1. Introduction:
After Ephesus (the Church at risk of losing his first love), Izmir (the Church passes through the crucible of suffering and persecution), Pergamon (church doctrine that opens to the mixture), Thyatira (The church led by a false prophetess) in Sardis is that the Lord takes us this morning in this overview is that churches that are in the province of Asia (now Turkey).
What is immediately striking, when reading the letter to this church is the contrast that can be seen with the two churches mentioned it before. While a some continuity between Pergamum and Thyatira (the introduction of the mixture and the seizure of power by a false prophet), there is, with Sardis, a flagrant breach what might be called the infiltration of the leaven of error and of heresy in the Church.
If Sardis also receives from the Lord some criticisms, none of them is related to the fact that the theological, that professes or practices that the Church of Sardis would be false or tainted by error. All, however, in terms of practice as the message said, seems fair. Yet, as we shall see, the diagnosis made on the church of Sardis by the Great Doctor, Jesus, our Lord will be one of the most alarming of all. Sardis has'm apparently in better health than her sisters, this is only true if you look at the surface of things. In fact, deep within herself, she is perhaps even more danger and closer to death than others.
What makes a church, in apparent good health, is really sick to the point of being ready to die? What does it take for that, beyond the surface appearances, a church remains alive and continues to demonstrate, with the passage of time, energy, vitality? That's what we'll try to think this morning
2. Sardis: a little history
If it is the church of Sardis, the Lord says it is believed to be alive when she died, it is not unrelated to history of the city where it is located. Indeed, at a time when John wrote, Sardis, a city once known and famous, is more than a city without importance, perhaps like the town of Guise in Aisne, has no influence in the world that because of his past.
Built on a plateau surrounded by the river Pactolus, the city of Sardis had a double privilege, I am sure would have liked to have other cities:
- the first lien is it was a city reputed to be impregnable. Placed high, Sardis was protected on 3 sides by deep gorges and inaccessible. It could therefore be accessed only by one side, and a very steep path. By its geographical position, Sardis could boast of being virtually impregnable or invulnerable. In Greece, "take the Acropolis of Sardis" was a proverbial expression meaning: trying something impossible
In the year 546 BC, King Cyrus of Persia succeeded, however, to capture of Sardis. Having promised a special reward to those who, in his army, would find a way to conquer the fortress, he found himself one day a soldier of the party saw a sentinel of Sardis losing his helmet, leaning over the bulwark. The watchman then left his post and, more discreetly possible down the rocks, recovered his helmet, and climbed the same steep path into the fortress. Hyeroeades, Private Cyrus, watching the watchman, took careful note of his career. The same night, with a few brave friends, he began to climb to the fortress by the path taken by the sentinel. At the top, he discovered that the side on which he rode seemed so safe for the inhabitants of the city it was even guarded. Thus Sardis was taken by the only weak point of his defense
The character deemed impregnable city Sardis was the first such privilege to its reputation! He was not alone!
- apart from its geographical position, Sardis had a reputation for something else: his great wealth. This wealth was due to a surprising discovery. So he reigned in Sardis, a legend relates that King Croesus would one day found in the stream which bathed named Pactolus Sardis, glitter of gold. We have also found, near the city, a precious stone of great beauty, sardonyx. Croesus, Pactolus, sardonyx, all these names today still ringing in our ears as synonymous with riches, come from Sardis.
impregnable fortress, because of his high position and great wealth, such was the double privilege, which in ancient times had the reputation of the city of Sardis. This is also a spiritual and figuratively, which was possibly outside, because of its commitment to truth and sound doctrine of the Word, the reputation of the church of Sardis: a church perfect!
But is it enough for a church to have a doctrine or fair to believe just to be in the eyes of God and Christ, a church fair? No! The Lord says here that I recall, in terms of diagnosis, is best placed to assess the strengths, weaknesses and actual health status of a community. While in appearance all seemed to go, what was missing in the church of Sardis in point, says the Lord, that this church is on the brink of death? That's what we'll try to see and understand now!
3. Sardis: A church on the verge of dying
As is the other letters in the Lord sent to churches, we do not need to go far to seek remedies that are required to apply to Sardis for the church regain its vitality. For if Sardis is about to die, is that once she was alive and vibrant. It is therefore sufficient, as Jesus says here to return to what it has received and understood at the outset, that is to say back to that early in its existence, has been the source of his life to live again!
first element: it is in the title by which Jesus comes to church Sardis: These things says He who has the seven spirits of God (or, as translated Living Word, who in his fullness MIND) ...
