Life Ministries

The Bride - Conclusion
Revelation 3

Sardis:

    In all of the other letters to the churches, Jesus complimented the church. He told them what was good about their church, and then followed with his condemnation. Here, for the church at Sardis,  there is no good word.
They had a reputation of being a going and growing church. They did everything right. They were a busy church. They appeared to be flourishing. From outward appearance, they looked good. But, that was not the reality.
    Man’s evaluation is not always the same as God’s. The church needs to consider what Jesus says about it rather than what men say. We are too prone to be concerned about what we think of each other rather than what the Lord thinks about us. What appeared to flourish, Jesus says was actually dead. Here was a church that was dead and didn’t know it. Jesus is not so concerned about the activities we engage in, the promises we make or the things we do, rather he looks at the heart…What does the heart reveal? What are the signs of life in a church?
First, there Is Growth. Not just numerical growth. There are many kinds of growth.
(1) Growth within the life of the church family.
(2) Growth in faith through service.
(3) Growth in being a witness for Christ.
(4) Growth in stewardship of time and money.
(5) Growth in our knowledge and relationship with God and each other.
Second, there is compassion and love for each other, and love for the lost.
Third, there is unity. (Division and “clicks” is a sign of decay and death.
Fourth, there is emotion. People don’t walk around like zombies. There is laughter and joy, and genuine concern. There is sharing and caring between all people of all ages. Paul warns Timothy about a time when people will “have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.”

Philadelphia:

The Messiah is the One who has the key of David. Jesus has the key to the kingdom from where all blessings flow. He has the key to grace. All who would find salvation must find it in Him. He has the key that will unlock all the bars and barriers to man’s heart. He has the key to health and healing. He has the key to heaven. Jesus has all authority on earth and in Heaven. What He opens, no one can shut and what He shuts no one can open. (Isa. 22:22).
“I know your deeds” says Jesus. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Because of their faithful testimony and witness, Jesus places before them an open door. Most likely the door Christ opened for them was the same one He had earlier opened for Paul at Ephesus, a door of effective service (1 Cor. 16:9). The Lord of the Harvest was saying that if they would walk through the door of opportunity He was opening they would find the fields white unto harvest. It would not be easy, for this church had only a little strength. It was not a large church. It had not many significant members. It lacked financial strength, but with what spiritual strength it had, it was faithful in using for the glory of Christ. When a church is doing what it is supposed to be doing for God’s glory and the sake of the kingdom, God opens doors! No matter how big or how small…I truly believe that. I have experienced that!
    Verse 10 gives a specific promise in regard to the Great Tribulation. Because you have kept the word of my perseverance, I also will keep you out of the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth. I have often said if something is true, the opposite is also true…so, what does this say to churches that are not true to God’s Word?

Laodicea:

To this church Jesus has no word of commendation, neither is there any word of condemnation for false teaching or immorality. The trouble at Laodicea is the trouble with many churches today; they were neither hot or cold.    
    The Greek words are striking, and we are left no doubt concerning their meaning. Cold means icy cold and hot means boiling hot. Jesus would prefer us to boil or freeze rather than simmer down into a luke-warmness. Outright rejection of faith is better than the insensitivity to it of the Laodiceans. To profess Christianity while remaining untouched by its fire is a disaster for the church and for the world. To profess truth and not act as if it were true is enough to make God sick. They said they believed, but lived like it was unimportant.  It’s kind of like reading a sign that says “wet paint” and believing that it is wet…and even touching it to see if it is wet… and then sitting in it anyway!
Conclusion:
What do you notice about these seven letters to the churches? I think that most churches could find a little of each one in them…But, Jesus still loves the church no matter which one. Any church can become a Philadelphia church…where God will open doors of great opportunity but it requires recognition of our problem, repentance, and “change.” Don’t forget who Jesus is writing to: the “church” the “bride” the one whom He loves and desires to be with and enjoy forever!