Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Describe the state of many churches today like Sardis.

Is our church on the list?

Do you know a pastor that might receive this letter from Christ?

Are you willing to pray and work for the change needed for the Spirit to re-landscape our impact for the Lord by redefining our idea of “success” in the ministry to align with His definition?

Main Thought: Their pastor needed a spiritual resurrection, their church folks needed spiritual revival, but thank God, there was still a spiritual remnant.

Their pastor needed a spiritual resurrection, their church folks needed spiritual revival, but thank God, there was still a spiritual remnant.

Sub-intro: Describe the context of the city of Sardis.

Body:

I.

The Lord's Exhortation to the Pastor and Congregation in His Local Church in Sardis ().

A. Notice those Whom He Holds ().

1.

He Has the Seven Spirits of God.

Note - the Holy Spirit (; ).

2. He Has the Seven Stars.

Note - The Pastor’s or Angels of the Churches (See ch. 1).

B. Notice What It Is that He Knows ().

1.

The Pastor's Works.

2. The Pastor's Reputation.

3. The Pastor's Real Spiritual Condition.

C. Heed What He Counsels ().

1.

The Command to Be on Guard ().

2. The Command to Fortify ().

Note - “perfect” means fulfilled or completed.

There is more to do for Christ that this pastor is failing to do in spite of his works and reputation.

3. The Command to Remember ().

4. The Command to Hold Fast ().

5.

The Command to Repent ().

Note the play on the history of Sardis’ defeats due to their lack of watchfulness.

D. Recognize Why It Matters ().

1.

The Dangers of Lacking Vigilance.

2. The Doctrine of the Immanency of Christ's Coming.

Note - the many references to the Gospel teachings of Christ here in these few phrases concerning the Lord’s Coming.

E. Strive to Be Among those Whom He Honors ().

1.

A Remnant Who Remained Pure.

2. A Remnant Who Walk with Jesus in Robes of White.

3. A Remnant Whom Christ Deems Worthy.

II.

The Lord's Encouragement to those Who Overcome ().

A. The Conqueror's Raiment.

Note -

B. The Conqueror's Reassurance.

We should not interpret this statement in verse 5 to imply that some believers will lose their salvation (; , ; ).

The litotes here (cf.

2:11) means the overcomer’s name will be specially glorious forever.150

[150 150.

See Zane C. Hodges, “ Revisited,” The Kerugma Message 4:1 (September 1995):2.

Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), .]

We should not interpret this statement in verse 5 to imply that some believers will lose their salvation (; , ; ).

The litotes here (cf.

2:11) means the overcomer’s name will be specially glorious forever.150

150 150.

See Zane C. Hodges, “ Revisited,” The Kerugma Message 4:1 (September 1995):2.

Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), .

C. The Conqueror's Recognition.

Note -

III.

The Spirit's Edification of those Who Hear Him ().

Conclusion:

May the Spirit move our hearts to conformity to Christ’s will, which is the will of the Father, and may we humbly confess our deadness of working in our own strength and renew our vigilance to watch and be sober against the wiles of the enemy seeking to devour and take our strength and set our goals to be the goals of Jesus Christ, not man, not in the flesh.