SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 3
BIBLE VERSES:
“These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 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 found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” (Revelation 3:1-3)
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Revelation 3:15-18/-)
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20)
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21)
TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS (vs. 1-6)
Words of him who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars
- Strength: Good deeds
- Weakness: Reputation of being alive but you are dead
- Remedy: Wake up and strengthen what remains. Obey what you have received and heard. Repent
- Punishment: I will come like a thief and you will not know what time I will come.
- Reward: You will walk with me dressed in white
- Overcomes: You will dressed in white and your name is in the book of life which I will acknowledge.
TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA (vs. 7-13)
Words of him who is Holy and tur who holds the key of David
- Strength: You have kept my word and have not denied my name. You have endured patiently.
- Rewards: I will make those belong to Satan fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I love. I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world. I will make a pillar in the temple of my God for you. I will write unto the name of my God and the name of the city of my God and my new name on him.
- Advice: Hold on to what you have
- Overcomers: I will make a pillar in the temple of my God for you.
- I will write the name of my God and the name of the city of my God and my new name on him
TO THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA (vs. 14-22)
Words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
- Strength: None
- Weakness: You are neither cold nor hot. You are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
- Punishment: I will spit you out of my mouth.
- Counsel: Buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich. Buy white cloth to wear to cover your shameful nakedness. Put salve on your eyes to see. Be earnest and repent.
- Rewards: If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.
- Overcomers: To Whom who overcome, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne
REFLECTION: (By Warren Wiersbe)
Church in Sardis (a Dying Church) – It is a church with great reputation of works but in reality, their ministry did not live up to its name. Many people were compromising with sin. They looked good on the outside but so corrupt inside. When a person is without Christ, his name will not be in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Church in Philadelphia (the Model Church) – Philadelphia means “brotherly love”. It was also called the serving church because it kept His word and endured patiently for Christ. God will protect and sustain us in the hours of trial if we are faithful to His name.
Church in Laodicea (the Apostate Church) – Laodicea means “the rule of the people”. It was a democratic church that did not follow the authority of the Word. It is lukewarm – neither hot or cold because the church diluted truth with error. Being lukewarm is distasteful and repugnant. People are indifferent without stand. They are hardened and self-satisfied. This church was rich because of its prestige, wealth and political connection. However, it was spiritual poor. The people lacked spiritual enthusiasm. They were indifferent towards Christ. Christ was being left outside their plans and progress. We should be careful to listen to the voice of God and keep His word. We must submit to him in order to bring spiritual renewal.
Summary:
No matter how much you possess or how much money you make, you have nothing if you did not have a vital relationship with Christ. Do not center your life primarily on comfort and luxury. Instead, find true riches in Christ. Possessions and achievements are valueless compared with the everlasting future of Christ’s kingdom.
The pleasures of this world – money, security, material possessions- can be dangerous because these temporary satisfaction make us indifferent to God’s offer of lasting satisfaction. When God knocks at the door of your heart, let him enter because it is your only hope for lasting fulfillment. Have you decided to open your life to him? How is your spiritual condition now?