The first thing the Lord emphasizes that what is that a church is alive or not is not primarily the accuracy of his doctrine, but the fact that this church is living and animated by the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God, we know, is the breath of God. Now, just a body without breath is dead, a church where the Spirit of God does more died. One dead, apparently, may actually resemble a living! But if in all aspects of life, it is however a fundamental thing it lacks. And this one thing is enough to make the difference between him and the living: it is the breath.
What is, over time, a church that began to live by the Spirit, then come to ruin, or somehow run out, so that its very existence is in danger? The Bible gives essentially an answer to this question:
Galatians 3.1 to 5: the loss or extinction of life of the Spirit in Galatians was only one thing (and the problem the Galatians should be pretty much the same as that of Christians of Sardis): return to a life marked by own efforts, the efforts of the flesh, trying to live up to the requirements of God.
After starting their new life by the Spirit of God, Galatians, under the influence of false teachers were somehow returned back: like the Jews of the Old Testament, all their efforts to please God were again based on obedience to rituals and rules by which they sought to appease their consciences.
What is the Christian life? If we find him a hand, we could say that what is most opposed and which, paradoxically, it looks like the most (as death can look like a living), is the religious life because, while the One, the Christian life is driven by love for God, one that communicates precisely the Spirit of God, the other (religious life) is only because the fear of God (in the sense that is more negative ): see Rom 8:15
Questions: What motivates you each day to seek to please God? To escape the sin ? To take time with God read your Bible, pray? The answer to this question is outside the disclosure of which is the engine of your Christian life: the flesh or the Spirit! If what you are doing here is only due to fear, fear of displeasing others, fear of not being blessed, then I must tell you that this is not the Spirit of God, but by the flesh are you trying to worship Him. All your efforts in that spirit are useless. They can not take you forward only one thing: the spiritual exhaustion, death.
cons If what motivates you is the thirst for God, hunger for His word, the desire to know Him better serve and be a better witness of Him in this world, then rejoice: you're on track, your life is animated by the right motivation, the one that Spirit of God alone can produce in the heart of a sinner.
4. The four differences between the dead and the living
If the breath is the main difference between the dead and the living, there are others who are, too, manifests
- 1st is the desire, while the living is hungry or thirsty, the dead, He feels no longer needed. Having more life in him, he feels no need to feed themselves, nor to drink. If no hunger, no thirst or spiritual does not live in me, I can perhaps be seen to be living in reality, I'm dead!
- the second is the breathing that you can look here for prayer. How important is prayer in your life? In saying this I do not ask how long you spend in prayer: people of all religions pray! What I mean is: is it that prayer, like breathing is a reflex in your life, a conditioned reflex! "Lord, I go to my work this morning with me, be with me. I'm meeting this afternoon person, solving such a problem to accompany me, inspires me! Such is the life of prayer inspired by the Spirit. It is not a duty to perform, but the expression of our sense of God's continuing dependence to live well and succeed at what we do.
- The 3rd is the word. If there's one thing that separates the living world of the dead, is communication. While death is silent forever, the living talking and sharing their emotions and thoughts. Clear evidence that the Spirit God lives and acts in us, the apostles say, is that we can not keep silent. It's stronger than us: we need when we have the opportunity or not, about Jesus, our Beloved
"I thought, so I spoke, Paul says in 2 Cor 4.13 . "Is it just the sight of God to obey you rather than God? asked the apostles of the Sanhedrin members who wanted to forbid them to testify of Jesus. You be the judge, for us, we can not but speak of what we saw and heard: Proceedings 4.19 to 20. "
Another difference related to communication is the practice of singing. While the words are silent, it by singing the living express their joy. The Spirit-filled life is inseparable from the song: Ephesians 5.18 to 19 .
- The 4th difference between the dead and the living is movement. While death is an inert, inactive, unable to serve others, the living, it is continuously occupied by new projects.
Note that if, at Sardis, the Lord is that some works were performed, there is a fundamental difference between les œuvres que pratique celui qui vit sous une loi et celui qui est animé par l’Esprit de Dieu. Cette différence est que celui qui est conduit par l’Esprit de Dieu ne se contentera pas de faire pour faire, mais il aura le souci réel de servir Dieu et les autres tout en faisant : Actes 6,3 . La Bible n’exigeait pas seulement de ceux qui prêchaient qu’ils soient remplis de l’Esprit, mais aussi de ceux qui servaient aux tables !
