Sardis and Philadelphia
Learning from the Seven Churches
Sermon #3 January 27th 2008
Revelation 3:1-13 Page 1035
During the last two sermons we have looked at four of the seven churches that are mentioned in Revelation chapters two and three. From that we have been challenged as a congregation and as individuals to do the right things for the right reason and to avoid part time Christianity.
This week we look at Sardis and Philadelphia. One is called a dead church and the other one has no condemnation listed; so which one would you rather we become? I was thinking the same!
As a part of the sermon I have been listing some quotes but this week I came across a story that I wanted to share: The minister of a small southern church was on his way home when he met an acquaintance from town who was not a member of his church. After chatting a while the man asked how many members he had. The minister responded, "Fifty active members." The friend said, "My, that certainly speaks well for you." But the preacher responded, "Well, I wouldn't say that. All fifty are active--but twenty-five are actively working with me and the other twenty-five are actively working against me!"
I would say our percentages are better than that but it is that idea that we will get into with the church that met in Sardis.
Background: The chief city of Lydia. Sardis was famous for arts and crafts and was the first center to mint gold and silver coins. The capture of the great citadel by surprise attack by Cyrus and his Persians in 549 B.C., and three centuries later by the Romans, may have provided the imagery for John's warning in Revelation 3:3. The great earthquake of A.D. 17 ruined Sardis physically and financially.
To this group the Angel is commanded to write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
REV 3:4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Their appearance: We hear of churches that are dead. Jesus says of Sardis: "You are dead" (3:1). However, I am not sure we would have identified Sardis as dead. This church had an excellent reputation in the community. "You have the name of being alive" (3:1).
The noted archaeologist William Ramsay said that Sardis in John’s day was a dying city. The church often reflects characteristics of the community where it is located. Thus the church of Sardis is a dying church in a dying city.
One sign was a "dead give away" that Sardis was a "dead church". Jesus says, "I have not found your works complete in the sight of God" (3:3). Sardis was good at "starting" but poor at "finishing". They were not short on programs but all of their programs seemed to "fizzle out" without ever accomplishing the intended goals.
Sardis may well have thought their problem to be "method". "If we can find the right method we can be successful". However, their problem was not method.
In Sardis as in most dead churches, there were "a few names" who had refused to die with the city and the rest of the church. These "few" could form a nucleus of a resurrected church.
As we look at Sardis we learn that appearance is not truth. This reminds me to have relationships with people that go beyond the surface. It is a blessing to have some people in your life that know you in a very deep way.
We also learn that we need to finish what we have started and to remain alert and aware of the spiritual side of life. And again, like in the other churches, we are reminded that God will judge us individually as to our strengths and weaknesses.
In contrast to Sardis we read of a church down the road from them in Philadelphia that receives no criticisms.
THE PHILADELPHIA MODEL: The Little Church with Big Opportunities
REV 3:7
"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.9
I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. REV 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.COMMENTS Christians in Philadelphia knew the meaning of uncertainty. Philadelphians had seen their homes and businesses destroyed by natural disaster - earthquakes. Almost every day the earth trembled. The whole city was leveled in A.D. 17. Strabo, the ancient geographer, described Philadelphia as a "city full of earthquakes". How comforting must have been Christ’s promise of the "New Jerusalem" (3:12).
People in Philadelphia knew what it meant to be powerless in the face of nature. Christ said to the church "I know that you have little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name" (3:8). To this church Jesus says, "I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut" (3:8).
Were they few in number? Had most of their money been spent in earthquake relief? Not to worry - Christ has placed before them an open door that does not depend upon money or man power.
When will we learn that doors are opened by God and not by our assets? If we will use what we have faithfully, opportunities will multiply. If we fail to be faithful with what we have, doors will be closed.
Philadelphia had been built as a city with a purpose. It was to be the gateway to Greek culture. Now the church of Philadelphia has a purpose: It is to introduce Asia to the gospel of Christ.
Anxiety and disillusionment dominate North America today. We live in the shadow of disaster. The church of Philadelphia was faithful in a similar environment of anxiety. Not only was she faithful but doors of opportunity were opened to her that might not have been available had she been in a different environment. Instead of bemoaning the negatives of our contemporary world, we must look for the doors of opportunity that attend our age.
Questions from Philadelphia:
Summary Questions:
Next week we conclude by looking at Laodicea and considering which of the seven we may be most alike.