KBM Revelation Chapter 3 Sardis
Kids Bible Minute • Sermon • Submitted
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Hello again and thank you for joining me for our 186th episode of Kids Bible Minute. I’m your host Landon Rowell and also I’m the preacher for the church of Christ here in Ramona, OK. Thank you for taking time out of your day today to study God’s precious Word with me. I would like to also thank the Oologah church of Christ for making this program possible. I hope you have your Bible ready so that when I mention a Bible verse you can pause this podcast, open your Bible to that scripture and see it for yourself. Now, typically when you unpause the podcast I will read the verse out loud so that you can simply follow along with me but in case I don't you have now read each verse for yourself. If you are new to our study, first I want to say thank you for studying with us and secondly I want to let you know that you can reach all archived or past episodes easily at ramonacofc.com in the podcast section where there is a direct link to Kids Bible Minute past episodes. So, we have been studying the book of Revelation and lately have been examining each of the seven churches of Asia having now looked at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. That means we are on chapter 3 now and looking at the church at Sardis. As has been the custom we will look at Jesus’ opening description of Himself and then the positive (scriptural) and negative (sinful) things the church was doing. Jesus opens up to the church in Sardis this way in .
1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Remember the number seven represents completeness or wholeness therefore the seven spirits of God is a reference to the Holy Spirit and the seven stars we are told are the angels i.e. messengers or preachers of the seven churches. This symbolism indicates first Jesus’ deity as He holds the Holy Spirit in His hand and secondly it demonstrates Jesus’ authority as “the Word” of God as He holds His preachers in His hand. Jesus would then go on to describe what He say concerning the church in Sardis in .
1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
The church in Sardis appeared to be alive and working for God but instead was dead and doing nothing for God. It’s interesting that there is no mention of any persecution from the Jews, Gentiles, Nicolaitans or any other group. This is the first congregation where this is the case and it is telling. The church apparently was well known and liked by the unfaithful in Sardis. Archeology shows Roman, Jewish, and Christian symbols all intermingled throughout the city. Why is Jesus upset with this? Because if Christians are living “for Christ” they will be persecuted.
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
The church wasn’t being persecuted and so even though they thought all was well, they were dead. That is all but a few. In Jesus declares there were some that had not soiled their garments. If they continued righteous they would be worthy of “walking with Christ,” they would never have their “name blotted out of the book of life” and Christ would personally “confess their name before the Father & His angels.”
You and I must learn from the “few faithful” and seek their reward in our lives. Let’s strive to walk with Christ, have our name never blotted out of the book of life, and have Christ personally confess our names before the Father & His angels.
Well, that concludes this Bible study for today. As always, I want to thank you for studying God's precious Word with me and I want to encourage you to continue to study God's Word every day. Be sure to use the wonderful material and other podcasts made available through the BWM App or website at biblewaymedia.org. I also personally have a website at gospel-preacher.com. Of course, make sure you ask your parents if it is ok by them before you download the app or go to those websites. I also encourage you to contact me personally with question about the Bible at the Ramona church of Christ email address ramonacofc@gmail.com or through our Facebook Page. Make sure you message the Ramona church of Christ in OK not California. Until we have an opportunity to meet again, peace be with you in Christ Jesus our Lord.