Follow along with today’s message. Use the blank spaces for fill-in notes and use the to add your own. Select “Email” at the bottom of this page to send a PDF to yourself.
Sardis: The Slumbering Church
Revelation 3:1-6
Main point: To be dead is darkness, and alive is light.
You can’t be
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.’”—Revelation 3:1 (ESV)
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”—Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)You are called to be alive as
2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. —Revelation 3:2-3 (ESV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”—Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.—Ephesians 5:6-10 (ESV)
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”—John 8:12 (ESV)Wear your clean
Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.—Revelation 3:4 (ESV)
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.—2 Timothy 1:13 (ESV)
5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.—Revelation 3:5-6 (ESV)
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”—Revelation 12:10-12 (ESV)
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!—Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
Personal Study and Life Groups:
1. Do you think the dead people in the church had a real understanding of who Christ is?
2. Read the I AM statements below. Which statement stands out to you and why?
The “I Am” statements of Jesus are found in the Gospel of John and reveal His identity, mission, and divine nature. Here’s a brief summary of each:
“I am the Bread of Life”(John 6:35, 48, 51)
Jesus sustains spiritual life just as bread sustains physical life. Those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst spiritually.“I am the Light of the World” (John 8:12, 9:5)
Jesus brings truth and guidance, illuminating the path to God and dispelling spiritual darkness.“I am the Door (Gate) for the Sheep” (John 10:7, 9)
Jesus is the only way to enter into salvation and security in God’s kingdom.“I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11, 14)
Jesus cares for, protects, and lays down His life for His followers, just as a shepherd does for his sheep.“I am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25)
Jesus has power over life and death, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6)
Jesus is the exclusive path to God, the embodiment of truth, and the giver of eternal life.“I am the True Vine” (John 15:1, 5)
Jesus is the source of spiritual life and growth. Believers must remain connected to Him to bear fruit.
Next Week: The SEVEN Churches of Revelation: Philadelphia - The Enduring Church (Revelation 3:7-13)