How to Kill A Church Lesson from Sardis

How to Kill A Church Lesson from Sardis the Church of the Living Dead Revelation 3: 1 -6

The Church At Sardis Revelation. 3: 1 -6 • Sardis was one of the oldest and most important cities in Asia Minor until it was destroyed by an earthquake in A. D. 17 • Sardis was a third-rate city at the time John wrote Revelation • The history of Sardis matched the history of the church – once alive, now dead

The Church At Sardis Revelation. 3: 1 -6 • Jesus is in control – “he that has…” – In control to punish (3: 3; 1 Thess. 5: 2 ff) – In control to reward (3: 5; Rev. 20: 15) • Jesus knows all – “I know your works…” • Sardis had a “name” (reputation) • Sardis was living, but dead (1 Tim. 5: 6) • Reputation vs. actual spiritual condition • What killed this church ?

How to Kill A Church • Unlived Truth (3: 1 -2) – Their works were started but unfinished – Faith without works is dead (Jas. 2: 17, 26) – People see unlived truth… • Other brethren (Gal. 2: 14) • The world (1 Pet. 2: 12) • The Lord (Rev. 3: 1) – Unlived truth will kill a church (Lk. 14: 28; Gal. 5: 7; 2 Tim. 3: 5)

How to Kill A Church • Unconcerned Membership (3: 2 -3) – They were not watching – They were not holding on to God’s word (2 Tim. 1: 13) – Unconcerned members will kill a church (1 Jn. 3: 14)

How to Kill A Church • Unconfessed Sin (3: 3) – Sin leads to death (Mt. 8: 22; 23: 27; Rom. 6: 23; Eph. 2: 1, 5; Col. 2: 13) – There was sin in the church; they needed godly sorrow leading to repentance (2 Cor. 7: 10) – Unconfessed sin will kill a church (1 Cor. 5)

How to Kill A Church • Uncommitted Majority (3: 4) – There were “few” undefiled; but many defiled – Many followed the way of defilement (Mt. 7: 13 -14; 22: 14; Lk. 13: 24; 1 Pet. 3: 20) – Many needed saving from death (Jas. 5: 20) – Uncommitted majority will kill a church (1 Cor. 11: 30)

How to Kill A Church • Unholy Unions (3: 4) – The “few” undefiled had allowed the many defiled to remain among them – Unholy unions between… • Members and the world (1 Jn. 2: 15 -17) • Members and other members (1 Cor. 5) • Spouses (Mt. 19: 9; Rom. 7: 2 -3) – Unholy unions will kill a church – from death to death (Lk. 15: 24, 32; Jude 12; Rev. 20: 14, 15; 21: 8)

A Dead Church Comes Alive He That Overcomes… • Unlived Truth (Heb. 5: 12 -6: 1; Jas. 1: 25; 2: 14; 3: 8, 14) • Unconcerned Membership (Rom. 13: 13; 1 Cor. 15: 34; 16: 13; Eph. 4: 16; 5: 14; 1 Thess. 5: 6 -8; 1 Pet. 5: 8) • Unconfessed Sins (Jas. 5: 13; 1 Jn. 1: 9) • Uncommitted Majority (Josh. 24: 15; 26: 9 -12; Mic. 3: 8; 7: 7; Jude 23) • Unholy Unions (2 Cor. 6: 14 - 7: 1) Tit. Psa.

How to Kill A Church • • • Unlived Truth (3: 1 -2) Unconcerned Membership (3: 2 -3) Unconfessed Sins (3: 3) Uncommitted Majority (3: 4) Unholy Unions (3: 4)