Jesus’ 1-Star Review Church: The Church at Sardis
Jesus’ 1-Star Review Church: The Church at Sardis
Key Bible Verses
Revelation 3:1-6
Digging Deeper
Jesus challenges the Church at Sardis to wake up and come alive again. He urges them to strengthen what remains so that everything does not die off. He reminds them of their faith and commands them to repent and regain their lost faith.
What are some ways that our faith might die?
It is taken for granted.
Spiritual aspects of life are not nurtured and cared for.
Awareness of God becomes dim or nonexistent.
Gratitude and joyousness aren’t felt or expressed.
Care and helpfulness for others isn’t a priority.
What can we do to make sure our faith is alive and not fading?
Trust God to show the way.
Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power.
Be excited and look for how God works in and through you.
Read the Scripture for inspiration.
Find someone to serve and help.
Pray and get to know God.
Express gratitude for God’s blessings.
Seek godly friendships.
Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Let us evaluate our faith in Jesus so that it is strong and vibrant, never failing, and may we always bring glory and honor to God.
What Not To Miss
Revelation:
Jesus’ Revelatory Letter emboldens Revolutionary Living.
Main Point:
Revolutionary living comes by way of a church filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit rather than a church that has the appearance and reputation of “Christian” religion.
Revolutionaries care more about what Jesus thinks rather than what the world thinks.
Three things Jesus reveals to the Church at Sardis with the goal of renewing them to revolutionary living:
1. You are dead even though others think you are alive. (Revelation 3:1)
The Greek word for dead is nekros: dead/lifeless.
God’s mercy, grace, and love pursue humanity in its state of deadness and lifelessness, and in receiving Jesus’ death and resurrection and embracing Him as King. The Spirit is breathed into dead sinners and they are raised to life.
Then the Spirit fills and empowers them into living a life that is pleasing to the King and advancing this life to the ends of the earth.
Jesus' review and indictment of the Church at Sardis is:
He says this is a Church still dead in its sin.
He says this is a Church that has become lifeless and, therefore, is not a Spirit-filled church.
He says they are a church filled with unbelievers or a church filled with lifeless believers.
People who make up a dead and lifeless church are like this:
The Scripture teaches that there will be those who claim to know Jesus and do ministry in Jesus’ name, but are not of Jesus.
There will be those who know Jesus but fail to live out the abundant, victorious life of Jesus through the power of the Spirit.
Seven examples of a dead and lifeless church that gives off an appearance and the reputation of being alive.
Living off past work of God, rather than trusting Him for a fresh work of God.
The church is filled with consumers who consume ministry, rather than convictional committed contributors doing the work of ministry.
Church leaders are more concerned with keeping members and people happy, rather than pleasing and glorifying Christ.
The church is good at getting people to make decisions about Christ, but fails at making disciples of Christ.
The teaching coming from the church leaders is more like life hacks cloaked in Christian language that teach a form of Christian living rather than Christ-centered truth that focuses on the presence and power of the Spirit needed for Christian living.
A church that does not address sins of omission (unintentional) and commission (intentional).
Focus on business and organizational strategies to grow the church without believing, trusting, depending, and praying for the Spirit to lead, move, and grow the church.
What was missing in personal reflection?
The reliance and dependence on the Holy Spirit!
A principle Jesus teaches His Church through the local church at Sardis: A dead church is one where the Spirit is absent.
2. If you don’t come alive, I’ll come and take you out. (Revelation 3:2-3)
They have the appearance of being alive and well, and being well protected and guarded. However, they are not.
Their appearance is deceiving. They more than likely had the right deeds and actions, but they came from and were done in the wrong direction and for the wrong reasons, which gave off a form of transactional religion rather than a transformational relationship.
They have neglected to keep the Church Savior and His Spirit as the Center of Church life.
What does Jesus tell them to do?
“Wake Up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die.”
How do they wake up, strengthen what remains, and live victorious lives in Jesus?
Remember the Gospel.
Hold fast to the Gospel they received.
Repent of their wayward ways and pursue the Gospel.
3. There are incredible blessings to being alive. (Revelation 3:4-5)
In Jesus, there are the incredible blessings of being alive!
In Jesus, we are pure and live under His blood and righteousness.
In Jesus, we live in security, protection, and acceptance.
Are you dead? Or are you alive? Are you awake? Or are you asleep? Are you filled and satisfied in Him? Do you have the appearance and reputation of being Christian without an abiding connection and relationship with Jesus?
This message is important for individuals and the church. The world is hungry, in need, and longing for substance, for something real, and that is Jesus. The world needs a Spirit-filled, empowered church and is starving for substance, as we point the world to Jesus.
Life Application
Think back on when you were most passionate about your faith. What was the strongest aspect of your faith at this time? Reflect on what might have been lost from your passion for Jesus and the Gospel. How can you rekindle the fire that you had from the first so that you are vibrantly alive in your faith? Memorize 2 Timothy 1:6-7, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
Small Group Discussion Questions
What is the strongest thing you can think of, and what makes it strong?
What positive things does Jesus say about the Church at Sardis?
What negative things does Jesus say about the Church at Sardis?
What are the consequences if the Church of Sardis does not wake up?
How does what is said about the Church at Sardis apply to the current-day church?
Daily Devotional Bible Passages
Day 1: Wake up-Isaiah 60:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Mark 13:35-37
Day 2: Repent-Acts 3:19; Matthew 3:2; Acts 2:38
Day 3: Be alive-1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:4-5; Hebrews 4:12
Day 4: Remember-Psalm 25:6-7; Isaiah 46:9; Psalm 77:11; Psalm 111:55
Day 5: Victory-Deuteronomy 20:4; 1 John 5:4; Philippians 4:13
Prayer
Dear Lord, as I look at today, please help me to be faithful and live a vibrant life that is pleasing to You. Don’t let what I know I need to do as I love and serve You go unfinished. Let me remember that there is still kingdom work to be done and earthly tasks to be completed. Strengthen my spirit and have the Holy Spirit guide and direct me to finish the mission that You have given me. Give me the courage to persevere through challenges and setbacks and the faith to trust in Your plan for my life. May I constantly seek Your guidance as I am alive for You and as I serve You faithfully.
