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Oct 30, 2022

7 Letters of Revelation - 6 - Sardis - Say My Name

Passage: Revelation 3:1-6

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: Seven Letters

Category: Grace Brevard

Keywords: wake up, watchful

It is easy to slide into a “that can never happen to me” overconfidence, thinking that we are above certain failures and, therefore, those who have fallen in those ways are somehow “less” than we are. This mindest comes from an over-confidence in our own strength, an under-estimation of our enemy and a forgetfulness of our True Protector. Jesus is calling us to “wake up” to our arrogant self-confidence and return to Christ-Confidence which results in unfailing and eternally secure love.

THEME
It is easy to slide into a “that can never happen to me” overconfidence, thinking that we are above certain failures and, therefore, those who have fallen in those ways are somehow “less” than we are. This mindest comes from an over-confidence in our own strength, an under-estimation of our enemy and a forgetfulness of our True Protector. Jesus is calling us to “wake up” to our arrogant self-confidence and return to Christ-Confidence which results in unfailing and eternally secure love.

CENTRAL TEXT: Rev 3:1-6

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

 Sermon Discussion Questions

Did you have a nickname growing up (or still today)?
- What are you “known” for?

Talk about this Winston Churchill quote during WW2: “...next to cowardice and treachery, overconfidence leading to neglect and slothfulness, is the worst of wartime crimes.”

What things do we look to for our confidence? (like Sardis’ cliffs)

What makes a church healthy?
What makes a Christian healthy?

How has Jesus’ death and resurrection purchased these final the two gifts and what do they mean for us?
   - Dressed in pure white
   - Given a permanent name

The final applications in this passage are pretty much the same applications the Gospel always gives...how are these so universal, realistic and encouraging...and how do they apply to you right now?

  -- Remember -- Re-believe the Gospel
  -- Keep - Live your outer life in accord with your inner hope
  -- Repent -- Perpetually go back to Remember and Keep

Call To Worship: (read by the Helms)    

Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

 

BENEDICTION:

Numbers 6
24 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.