[:en]SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 3
“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God” (Revelation 3:1-2)
“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8)
“I know yur deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one of the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth” ” (Revelation 3:15-16)
THE CHURCH IN SARDIS – (vs. 1-6)
Word From: Him who holds the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars
Strength: Good deeds
Weakness: Reputation of being alive but are dead
Remedy: Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die. Remember what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent.
Punishment: I will come like a thief and you will not know at what time I will come to you
Overcomers: They will be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life and acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA – (vs. 7-13)
Word From: Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David
Strength: You have little strength yet you kept my word and have not denied my name. You kept my command to endure patiently.
Weakness: None
Reward: I will keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
Overcomers: I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.
THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA – (vs. 14-22)
Words From: Words of Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation
Strength: Good deeds
Weakness: You are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other. You are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Remedy: Buy from me gold refined in the fire so you can become rich; and white cloth to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on yur eyes so you can see. Be earnest and repent.
Punishment: I am about to spit you out of my mouth
Overcomers: If anyone hears my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me. I will give the right to sit with me on my throne just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.
SARDIS – Dying Church
The church at Sardis had works and reputation for being alive but had no life at all. The problem was many church members were compromising with sin. The Book of Life contains the names of all true believers. Those who rejected Christ are not in the Book of Life. Those whose name are not in the Book of Life will go to hell.
PHILADELPHIA – Loving Church
Philadelphia means “brotherly love”. This church had saved people who loved each other and served the Lord. They had kept God’s command and endure patiently. Christ holds the key of David. He can shut and open the door. When Christ opened the door, the church took advantage of the opportunity to spread the gospel. God promised the church that she will not go through tribulation.
LAODICEA – Lukewarm Church
The name “Laodicea” means “the rule of the people”. It was a rich church with prestige, wealth and political power, but in reality she is poor, pitiful, blind and naked. It is a church that is neither warm nor cold. It diluted truth with errors. Their values, vestures and visions were incorrect. That is why God counseled them to receive garment of grace. God gave them white clothes to cover their nakedness and salve to put on eyes to see. The church no longer follow spiritual leaders or the authority of the Word of God. However, Christ stood at the door knocking wanting them to open and let Him come in.
LESSONS:
Sardis – A church with deeds but without life cannot please God. God wants us to hear His Word, receive it and obey it. Only true believer’s name will appear in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Is your name in the Book of Life?
Philadelphia – A true follower of Christ will keep God’s Word and will not deny His name. “Real faith” is manifested by “love”. Do you obey God’s command and love one other?
Laodicea – A church that has left God outside their plans and progress is spiritually poor. We need God to refine us to become rich; to clothe our shameful ways; and to open our eyes so that we can see. He is waiting for us to invite Him in. Are you willing to hear His voice and open the door?
In summary, the most important thing to remember is to hear the Word of God and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must hold on to our faith, keep His Word, show our love and not deny His name. Let us humble ourselves and submit to His spiritual diagnoses. Let us be willing to repent and return to Him to bring renewal.[:]