Revelation 3:1-6

The church at Sardis teaches us lessons about formalism or dead ritualism. Perhaps this comes out most frequently in some interpretations of end times. Christ tells us to watch for His appearing and not defile our garments, and to those who do this, he promises white raiment when we are with Him in heaven. That is to be our hope in this life!

Sardis: the Lifeless church

I. The Location (literal local church)

• • They were prosperous and full of immorality
  • Located on cliffs, it was thought to be secure, but the city failed to be watchful and Cyrus king of Persia took over the city
  • About 300 years later, the Greeks overtook the city the same way

II. The Likeness of Christ

• • Christ that has the seven Spirits of God—making alive

III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings)

• • This church had grown cold and ritualistic, they were wrapped up in formalism, but they were devoid of God’s power in their lives

IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative)

• • Historically, this perfectly marks the reformation era in church history
  • The Catholic Church had become so secular and politically mainstream that people began to yearn for a return to Scripture
  • The reformation accomplished some good things, they “made a name for themselves” in areas such as justification by faith, study of the Word of God, and a focus on the glory of God
  • But the reformed denominations were just as ritualistic and formal as the Catholic Church, just in their own way (exercising hierarchy, persecuting dissenters, emphasizing rigid externals)
  • They made a name for themselves but were ritualistic and dead

V. The Lesson for us (type of church)

• • A steadfast belief in the second coming of Christ is necessary for a Christian to be alive and filled with the power of God
  • Right eschatology is necessary for living hope
    • Many churches today teach post-millennial eschatology and interpret prophecy through a partial-preterist lens (the belief that many of the judgments prophesied in the New Testament and Daniel were fulfilled in the first century rather than in the distant future). This is the puritan or historical reformed eschatology, it looks good, but it’s dead. But watch what Christ says
  • We are told to watch, strengthen the things that remain, remember the word of God, hold fast, and repent
  • He repeats the instruction to watch
  • We are called to live pure and holy lives as we wait for His coming
  • The reward for waiting is that He will come!