Sardis: Zombie Church (Rev. 3:1-6)

Call to Hear

Rev. 3:1–6 NKJV

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.” ’ 

The City of Sardis

The fifth letter John writes is addressed to the church in Sardis.Sardis was located inland about 30 miles southeast of Thyatira. It was an important commercial city on an important trade route that ran east and west through the kingdom of Lydia. Around AD 17 a massive earthquake almost destroyed the city, but the emperor Tiberius rebuilt it some time later. “The city was built on a hill so steep that its defenses seemed [impenetrable]. On two occasions enemy troops scaled the precipice by night and found that the overconfident Sardians had set no guard”.The word of God cautions each and everyone of us  “not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought” (Rom. 12:3). And warns us that high-mindedness leads to a humiliating disgrace. “Pride,” Solomon says, “goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.  (Prov. 16:18). And that’s exactly what happened to Sardis. It was captured once by Cyrus the Persian (548 BC) and then again by Antiochus (195 BC). But, what does this have to do with the church? Great question. Let’s break down the letter and see what the Spirit of God has to say. 

Revelation 3:1a

Revelation 3:1 NKJV1 “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.The Author of this letter is introduced as “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars”.The seven stars are the angels of the churches, according to 1:20, which very-likely refer to the pastors of those churches. But what do we make of the seven spirits?The seven Spirits, according to 1:4, are before the throne of Him who was, is and is to come. In the Bible, seven is a number for completion and perfection. So what we are looking at here are not seven individual spirits, but One completely perfect Spirit! This is the Holy Spirit of God!The Holy Spirit is given to all who obey the Lord (Acts 5:32; 10:44-46).The Holy Spirit is given to all you trust in the Lord (John 7:39; Eph.1:13-14).He is the seal of our adoption in Christ.The church at Sardis was dead! Not in the physical sense, but rather in terms of their effectiveness in the kingdom of God! They were, as Ryan mentioned during his sermon a couple weeks ago concerning salt that had lost its saltiness, they were good for nothing! They were dead!As a matter of fact, one of the things Sardis was known for was its“...necropolis, which was known as the ‘cemetery of a 1,000 hills’ because of the hundreds of burial mounds visible on the skyline from about seven miles away”.There was only One who can breathe life into this dead congregation again. He is the Resurrection and the Life (Jn. 11:25). And He will do it through the power of the Holy Spirit just as He gave life to Adam and Eve in the Garden (Gen. 2:7) and just as He did in the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:13-14a.The Spirit gives life (Jn. 6:63; 2 Cor. 3:6; Rom. 8:2). 

Revelation 3:1b

Jesus says, “I know your works…” and as a matter of fact, they are not perfect (v2). He says, you have a reputation of being alive, but you’re actually dead!How many churches fall into this category? How many people do you know who fit this description?The church in Sardis had all of the outward signs of a Spirit-filled church. From all appearances they looked good! They updated their sanctuary to make room for their growing congregation and they packed the building week after week. They gave money to support other ministries and they enjoyed the latest and greatest technology. They were visible in the community. They had all the worldly markings of a thriving church, but Jesus noticed that they were whitewashed tombs. Beautiful on the outside, but inside there was nothing but death and decay (Matt. 23:27-28).Let’s get real for a second, because this is not just a problem for the church at Sardis or churches like this, it is also a problem for us! I’m talking about those of us who look like we have it all together publicly, but our private life is falling apart. Those of us who hide behind our reputation in the community, on our jobs, with our circle of friends.  In public, your marriage looks like something to envy, but at home it is empty. Your business is successful, but you are spiritually bankrupt!Listen to what the late great pastor and evangelist, Leonard Ravenhill said,“Friend, if you were as good at soul-cultivation as you are in developing your business, you would be a menace to the devil; but if you were as poor in business matters as you are in soul, you would be begging for bread”.Jesus can see right through your facade! You have a reputation for being alive,  but you are dead!

Revelation 3:2-3

Revelation 3:2–3 NKJV2 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.The story is told that a guard on top of the wall of Sardis dropped his helmet down the side of the wall one night and as he went down to retrieve it, an enemy watching from the distance saw how he went down and back up again to his post and that is how the army of Cyrus was able to invade Sardis and capture it. They didn’t take the threat from the enemy seriously and they suffered for not standing guard.

Jesus gives this dead congregation 5 directives if they are going to survive.

• The first directive given by Jesus is to be watchful.

Jesus did  not want the church at Sardis to suffer spiritually what the city itself had suffered. They are told to wake up and be on the alert. This is a common warning for the people of God.As Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane with enemies approaching in the distance, He tells His disciples to stand guard; to watch and pray (Matt. 26:40).  In the parable of the ten virgins Jesus tells His disciples to “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matt. 25:13). This lesson is repeated throughout the pages of God’s Word.The majority of the time that the message of watchfulness is used in scripture it is spoken directly to the people of God. It is spoken to the church. If we are not standing at our post, alert and eagerly waiting for Jesus’ return, then He will certainly show up when we are least expected! He will come as a thief in the night and He will come to bring judgment.Speaking to His disciples in Matt. 24:42, 44 Jesus says,Matt. 24:42 - Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.Matt. 24:44 - Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.The Lord told the prophet Ezekiel, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:” (Ezekiel 3:16-21). In much the same way God has made us watchmen in the Church to warn the wicked to turn from their wickedness and to encourage the righteous to be faithful not to sin.Stand guard church! Be watchful!

• The second directive given by Jesus is to strengthen what remains.

