Revelation 3:1-3
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.
Signs of a dead church:
There is compromise.
God’s word is selective.
Holy Spirit power is absent.
There’s a lack of joy and gladness.
Active yet no spiritual growth.
No concern for the lost and the younger generation.
They don’t know they are spiritually dead.
Revelation 3:4-6
“Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Be sure you’re awake, spiritually awake.
Matthew 15:8-9a
‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce…
Ephesians 5:14b
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Signs that you’re awake:
There is no compromise.
God’s word is taken seriously.
Holy Spirit power is present.
There’s joy and gladness.
Active in God’s work and demonstrate spiritual growth.
There’s concern for the lost and the younger generation.
Awareness of the time in which you live.
Wake up every day ready and powered up by the Holy Spirit.
*The Holy Spirit is personal. He does life with you.
John 14:26; Romans 8:14,26; Ephesians 4:30; Psalms 139:7
*The Holy Spirit provides us power and helps us grow spiritually.
Galatians 5:16, 22-23; John 14:26
*The Holy Spirit lives in us permanently.
1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30
*The Holy Spirit controls my life and tells of God’s plan for me.
Romans 12:1-2, 8:14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14
Hold on, stay faithful to God even when surrounded by others who are not.
