SARDIS (3.1-6)
A little background concerning the church at Sardis:
- About 30 miles SE of Thyatira, a city located in a fertile area (thus commercially important), but was really known for their dedication to the arts, especially music. One might think of Sardis as an ancient New Orleans. Much of the “entertainment” found on Bourbon St. could be found in Sardis as well.
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.
- “who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars” – from 1.4 and 1.16 and explained in 1.20. The seven stars are identified as the “angels of the seven churches”. The “seven spirits” is most likely a reference to the Holy Spirit.
- “I know your works” – In contrast to the church of Ephesus where their works are praised for their endurance and doctrinal faithfulness (2.2) and the church of Thyatira where their works are praised for their endurance and growth (2.19), the church at Sardis really is offered no compliment. Instead, they are noted as being a facade.
- “you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead” – “…reputation is what everybody thinks you are, character is what God knows you are.” – Hunter.
- God’s words to Samuel are fitting, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” – 1 Sam. 16.7.
- Jesus didn’t accomplish our salvation at the expense of himself just so we might ‘go through the motions’ of Christianity. What he desires is for us to have true spiritual life… “…true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him” – John 4.23.
- “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.- John 7.37-39.
- If we consider Jesus’ self-designation in the first part of this verse, we could say that Jesus is securely holding the church leaders (and thus the churches) in one hand and the Spirit in the other. What he desires is to bring his hands together so that the churches could be filled with and led by the Spirit.
- Consider Paul’s admonition to, “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” – Gal. 5.16. Jesus encountered this problem repeatedly with the religious leaders of his day, likening them to white-washed tombs (Matt. 23.27-28).
- APP: There is a difference between an active church and a living church.
- Our lesson from Sardis: Integrity matters.
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.
- Christ gives a 5-part solution to the church’s spiritual deadness – wake up, strengthen, remember, keep, and repent.
- “wake up” – In the cities history, there were apparently two separate occasions where the it was captured, because of it’s failure to implement watchmen over the city. Christ may very well be warning them that a similar spiritual fate awaits them if they do not change their current course of action. Peter encourages us to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” – 1 Peter 5.8. The problem becomes, How does a dead church wake themselves, they are not accused of being asleep, but dead. We could probably better understand this as “become alive again” or “begin living as Christians again.” Literally the word means to be ready and alert.
- “I have not found your works complete” – Any spiritual endeavor attempted or accomplished without true spiritual vitality is lacking. “And without faith it is impossible to please him…” – Heb. 11.6.
- “strengthen” – to make more firm, especially regarding attitude or belief. Build your resolve.
- QUES: How does one strengthen their relationship with God?
- In short, we don’t strengthen our relationship with Christ by doing more, but by being more – committed, trusting, faithful, etc.
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.
- “remember” – There is great benefit in reflecting upon what the past grace God has poured our upon our lives. It motivates us to remain faithful and challenges us not to repeat the same spiritual pitfalls of history.
- “keep” – the word means more than to preserve, but carries the idea of putting into practice, to follow, to obey.
- “repent” – “Like the father of the prodigal son, God can see repentance coming a long way off and is there to meet it. The repentance is reconciliation” – D. Sayers.
- Each of the remedies which follow the correction within the letters to the 7 churches always involves the action of repentance.
- APP: Repentance and obedience go hand in hand.
- “I will come like a thief” – meaning suddenly and without warning. Judgment is implied.
4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
- “soiled their garments” – apparently, sin is the ultimate cause for their spiritual deadness.
- “walk with me in white” – in contrast to the soiled garments of sin, those who conquer will “walk with (Jesus) in white.
- “they are worthy” – Eph. 4.1; Col. 1.10; 2 Thess. 2.12. Paul used this phrase frequently as well, encouraging believer to walk worthy of their calling by bearing spiritual fruit and growing in their relationship with Christ because he himself has called us into his kingdom, thus we belong to Him.
5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
- “clothed thus in white garments” – Highlighting holiness and purity as a result of the spiritual cleansing of God through the faith. – Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. – Is. 1:18
- “I will never blot his name out of the book of life” -The first record of God’s book keeping is mentioned in Exodus 32:33. In ancient times all citizens of a city would be registered in the “citizenship registry”, being erased from such a registry would mean that the individual was no longer a citizen. All listed in the registry had the right to be acknowledged before the king and his court. This illustration reminds us that our citizenship in heaven is permanent.
- “I will confess his name” – APP: As believers we should seek to represent and speak of the grace of God found in Jesus. –I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God – Luke 12:8. Never blotting out their names and confessing his name are both synonymous with eternal life. One is stated negatively, the other more positive.
- APP: As true believers, we do not have to worry about an eternal security. It is absolutely secure in Christ.
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Concluding Thoughts//Discussion
1. Reputation Vs. Reality
- Jesus told the church in Sardis, “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:1). What do you think it means for a church—or a Christian—to have a good reputation outwardly but be spiritually lifeless inwardly?
2. Wake Up!
- Jesus commands the church to “wake up” and strengthen what remains. What are some signs that a Christian or church needs to “wake up” spiritually?
- What practical steps can we take when we sense spiritual stagnation or apathy in our lives? How does one strengthen their relationship with God (v2)?
3. Do Your Remember?
- Jesus tells the church to remember what they received and heard, obey it, and repent. What role does remembering past experiences with God play in renewing our present faith?
LAODICEA (3.14-22)
A little background concerning the church at Laodicea
- A self-sufficient and commercial center, thriving in the medical and textile industries.
- Known for it’s production of wool cloth.
