Sardis
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-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --
Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. - - This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive, - - but you are dead.” Revelation 3:1 NLT
A reputation for looking alive is not the same as being alive.
- - The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
Having spiritual knowledge and history is not the same as experiencing spiritual transformation and life.
We’re in a dangerous place when we’re more committed to protecting our reputation than dealing with reality! - - Committed to looking alive vs being alive!? - - The appearance of health over health itself.
A life of duplicity will always be marked by a lack of spiritual integrity, peace, and alignment with God. (KJ)
Choose a good reputation over great riches. Proverbs 22:1 NLT - - It’s got to be true!
Disaster is imminent when our public image becomes more important than our relationship with Jesus.
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 NIV
We all have reputation vs reality gaps. - - Jesus doesn’t demand we have it all together, but rather that we stop pretending we do, and do something when and where we realize we don’t!
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Philippians 3:12 NLT - - Paul’s humility!
The problem with Sardis wasn't that they had weaknesses, but that they weren’t addressing them. - No growth beyond what you refuse to confront. - - You can’t correct what you insist isn't an issue or repent of what you refuse to Acknowledge. - - Justification and denial are a fast track to spiritual death.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 NLT
The only options in dealing with our flawed humanity are humility or hypocrisy. - - Sardis chose hypocrisy!
As big a deal as their hypocrisy was, the bigger question is how did they become lifeless in the first place?
We find the answer in what Jesus says in the rest of this letter. - - Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your works incomplete in the sight of my God. Revelation 3:2 ESV
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
The enemy is not impressed by what we claim to be! - - The goal can’t be to look better, but to Wake up!
Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:10-14 NLT
Correction is an opportunity to turn toward God and to live differently by the power of the Holy Spirit. (KJ)
Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. Revelation 3:3 NLT - -
Informed without being Conformed!
Accumulating truth without application can increase your knowledge without changing your character.
Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Revelation 3:4-6 NLT
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 1 John 5:12 NLT
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