Mostly Dead
(To the Church in Sardis)
Revelation 3:1-6
Pastor Josh Whitney (josh@trc.life)

Revelation 3:1 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.”

1 . Your

and your

Reveal Answer

may not be one and the same to Jesus.

Revelation 3:2 “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.”

2 . In what area of your life would Jesus tell you to

?

[Verses on the sudden, unexpected return of Christ: Matthew 24:42-44, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 12:37-40, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Peter 3:10 & Revelation 16:15]

Revelation 3:4 “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.”

3 . What in your life is

you?

Revelation 3:5 “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.”

[Verses on the perseverance of the saints (or eternal security): John 6:37-40, John 10:27-29, Romans 8:31-39, Romans 11:29, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Ephesians 1:13-14 & 1 John 5:13]

4 . Don’t be

to be identified with Jesus and his Word.

Revelation 3:6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Discussion Questions
1. What are marks of an alive church? What are marks of a dead church or a church living on its past reputation?
2. Without any affirmations, Jesus immediately leaps into words of correction for the church in Sardis. How would you describe the failings of the church in Sardis?
3. What dangers exist for Christians who rely on their reputation instead of nurturing a growing spiritual life?
4. If Jesus gave you a wakeup call, what area of your life would He want you to strengthen?
5. What is one thing you can do over the holidays to awaken your faith or keep it growing?
6. What does Jesus promise to those who overcome—or are victorious—in verse 5? What does this mean?