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Daily Devotions

Revelation

Revelation 
Day 
Day 27

"To the angel of the church in Sardis"

Text: Revelation 3:1

THE CHURCH AT SARDIS

Sardis was a city that was known for its wealth. King Croesus ruled well and built the city of Sardis on a hill. The natural defences of Sardis made the city difficult to conquer. It was finally conquered by King Cyrus of Persia.

Sardis worshipped many idols. The most famous was a temple dedicated to the worship of the goddess Cybele. Her worship approved of immorality.

“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.’
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,
that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.'”
Revelation 3:1-2

1. The Lord Jesus caused John to write to the Church at Sardis.

a) The Lord was described as the One who had “the seven Spirits of God”.

b) This is one way of applying Isaiah 11:2. He was full of the Holy Spirit.

c) The Lord also sent a reminder that He also held the seven stars in His hand.

i) The seven churches were described as golden lampstands.

ii) The seven stars were also called “seven angels” (messengers).

iii) All were accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The works of the Church.

a) There wasn’t much to say about their works.

b) Their works were supposed to reflect the name of the Church.

c) Sardis was a wealthy city and appeared successful and alive.

d) In the Lord’s assessment, the Church was dead and not spiritually alive at all.

e) The church had been adversely affected and ruined by the sinful lifestyle in Sardis.

3. The works of the Church.

a) They were certainly not perfect before the Lord.

b) The church had become like Sardis:

i) Indolent

ii) Not watchful

iii) Pleasure seeking

iv) The Church was about “ready to die”.

4. An urgent call from the Lord.

a) To become “watchful”.

b) To strengthen what still remained intact.

c) Sardis must address their spiritual apathy or face spiritual death.