GOD's Warning To A Dead Church

We have been studying the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3. This morning we will look at the fifth church, the church in Sardis (3:1).
There is something different about this church. For the first time, we see no word of commendation (cf. 2:2, 9, 13, 19). Right from the start there is only a word of rebuke –“I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (3:1).
RECOGNIZE THEIR SPIRITUAL CONDITION - Sardis had a big name, so they thought everything was OK (3:1).
REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR THEM - The believers in Sardis were told to remember therefore how they had received and heard (3:3).
REPENT AND GET THINGS RIGHT WITH GOD - Revelation 3:3b is a warning to dead, unregenerate church members (cf. I Thess. 5:1-9).
Those who refuse to repent will have their names blotted out of the book of life (3:5). Those that are truly saved will overcome (3:5) the world, the flesh, and the devil. So there was still hope, but they had to recognize their spiritual deadness. Our Lord says in Rev. 3:2, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain…”