"DEAD OR ALIVE?"
(Revelation 3:1-6)
February 12, 2012
Gist of the letter to Sardis: You are dead!
Sardis was virtually unassailable by enemies
Description of Jesus
1. Holds seven spirits- reference to the Holy Spirit
2. Holds seven stars- 7 angels or messengers
Commendation
a few who had not soiled their clothes
reputation of being alive
Dying churches offer nothing to a lost world.
The church in Sardis was a perfect example of inoffensive Christianity.
Imperatives (exhortation)
1. Wake up! - keep watch for those things which may lead us astray (Mt. 24:50; 25:13; Mark 13:32-33)
2. Strengthen! - the life of a church is not its popularity, programs or personality, but in the Person of Christ.
3. Remember! - the basics of faith and practice them.
4. Obey! - what we know to be true
5. Repent! -needed a change of direction if they were going to survive
Promises
1. will walk with Christ
2. dressed in white clothes
3. never have name removed from the book of life
4. name acknowledged before God and His angels
The Church is made up of individuals and can never be spiritually strong unless the individuals within it are spiritually strong.