- About 35 years before this letter was written, the town was destroyed by earthquake, but they had enough resources within themselves to quickly rebuild.
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
- “the Amen” -literally, strong affirmation of what is declared; the truth. It seems Jesus is seeking to stress the honesty of his evaluation of the church at Laodicea. Here referring to himself as “the Amen” (or the Truth), and again describing himself as a “true witness”. Jesus is faithful to truth. It is outside of his divine character to be untrue. Isa. 65.16 describes God as “the God of the Amen”. Truth is found in and flows from Him. The phrase also highlights the sovereignty of God in our daily lives (“so be it”).
- “faithful and true witness” -Rev. 1.5. Because Jesus is faithful and true, He is able to bring an honest look into the spiritual vitality of the church of Laodicea and ours as well.
- “the beginning of God’s creation” – “the arche of creation” – this word can be understood either as first in time or first in rank. We shouldn’t understand it as in, “the first of God’s creation”, but that Jesus is the one who began creation (Col. 1:15-17). He is first in rank, not first in time, because He is eternal and therefore, timeless.
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
- Just like Sardis, this church does not receive a commendation.
- “either cold or hot” – Many have often described “cold” as outright antagonism to the things of God and “hot” as intense spiritual fervor. This is not the case. Jesus is making a word play based off of the Laodiceans’ source of water.Two nearby cities contained valuable water:1) Hierapolis had hot springs, which, in the day, served medicinal purposes.2) Colossae had cold, pure water, which was refreshing in a hot climate.The nearby Lycus River contained muddy and undrinkable water. Thus the city of Laodicea was forced to bring water in by aquaduct from the hot springs of Hierapolis. By the time it reached Laodicea, (5 mi) it was “lukewarm” or “barren/worthless”.
- “lukewarm” – used only here in the New Testament. It can mean unusable or barren. If we described the “works” of this church, we might say that they were ‘good for nothing’.
- ILL: Hot coffee is good. Cold ice tea is good. Neither are very good at room temperature.
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
- “spit you out of my mouth” – literally: vomit.
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
- In the next two verses Jesus attacks the Laodiceans where they are most proud. In their wealth (self-sufficiency), their health, and their wardrobe.
- “This verse clarifies that he will judge and reject them for their self-righteousness or self-sufficiency (rather than for their lack of spiritual fervor).” – Easley, 59.
- If we learn but one lesson from the church at Laodicea, it would be that self righteousness and self sufficiency are dangerous to the soul.
- Verse 17 supplies three conditions which promote spiritual complacency and barenness – riches, prosperity, and independence.
- “rich” – The problem with riches isn’t the money, but it is the often accompanied thought that because one has plenty of material resources they do not seem to need Jesus’ spiritual resources.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” – 1 Tim. 6.10
- In Acts 8:9-25 (the story of Simon the Magician) we see that our money does not impress God and that it does not impart His favor upon us.
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” – Mat. 6.24.
- APP: May money never interfere or be more important than God, His will, and His work in the world.
- “not realizing” – Isn’t it interesting that the people we often deceive the most is ourselves. Have you ever looked at yourself in a photograph, not realizing it’s you?
- “poor” – Worth is not found in your wealth.
- “blind” – Worth is not found in your health.
- “naked” – Worth is not found in your wardrobe.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
- “from me” – 1. Our worth is found only in Christ. Who needs money when He is the source of all spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3-14)? Why worry about physical health when you can be renewed daily (2 Cor. 4:16, 1 Tim. 4:8)? Why worry about your clothing when Jesus will clothe you in righteousness (Isa. 61:10)?
- 2. Jesus is worthy of our devotion and dependence. APP: Our worth is found not in stuff, but in the Savior.
- “gold refined by fire” – instead of monetary riches, they were encouraged to make eternal investments.
- “white garments” – instead of the fancy clothes they prized, would it not be better to wear “white garments” provided by Christ.
- “shame of your nakedness” – See Genesis 3.8-11; 21. Was their clothing immodest? Possibly, but this is most likely a reference to feeling the shame of sin.
- “that you may see” -Jesus invites us to take a long hard look in the mirror. If you were Jesus, looking into the cracks and crevasses of your life. What do you truly see?
19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,nor be weary when reproved by him.6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. – Heb. 12.5-11
- God’s discipline (training and correction) has a specific purpose, that is holiness. thus our response should not be in resisting discipline, but changing our lives.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
- Is this verse a gospel invitation or an invitation for those who already believe to repent?
- In context, it should be understood as an invitation to repent.
- “knock” – insistent, ongoing knocking
- A literal translation might say, “I have stood at the door, and I am continuously knocking” – meaning Christ has consistently urged repentance from the members of the church in Laodicea.
- APP: A failure to repent can never be blamed on Christ.
- “anyone…him…he” – repentance is an individual decision. Commitment to follow Christ, although done in community, cannot be forced and is based on the individual’s surrender.
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
- “grant him to sit with me” – another mention of a shared rule or designated authority from Christ. This phrase highlights that Christ shares His victory with His followers.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Concluding Thoughts/Discussio
1. Lukewarm Faith
Jesus says the Laodiceans were neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. What do you think “lukewarm” faith looks like in today’s culture?
2. The Danger of Self-Sufficiency
- The Laodiceans said, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing,” but Jesus exposed their true condition—wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked (Rev. 3:17). Why is self-reliance so spiritually dangerous?
- In what ways can we fall into the trap of trusting in our resources, talents, or success instead of depending on Christ?
3. Loving Rebuke
- Jesus says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent” (Rev. 3:19). How does knowing Jesus corrects us in love change the way we respond to conviction?