We do not become Christians by good works; we cannot become non-Christians by bad works.
Sermon Title: SARDIS: THE DEAD CHURCH
Sermon Text: REVELATIONS 3:1-6 (NIV)
Sermon Series: LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
REVELATIONS 3:1-6 NIV
1 To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
I. JESUS’ PRONOUNCEMENT
Reputation doesn’t always reflect reality.
II. JESUS’ PRESCRIPTION
1. Be aware of your condition.
1 PETER 5:8 NIV
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
It’s possible to be busy in the things of God and yet be doing nothing for God.
2. Return before it’s too late
“Nothing is more difficult than for a comfortable church to repent.”
Ray Pritchard
Where does your security lie?
III. JESUS’ PROMISES
What is the Book of Life?
- Book of the Living (Ps 69:28),
- Book of Life (Php 4:3; Rev 3:5; 20:12, 15), and the
- Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev 13:8; 21:27).
What is the context?
Who are the overcomes?
1 CORINTHIANS 3:12-15 NIV
12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
We do not become Christians by good works; we cannot become non-Christians by bad works.
2 CORINTHIANS 13:5 NIV
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-- unless, of course, you fail the test?