Sardis: The Dead Church
Tony Schachle
Red Letters • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 17 viewsThe church in Sardis was known was the dead church. Jesus told them they had a reputation for being alive, but they were really dead spiritually. There are a lot of dead churches in the world today. As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, we need a renewed emphasis on the fire of Pentecost in our churches. We need the fire of Pentecost in our (1) Pulpits, (2) Pews, (3) Programs, (4) Prayers, and (5) Praise.
Notes
Transcript
OPENING
OPENING
We continue with our sermon series “Red Letters.”
This week we are looking at Sardis: The Dead Church.
MESSAGE
MESSAGE
Address
“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.
Fifth of the seven churches in Asia Minor.
Located about 30 miles southeast of Thyatira.
Was a city on the decline, but was still a wealthy city.
First coinage was minted here.
Large temple dedicated to the worship of Cybele, the mother goddess.
Worship included all types of sexual immorality and impurity.
Introduction
“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.
There are not seven Spirits of God, there is only one Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
This means that in Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Jesus also holds the fulness of the church.
Compliment
“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.
They were doing some good works.
They had a good reputation.
They appeared to be full of life.
Rebuke
“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.
Jesus said that the problem was they were really dead.
Things can appear to be fruitful on the outside, but inside can be full of rot.
The light from a star may take thousands of light years to reach us. Some of the stars we see in the sky may already be dead, but we still see their light.
Command
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
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.
Be watchful.
Strengthen those things that remain.
Remember how you have recieved and heard.
Hold fast and repent.
Promise
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.
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.
Those who are undefiled are going to walk with Jesus in white.
The overcomers are going to be clothed in white garments.
The overcomers will not have their names blotted out of the Book of Life.
The overcomers will have their names confessed by Jesus before the Father and the angels.
Exhortation
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
There is something the Spirit is saying to the churches today.
What is the Spirit saying to Farm Hill Church on this Pentecost Sunday? We need the fire of Pentecost in the church!
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
FIVE AREAS WHERE WE NEED THE FIRE OF PENTECOST!
We need the Fire of Pentecost in the Pulpit
Cold, dead, dry preaching is not going to cut it.
It is the anointing that breaks the yoke.
It’s like fire shut up in my bones.
Souls are saved instrumentally through teaching, but the teaching which saves souls is never cold, dead teaching. God may occasionally bless such words, for he doeth great wonders, but as a rule the teaching that convinces and enlightens is earnest and enthusiastic.
Charles Spurgeon
We need the Fire of Pentecost in the Pews
Playing church is not going to cut it.
Jesus did not die for a dead church.
Jesus is not coming back after a dead church.
We need the Fire of Pentecost in our Programs
Programs are great, but without the power of the Spirit, they are just programs.
We need the power of the Holy Spirit operating in everything we do.
Get the fire in the programs, and the programs will become transformational.
We need the Fire of Pentecost in our Prayer
For prayer to be effectual, it must be fervent.
Prayer is direct communication with the Creator of the Universe.
We need to pray in the Spirit
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
We need the Fire of Pentecost in our Praise
You can’t worship a living God with dead praise.
Heaven will be filled with praise.
Praise Ye the Lord!
CLOSING
CLOSING
ALTAR CALL
ALTAR CALL