S.S.S. Study The 7 Churches of Revelation
Family School at Faith Baptist Church
Week 6: The church at Sardis
Visitors Guide: Sardis was considered the impregnable city, built on a hill in a mountain it had nearly vertical sides and only one access point which could be easily defended. It was a rich city full of wealthy people, it was partially destroyed by an earthquake and eventually abandoned as the population grew too large for the area.
Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6
Vs 1 This church had works, they were busy doing things but Ephesians 2:9, Luke 10:38-42, they had a name in the community but God knew they were dead spiritually. Even when those around you believe you to be a spiritual giant, you may be dead and they just can't see it, but God does.
Vs 2 This church is commanded to be watchful, Luke 21:33-36 to strengthen that which is ready to die, Hebrews 12:12-13 and warned that they have not been found perfect before God, remember they had the works, people saw them as "christians" but God saw them as dead.
Vs 3 When facing spiritual lethargy a wonderful way it get fired back up for God is simply to remember what He has done, Mark 8:15-21, 2nd Peter 1:10-13.
The command or opportunity is given to repent, but if not taken God says He will come unto them as a thief. In the history of Sardis they were only twice defeated by invading armies, both times a small band of soldiers scaled the cliffs around the city by night where the people of Sardis did not bother having guards (security made them soft) and took the city by surprise. Also the city was once devastated by a sudden earthquake, God speaks to us in ways we can understand, these people knew what it was to have suffering come suddenly and that is what Christ warns them He will do. Matthew 24:35-51
Vs 4 Those who are righteous before God are differentiated from those who are not, Exodus 11:7. Many people say not to judge others, God sees everyone the same, the bible does say that God is not a respecter of persons but read closely, Acts 10:34-35 "he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness," God wants to save every sinner, and God loves every one of His children (born again believers), but all throughout scripture God distinguishes between those who live right and those who don't. Proverbs 15:3, Matthew 5:45 those who are saved but living wicked are still saved, God still loves them, but He deals with them differently, Galatians 6:7-8. God knew those who were staying true despite being surrounded by compromisers.
Vs 5 The promise of everlasting life, John 11:25-26
Vs 6 His message is to all people, Luke 2:10, Hebrews. 10:10, Acts. 13:47.
This church faced none of the oppressions of the other churches, no zealous Caesar worship, no angry Jewish population, security within one of the safest cities on earth, yet it was dead spiritually, there were not under attack from Satan because they weren't attacking Satan, they weren't being persecuted by the world because they had become like it, through a lack of persecution this church was dead.
Homework: Read Revelation 3 at least twice this week, and pick one of the churches listed in Revelation 2 and in your own words (minimum of one paragraph) compare it to our culture/churches today.
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