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How to Kill A Church

How to Kill A Church. Lesson from Sardis the Church of the Living Dead Revelation 3:1-6. The Church At Sardis Revelation. 3:1-6. Sardis was one of the oldest and most important cities in Asia Minor until it was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 17

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How to Kill A Church

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  1. How to Kill A Church Lesson from Sardis the Church of the Living Dead Revelation 3:1-6

  2. The Church At SardisRevelation. 3:1-6 • Sardis was one of the oldest and most important cities in Asia Minor until it was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 17 • Sardis was a third-rate city at the time John wrote Revelation • The history of Sardis matched the history of the church – once alive, now dead

  3. The Church At SardisRevelation. 3:1-6 • Jesus is in control – “he that has…” • In control to punish (3:3; 1 Thess. 5:2ff) • In control to reward (3:5; Rev. 20:15) • Jesus knows all – “I know your works…” • Sardis had a “name” (reputation) • Sardis was living, but dead (1 Tim. 5:6) • Reputation vs. actual spiritual condition • What killed this church ?

  4. How to Kill A Church • Unlived Truth (3:1-2) • Their works were started but unfinished • Faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:17,26) • People see unlived truth… • Other brethren (Gal. 2:14) • The world (1 Pet. 2:12) • The Lord (Rev. 3:1) • Unlived truth will kill a church (Lk. 14:28; Gal. 5:7; 2 Tim. 3:5)

  5. How to Kill A Church • Unconcerned Membership (3:2-3) • They were not watching • They were not holding on to God’s word (2 Tim. 1:13) • Unconcerned members will kill a church (1 Jn. 3:14)

  6. How to Kill A Church • Unconfessed Sin (3:3) • Sin leads to death (Mt. 8:22; 23:27; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1,5; Col. 2:13) • There was sin in the church; they needed godly sorrow leading to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10) • Unconfessed sin will kill a church (1 Cor. 5)

  7. How to Kill A Church • Uncommitted Majority (3:4) • There were “few” undefiled; but many defiled • Many followed the way of defilement (Mt. 7:13-14; 22:14; Lk. 13:24; 1 Pet. 3:20) • Many needed saving from death (Jas. 5:20) • Uncommitted majority will kill a church (1 Cor. 11:30)

  8. How to Kill A Church • Unholy Unions (3:4) • The “few” undefiled had allowed the many defiled to remain among them • Unholy unions between… • Members and the world (1 Jn. 2:15-17) • Members and other members (1 Cor. 5) • Spouses (Mt. 19:9; Rom. 7:2-3) • Unholy unions will kill a church – from death to death (Lk. 15:24,32; Jude 12; Rev. 20:14,15; 21:8)

  9. A Dead Church Comes Alive He That Overcomes… • Unlived Truth (Heb. 5:12-6:1; Jas. 1:25; Tit. 2:14; 3:8,14) • Unconcerned Membership (Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 15:34; 16:13; Eph. 4:16; 5:14; 1 Thess. 5:6-8; 1 Pet. 5:8) • Unconfessed Sins (Jas. 5:13; 1 Jn. 1:9) • Uncommitted Majority (Josh. 24:15; Psa. 26:9-12; Mic. 3:8; 7:7; Jude 23) • Unholy Unions (2 Cor. 6:14 - 7:1)

  10. How to Kill A Church • Unlived Truth (3:1-2) • Unconcerned Membership (3:2-3) • Unconfessed Sins (3:3) • Uncommitted Majority (3:4) • Unholy Unions (3:4)

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