THE CHURCH in SARDIS         		Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  9-19-99 A.M.   		Revelation 3:1-6   
	This is the message from the God of all fullness and power to the "dead" church.  
There is a downward spiritual spiral from Ephesus who left her first love... to Pergamum the
indulged worldly church... to Thyatira the pagan church... and now the "dead" church. 
I.  THEIR CITY... 
  A. Founded in the 6th century BC (?) by Croesus 
    1. One of the richest and most powerful cities in the world 
	- much gold nearby.. many vessels found used in melting... 
    2. Main city built on an "impregnable" hill 
	- but overconfidence led to its capture.. 
    3. Aesop the famous fable writer may have been from Sardis 
  B. Still famous in Roman Times.. 
II.  THEIR CHURCH.. 
  A. Nothing recorded elsewhere... possibly founded as a result of the Ephesian Outreach.. 
  B. They were "Workers"..  busy.. perhaps about the wrong things 
  C. They had a "Reputation".. 
    1. That they were "Alive" 
    2. But.. the Lord's diagnosis... "you are dead" 
	- sin kills... Eph.2:1.. "dead in trespasses and sins" 
  D. They had a Bishop..  "Melito".. end of 2nd century... 
    1. An "apologist".. wrote in defense of Christianity.. 
    2. But.. he doesn't mention persecution, false doctrine, false teachers, or corruption 
III.  THEIR COMMENDATION.. from the One who has infinite and infallible knowledge.. 
  A. I Know Your Works..  (2) 
    1. but they are not perfect before God.. 
	- The motives are not right 
	- The methods are not right.. only going through the motions 
	- Their lips move... but the heart is not right. Is. 29:13 
  B. I Know A Few in Sardis.. 
    1. They have not defiled their garments... Eph.5:26,27
	- Only a few... not enough to change the diagnosis 
	- But.. remembered by the Lord... He never forgets nor forsakes His own 
    2. There always seems to be a "remnant" 
	- A few stalks of wheat among the "tares"... Mt.13:25-40 
IV.  THEIR CONDEMNATION.. 
  A. You are riding on your reputation... 
    1. We can fool people... but not the Lord !! 
  B. You have one foot in the grave.. (2) 
    1. They were like spiritual zombies.. 
    2. They had reached a new "low".. 
	- It bore leaves... but no fruit..  Mt.21:19 
	- Populated by the unredeemed.. 
    3. Do we go on working after the ax head is lost ?  2Kings 6:5-8 
    4. Are we like Samson who knew not that the Lord had departed.. Jud.16:16-20 
V.  THEIR COMFORT AND COUNSEL.. 
  A. The Comfort.. 
    1. Some things remain... aren't dead yet.. 
    2. Some (few) have not defiled their garments..(4) 
	- Familiar in Sardis because of their wool dyeing industry 
	- They shall walk with me in White...  they are worthy... 
	- He will provide the ultimate in "white" robes.. perfect holiness and purity.  WOW !!! 
    3. Some.. the Overcomers.. 
	- shall be clothed in white raiment.. 
	- shall not be blotted out of the book of life..
	    - true Christians are secure  Ro.8:28-39 
	- shall be confessed before God... "Father these are Mine" 
  B. The Counsel..  The Pathway to Renewal... 
    1. Be Watchful... WAKE UP !!! 
	- no time for indifference... can't just "go with the flow" 
	- confront sin and error... get involved... make a difference 
	- be a part of the solution... not the problem 
    2. Strengthen what remains.. 
	- it's ready to die... but not yet.. 
	- fan the embers into a flame 
    3. Remember... what you heard and received... 
	- reaffirm the basics... about Christ; sin; salvation; sanctification; service; second coming.. 
	- go back to the Bible alone... 
    4. Hold Fast.. bulldog tenacity.. 
	- keep them.. obey them.. guard them 
    5. Repent... have remorse, confess, turn from sin, turn to God. 1Thes.1:9,10
 ** OR Regret...
	 - I will come on thee as a thief.. imminent judgment
	- You won't know what hour... certainly a warning to Sardis.. and to the "dead" churches 
	   of all time... even now!! 
 ** Hear what the Spirit says... (6) - those who are only "playing church" better listen up !!! 
	John MacArthur lists the danger signs of a dying church...
	 - when it is content to rest on past victories 
	- when it is more concerned with form than fact. 
	- when it focuses on curing social ills rather than changing people's hearts through the
	   preaching of the gospel.
	- when it is more concerned with material things that spiritual things.
	- when it emphasizes creeds rather than the Word. 
	- when it loses its conviction that the Bible is the Word of God Himself. 

OH LORD.. DON'T LET US LAPSE INTO THE EASY PATH OF LIVING IN THE PAST... 
   BUT MAY WE BE RENEWED DAY BY DAY
TO FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE AND VICTORY !!