Standing For Revival
Revelation 3:1-5, 14-21

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Ice Breaker: Discuss a time when you or someone you knew were close to death, but then fully recovered. Have you ever experienced personal spiritual revival?

1 Have you ever encountered a church similar to the description given for Sardis in verse 1? Can you determine the reason church at Sardis is dead from the passage? What is the motivation for continuing to participate in a church that is dead?

2 What is the church at Sardis instructed to do in verses 2 and 3?

3 What is the hope for the church in verse 2? What does this tell you about modern day churches that seem to be dead or dying?

4 What is the promise given to those who overcome in verse 5? How does this promise relate to the promise given to Laodiceans in verse 22?

5 Do you ever relate to the description of the church of the Laodiceans in verses 15-16? Verse 17? If yes, describe what/how you got there.

6 When you think of the word love what immediately comes to mind? What does verse 19 tell us about God’s love?

7 What does it mean to be zealous? Who do you know that is zealous?

8 Discuss verse 20. Where does the door lead to? Would you be ready for Jesus to show up at your door after you get home this evening? What would it take for Revival to happen at CCW? In Shelby County?