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Christ’s Letters to the Churches-5 Revelation 3:1-6

Christ’s Letters to the Churches-5 Revelation 3:1-6 . General Characteristics of Christ’s Seven Letters-1. They are addressed to the seven churches in Asia (Asia Minor)- V4 Located in what is now Turkey All were facing strong pressure and persecution

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Christ’s Letters to the Churches-5 Revelation 3:1-6

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  1. Christ’s Letters to the Churches-5Revelation 3:1-6

  2. General Characteristics of Christ’s Seven Letters-1 • They are addressed to the seven churches in Asia (Asia Minor)- V4 • Located in what is now Turkey • All were facing strong pressure and persecution • They struggled against the same sins that christians face today • General outline of the letters: • Each letter begins with an address • Each contains a description of Christ its author

  3. General Characteristics of Christ’s Seven Letters-2 3. These are followed by a commendation for their good works • There are none mentioned for the churches in Sardis and Laodicea 4.Jesus then rebuked them for the sins common among them • The churches at Philadelphia and Smyrna received no rebuke 5. Then those guilty of sin are urged to repent and warned of the consequences if they do not 6. Each letter ends with a promise for the faithful

  4. Asia Minor in the First Century

  5. The City of Sardis • Was located 31 miles south of Thyatira in the Hermus river valley • It was near the main highway that ran through central Asia Minor • The chief city of the of Lydia • Its wealth and that of its last king, Croesus is legendary • The city was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 17 and rebuilt • There was a large temple to Artemis in Sardis • The gospel may have taught there during Paul’s stay in Ephesus- Acts 19:10

  6. Christ’s Description of Himself • “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars”- V1 • The letters are from the seven Spirits before God’s throne- 1:4 • John previously saw Christ with seven stars in His right hand- Rev. 1:16 • The stars are identified as the angels of the seven churches- 1:20 • Seven is a number that represents fullness and perfection • The seven Spirits of God suggest the completeness and reliability of His word- Jn. 16:13

  7. Christ’s Rebuke of those in Sardis-1 • Christ had no commendation for the members of this church • He said “I know your works,” • We must remember that He knows our works also- Heb. 4:13 • Their works were not perfect (complete) before God- V2 • Some had defiled their garments by their works- V4 • They had a name that they were alive • They had a reputation for being an active faithful christians • A good reputation is desirable- Prov. 22:1

  8. Christ’s Rebuke of those in Sardis-2 • Elders must have a good reputation- I Tim. 3:7 • Christ expects His church to have a good reputation- I Thess. 1:8 • But the church at Sardis was dead- 3:1 • A good reputation is of no value if it is not accompanied by a good character and good works • It is hypocritical and deceitful- Mt. 21:18-19 • A dead church is one that has quit working for the Lord- Jas. 2:26

  9. Christ’s Rebuke of those in Sardis-3 • They were relying on the good works they had done in the past • They had ceased to grow- II Pet. 3:18 • Individuals and churches that are not growing are dying • Jesus has said that fruitless branches will be cut off- Jn. 15:2 • It appears that they were sound in doctrine • It is easy to become satisfied with what pleases us • But we must be sure that what we are doing is also pleasing to the Lord- II Cor. 13:5

  10. Christ’s Warning to those in Sardis • “Be watchful and strengthen those things which remain,”- V2 • They had the truth of the gospel to which they needed to hold fast • But they needed to have their zeal rekindled and obey its teachings- Jas. 1:22 • The Lord said come upon them as a “thief in the night”- V3 • Suddenly, unannounced and unexpected- I Thess. 5:2 • All who are unprepared will suffer loss • The spiritually dead must wake up, repent & get to work-Rom.13:11

  11. Christ’s Promise to the Faithful-1 • Not all the christians in Sardis were spiritually dead • There were some who had not soiled their garments- V4 1. These and those who overcome will walk with Christ in white garments • To walk with Christ suggests a close and abiding fellowship with Him- Gen. 5:24 • White garments indicate the glory that the pure in heart and life will enjoy in Heaven- Col. 3:4

  12. Christ’s Promise to the Faithful-2 2. “I will not blot his name from the Book of life;”- V5 • A record of those who have life in Christ- Phil. 4:3 • Jesus suggests that is it possible for a Christian to have his/her name removed from that book • Those whose names remain will enter into New Jerusalem- 21:27 • Those whose names are not recorded there will be cast into the lake of fire which is called the second death- 20:14-15

  13. Christ’s Promise to the Faithful-3 3. “ I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” • Jesus said he will confess all who confess Him before others but He will deny those who deny Him before men- Mt. 10:32-33 • He will claim those who acknowledge Him as their Savior and faithfully follow His word- Mt. 25:34 • No greater honor will ever be conferred on any person • Are you confessing Christ in your life this afternoon?

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