THE CHURCH THAT HAD A NAME (5 OF 7)
Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6
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The Church That Had a Name (5 of 7)
Series: The 7 Churches in Revelation
Richard Bradley
Revelation 3:1-6
We all have a name. Our name is important because it's our most obvious identifying characteristic. However, this is not how Jesus used the word. When Jesus said that the church at Sardis had a name, He was referring to their reputation and not the name that would have been on their church sign. Any church has both an identifying name and a reputation in the community. Some reputations are good and some are bad. Some reputations enhance the church's ability attract people and some do not. Some reputations are true and honest and some are not.
The church at Sardis had a reputation that it was alive but according to the risen Christ it was spiritually dead. You see, it doesn't matter what the community says about us, the only thing that really matters is what Jesus says.
Revelation 3:1-6
1 ''And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ''I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but 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.'''
Churches spend a lot of time and resources enhancing their reputation when the real question is how to improve our reputation with Christ ...
Series: The 7 Churches in Revelation
Richard Bradley
Revelation 3:1-6
We all have a name. Our name is important because it's our most obvious identifying characteristic. However, this is not how Jesus used the word. When Jesus said that the church at Sardis had a name, He was referring to their reputation and not the name that would have been on their church sign. Any church has both an identifying name and a reputation in the community. Some reputations are good and some are bad. Some reputations enhance the church's ability attract people and some do not. Some reputations are true and honest and some are not.
The church at Sardis had a reputation that it was alive but according to the risen Christ it was spiritually dead. You see, it doesn't matter what the community says about us, the only thing that really matters is what Jesus says.
Revelation 3:1-6
1 ''And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ''I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but 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.'''
Churches spend a lot of time and resources enhancing their reputation when the real question is how to improve our reputation with Christ ...
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