The Letter to the Church in Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)

1. Rebuke (vv.1-2)
2. Correction (vv.2a, 3a)
3. Warning (v.3b)
4. Promise (vv.4-5)

Summary:  We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Sardis.  From man's perspective, the church in Sardis was a success, but, for God's perspective, they were spiritually sluggish and therefore in great need of a wake up call.  In fact, Jesus said that they were spiritually "dead" and that their works fell shamefully short of what God expects His redeemed people.  And, while there were some happy exceptions who had not "soiled their garments" with sluggish devotion (v.4), Jesus clearly desires every Christian and every church to conquer their spiritual sloth, to be fully alive and genuinely awake in the eyes of God.

Main Point: All churches and Christians are called to conquer their tendency to spiritual sloth by actively remembering and obeying God's word.  

Discussion Questions:

• Is it possible for a Christian and/or church to not have much by way of outward or obvious sins and yet still be in a seriously unhealthy spiritual state? Explain.
• Why does Jesus rebuke the church in Sardis? (vv.1-2)
• What is the differences between sins of omission and sins of commission? (For extra study on on sins of omission see James 4:17; Rom. 7:14-20; Lk. 10:30-37; Matt. 25:31-46).
• What steps does Jesus give to correct and conquer the tendency to spiritual sloth? (v.2a, v.3a)
• What can people expect from Jesus if they do not conquer their spiritual sloth? (v.3b)
• What promises are made to those who do conquer their spiritual sloth? (vv.4-5)

Application Questions:

• Am I spiritually awake or spiritually sleepy? Explain.
• What are things that I know God would have me doing that I am failing to do?  
• How important is it to God that I live an active and obedient life marked by good works as opposed to merely avoiding doing bad things? 
• What changes should I make or what strategies should I employ in order to conquer my tendency to be spiritually lazy?
• How can we believers help one another stay spiritually awake on our journey to heaven?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for securing our acceptance before God by His active obedience to the Father
• Praise Jesus for this merciful wake up call
• Ask God to help you say no to temptation AND live a life of Christ-like, active obedience