Seven: “The Church at Sardis” (2/2/25)

Seven: “The Church of Sardis”

2/2/25

Pastor Mark England

The Book of Revelation is not a story. It’s a story.

Jesus is on a mission and He’s coming back!

John 14:1-3 (CSB) “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.

The Book of Revelation is not about the of God, but rather the reunion of the of God.

Chapters 2-3 is the “ Coordinators Guide” to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus.

Sardis: Your

Revelation 3:1-6 (CSB)

“Write to the angel of the church in Sardis: Thus says the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. ² Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before my God. ³ Remember, then, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come upon you. ⁴ But you have a few people in Sardis who have not defiled their clothes, and they will walk with me in white, because they are worthy. ⁵ “In the same way, the one who conquers will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his angels. ⁶ “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

Sardis worshiped Artemis, the goddess.

They were obsessed with and .

Sardis had a reputation for being .

Sardis had great but terrible .”

They had worship but are spiritually.

Revelation 3:1 (CSB) …I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.

They were “ church” instead of “ the Church”.

Sardis lost its and purpose leading them to but be for the Kingdom.

Our prayer when we feel tempted to go through the in our faith should be “Lord, shine on my darkness, and reveal the plan You have had for me.”

What is that ?

Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB) Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰ teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Follow , not .

Matthew 24:37-44 (CSB) As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. ³⁸ For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. ³⁹ They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be.⁴⁰ Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding grain with a hand mill; one will be taken and one left. ⁴² Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. ⁴³ But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Make an difference with our .

2 Peter 3:9 (CSB) The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

Acts 1:6-8 (CSB) So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”