Jesus says, when you wake up from your nap and get back on your post, be aware that there may be some brothers and sisters who have been wounded. They are on life-support and they are ready to die. Strengthen them! The Apostle Paul says in Romans 14:1 that we are to receive the ones who are weak in the faith. In Romans 15:1 he says that we who are spiritually strong have a responsibility to strengthen those who are spiritually weak. Look at Galatians 6:11 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

• The third thing Jesus tells this congregation is to remember what you’ve received and heard.

To the church at Ephesus Jesus said to “Remember therefore from where you have fallen” (Rev. 2:5a). Here, He says to “remember what you have received and heard.” What is He talking about? He’s talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He’s talking about the same thing that every apostle and every born-again Christian has received and heard. That Jesus Christ came in the flesh. He lived without sin. He died on the cross that was not His. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. He rose from the grave on the third day by His own power. He ascended to the right hand of the Father. He intercedes for the faithful. He’s returning to judge the living and the dead.That’s what we are to remember.

Why should they/we remember the Gospel?

Because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who Believes (Rom. 1:16)! Are you here this morning and you have not surrendered to the love and grace of Jesus Christ? Have you not tasted and seen that the Lord is good? Don’t waste another minute! Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will raise you up! He brings dead things to life. He mends is broken. He retrieves what is lost! He saves ALL who call upon HIs Name!How should they/we remember?Through solid, Biblical teaching. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17).We remember through the practice of baptism.Romans 6:3–5 NKJV3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,And we remember by eating from the Lord’s table each week.1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

• Not only are they/we to remember it, but they/we must Hold Fast to it. This is the fourth directive.

2 Timothy 1:13–14 NKJV13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.1 John 2:24-25 says to “let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.”And the end result of this faithfulness is eternal life which God has promised to each and everyone of us!  No matter what opposition you may face because of your faith in Jesus, no matter what your friends or your family may think of your commitment to Jesus, even if it costs you your job or even your life, hold fast to Jesus!

• Finally, directive number five, Repent.

This is an instruction that 5 out of 7 churches heard. They were so far off the map that they needed to turn back. Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior. We have two choices in this life, we can either surrender to the love and grace of God and trust that His ways are better and higher than ours or we can continue on the path of our own making. But know this, God loves you and He has already chosen you. Turn from your sin!“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved” (Isaiah 30:15; NLT).

Revelation 3:4-6

Revelation 3:4–6 NKJV4 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.” ’The church at Sardis was made up of three types of people. We’ve already met the first two: the dead (v1) and the dying (v2). Here in verse four we are introduced to the third group of members in the church. They are a rather small group, but they are a very important group. They are the worthy.Can you imagine the joy that will come over you when the Lord declares you worthy?! We often sing songs of His greatness. We sing worthy is the Lamb, but what a day it will be to hear the Lord sing worthy over me!!What a testimony these saints had! While it may have seemed like the whole church was going to hell in a handbasket, there were a few names who had not defiled their garments. There were a few people who held fast to Jesus. There was a remnant who believed that God is who He says He is and that He’ll do what He said He’ll do. There was a small group with the faith of Job. They said, “though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15). They had faith like Joshua. “As for me and my house we will praise the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). They had the faith of Peter when he said, “to whom shall we go Lord? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). You see, it doesn’t matter what everybody else is doing, you have to “present yourself as a living and holy sacrifice to God, acceptable only unto Him (Rom. 12:1-2).I remember several years ago, my wife had the opportunity to share her testimony with a group of young girls and she kind of struggled with what to say exactly. She felt like there wasn’t much to her story to tell. She had never been strung out on drugs. She didn’t have a bunch of children by a bunch of different men. She’d never been to prison. She didn’t have a near-death experience that God had brought her back from. She didn’t have a wild and crazy past like I do. You see, she grew up in a Christian home and she surrendered her life to Jesus at the age of 3 years old and she has followed Him faithfully from that time until now. I didn’t say sinlessly, but faithfully.There were a few saints in the church at Sardis who could tell this same story. They had not defiled their garments and for that Jesus considers them worthy!What are they worthy of? Three things really quickly . Those who remain faithful to the Lord are promised thatThey will be clothed in white garments.The color white in the Bible symbolizes purity and righteousness.Their sins were washed away by the Blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:14)Their names will not be blotted out of the Lambs Book of life.This idea of a person’s name being written in the Book of Life goes all the way back to Exodus (Ex. 32:32-33).If your name is not written in the Book of Life you will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15).But those who have remained faithful to the Lord, who have not soiled their garments with the flesh (Jude 23) they are worthy to walk with the Lord and He will never remove their names.Jesus will confess them before the Father and His angels.Matthew 10:32–33 NKJV32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Call to Respond

Let me say this in closing. Outward appearances can be so deceptive. I was thinking about that a lot this past week. My wife and I have gone through two miscarriages together. It’s a strange thing to have the physical appearance outwardly that you are carrying a life and yet be missing the heartbeat. It is a strange thing, from my vantage point, my wife can tell you better what this was like, but it’s strange to be a witness to the physical transformation of the body, to see signs of life on the outside while at the same time knowing that what is on the inside has died. Too many churches are living this way. Too many Christians are living this way. Outwardly appearing as though they are on fire for Jesus while inwardly their spirits have no life.We need a revival church! We need to wake up and get back on our post. Bibliography

• (Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 938). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)
•  (Morris, L. (1987). Revelation: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 20, p. 78). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press)
• (Johnson, “Revelation,” 2006, 626)
• (Ravenhill, "Why Revival Tarries", p30)