteousness and live pure live holy. I'm ready for that. You ready for that you looking for that while the second promise.

Here he says he will overcomes shall be clothed in white garments. I will not blot out his name from the book of life. The book of life. In that book written before the foundation of the world. The names are written of those who are chosen unto everlasting life and glory in Christ, the head of the church assures this faithful remnant that their name shall not be erased from the role of God's elect and I had people look at that and say well you think it's possible to have your name erased from the book of life. Know what you get that idea you'll get it from the he just says your names will not be removed from the book of life. They were put there before the foundations of the world. Again, what's the promise and to whom is it made to those who are faithful and do not defiled their garments have the promise that in that day when the roll is called up yonder they'll be there. That's the promise their names will not be removed from the book of life, say I'm a question and the question is how do you live in this world of ever-increasing defilement and not be contaminated and defiled herself how you do that then would all say as believers is getting harder and harder to do that right getting easier.

This world is no friend of Grace. There's more snares. There's more dangers. There's more landmines than ever before. So how how do you live because this promises to those who do not father garments, how do we do that well. The only way I know that we do that is we gotta do it intentionally, and we must do it by grace. Titus chapter 2 says for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should do three things we should live soberly, righteously, and godly where in this present world that tells me that God will enable and grant grace DOS that will enable us to live soberly, righteously, and godly.

Despite the wickedness and defilement.

It's all around us and we need to do that, looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who did what gave himself for us that he might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for himself a people zealous on the good works. That's the only way that's the only way and enters 1/3 aspect of this promise.

What is that again he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments.

I will not blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before my father and before his angels, Jesus will say on that day to his father before his father.

Yes father.

These are mind that you gave to me.

I've died for them. I've kept them and they have been faithful and have not defiled themselves, and are therefore worthy to enter with me into your everlasting glory and utterly no credit to us. That'll be all that he is praise, honor and glory.

God has hardwired salvation and his plan of redemption in such a way if you understand it. According to the way God is revealed.

It there is no place there is no ground. There is no way you'll ever be able to stand before God and take any credit you won't ever be able to say when you know what III may not things got hard on their I mean it really got hard. It really got dark.

It really got the filing it really got corrupt and I just try not say one glad you put forth effort but you know what. The only reason you hang hung on it because I was hold the rope right you hang onto a rope with the rope in the testis on strongly your daughter.

So yes, we must put forth effort, but it's the effort that is spirit induced, and Spirit empowered hears instructions for a church that's dead and dying.

Don't leave your essay or the preacher said, here's the instructions of four in a dead church or dying church. That's not what this says not saying that there is in the time that you better get out summer here this morning and that's exactly what you did you got out of a dead church. You probably have no regrets that you did just don't carry a burden for those who were still there, you're wondering, so maybe you'll get a little grace to them and realize you know what God's able to keep them even in Sardis, believing remnant the reflect his glory.

Give hope to those who are lost and looking to him.

Let's pray father, thank you for your word.

Thank you for Christ, the head of the church. Thank you that were not left to wonder what he commands and what he condemns because we haven't here in these letters to his churches. Thank you for this church. Thank you for its history. Thank you for its tradition, and thank you for its reputation in God, but may you ever guard that reputation.

That 10 years, 20 years from now.

Whatever's commendable commendable about this church will continue to be commendable about this church and that the church will continue to grow and advance and be more effective for him who loved his church and gave himself for we pray in Jesus name, amen