Message Notes

SSS 4
Book of Revelation 24 November 2024

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.

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

Revelation 3:1-6

THE CHURCH AT SARDIS

1. Sardis was well-situated

2. There were many things going for the city

a) It had natural defenses (high cliffs)

b) Difficult to climb

c) But not impossible

3. King Croesus ruled over Sardis before he was defeated by King Cyrus

4. Sardis was a very rich city

5. It was also a city that was soft and immoral

6. Temple of Cybele attracted many worshippers

7. Temple prostitution was widely practised

THE LORD JESUS DESCRIBED

“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:

Revelation 3:1a

1. He has the Seven Spirits

The fulness of the Spirit was His

2. He has the Seven Stars

He is the Lord of all the churches

EVALUATION OF THE CHURCH

“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Revelation 3:1b

1. I know your works

2. The Church had a name that it was alive

a) It was alive once

b) It was now just busy

3. But in reality, the Church was dead

a) It had a reputation

b) But it was now hollow

STRONG WORDS OF ADMONITION

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.

Revelation 3:2-3

1. To be watchful

2. To be strengthened

3. That which are still alive must be strengthened

4. Works not perfect before God

5. Remember what had been received

6. Hold fast

7. Repent

8. If it still remained unwatchful it would be overcome

ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE UNDEFILED

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.

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

Revelation 3:4-6

1. A few names not defiled

2. They will walk with the Lord in white

3. They are worthy

4. The overcomer

a) Clothed in white garment

b) Name not blotted out from the Book of Life

c) The Lord will confess him before the Father