5. Le syndrome de Sardes :
Si Sardes, de vivante qu’elle était, est devenue morte, il y a là un avertissement pour nous. Ce qui est arrivé à Sardis can happen to us. History shows that, particularly in the Protestant world, world built on such a doctrine just Sardis, Sardis syndrome has affected many churches: witness the ruins of hundreds of temples once full and empty now.
What's wrong or not gone? I defer to Alain Monclair , a brother that I read on Intenet preaching on the subject:
"In general, we all are vigilant in our first steps with the Lord, but sometimes a time when automation can give us a false assurance. Therefore the Lord invites us to remember our first step in faith, faith that comes from listening to His Word. He invites us to live our entire lives in this initial attitude. The Christians of Thessalonica were models in this respect: "That's why we give thanks to God that by receiving the word of God, we've heard, you have received, not as the word men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, who works in you who believe. "(1 Thessalonians 2:13 NEG).
Entering the Christian life not start his life is to receive a new life. This new life is Jesus himself, we received the day of our conversion and we remain in Him and He in us every day of our new life: "So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him "(Colossians 2:6 NEG).
Letter to the Hebrews also warns against the danger of not continuing to walk according to the principles of life that we have discovered to conversion: "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we held firm until the end of the insurance we had at the beginning. "(Hebrews 3:14 NEG)
We are called to live continually in the Lord through the Holy Spirit and listen to his Word. The passage of time does not erode this vital principle. But our standards of living should not be legalistic, they must be based on a lived relationship with Jesus Christ through the Spirit.
One day Jesus will return is a certainty for the Christian. The only thing that is unknown is the time when He returns. We must So be ready to welcome the King of glory as we have welcomed into our Savior conversion. The Lord is not a thief, but if we are not careful in our expectations we may consider his coming as an intrusion into our lives and a nasty surprise! By cons, if we wait for His coming will be a pleasant and wonderful surprise. It is hard to imagine that the Lord to come back later because we would not be ready to appreciate his coming! Let us therefore accept it with as much alacrity as at our conversion. "
6. Conclusion:
There is much more to say on the subject of death and life of a church. What I want to remember in conclusion, what are the lessons arising from the warning given by the Lord to Sardis
- 1st teaching: the Lord loves the church of Sardis. Far from wishing to see it go, he aspires only one thing: to revive, to restore momentum, vitality, enthusiasm who lived at its birth. We can always return to God to taste again the joy that was one of our first days with him
- 2nd teaching: although the majority of the members of the church of Sardis is in death, God knows those whom He can still count among its members to revive it. It is those who have not soiled their clothes through the removal of God but who lived in the light and let themselves purified by the blood of Christ: 1 John 1:9
- 3rd instruction: we can look at within a church like us, are alive when we are dead. But the day comes when we can no longer deceive the world. Date is the return of the Lord. So those who are with Him, truly, have been inhabited and animated by the Life that was in Him!
God forbid we be satisfied with being part of a church fair, based on sound doctrine, but he gives us and gives us every day to be inhabited by a real motivation to follow Him and serve! Demons believe they have the right doctrine, but they tremble: Jacques 2.19
SCHEDULE: Sardis in the history of the Church
Evaluation done by Luther end of his life on the movement born of the Reformation:
"In considering what people do who call themselves evangelicals and they know about Christ, we realize that there is nothing behind this occupation . Most of them are deceiving themselves. The number of those who started with us and took pleasure in our teaching was ten times larger than now, where not even a tenth of them remained loyal. They learn without doubt, as the parrot, repeating the words, but they have not experienced it in their hearts. They are exactly what they are. They do not understand and feel how God is true and faithful. They boast a lot of gospel and primarily want to seriously, and then there's nothing left. Because they do what they love to indulge their lusts, become worse than they were before and are much more unruly and arrogant than other people. Peasants, burghers and nobles, all are greedy and undisciplined that under the papacy ... Ah! Lord God, if only we really practiced this doctrine is not, as now, a thousand people who take the sacrament, but barely a hundred. There would be less of these horrible sins that the Pope, by his infernal law, has flooded the world, we would Finally a Christian assembly, whereas now we're almost real pagans named Christian. We could separate from us by those who show their works they have never believed and never had a life, that is now impossible! "
I am coming soon!
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