A Church Approved by God: Wake Up

A Church Approved by God: Wake Up            
Sardis    
Revelation 3:1-6  Page # 1227

I. The City: Sardis
     1. Was captured when soldiers left their post (1500 ft up)
     2. Known for its wool, precious stones, and hot springs
     3. Artemis was their main god.
     4. Had greatly impacted the church

II. The Lord: He gives and oversees life.

III. The Warning: Stop pretending and come alive.
     1. Reputation, but little to no transformation
     2. Impressive, but no eternal impact
     3. Worldly approval, but not God honoring
     4. Charismatic leaders, but not godly leadership
     5. Professing righteousness, but compromising
     6. Prosperous, but spiritually bankrupt and shallow
     7. Focusing on ministry, but not salvation

Matthew 23:27-28 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees…For you are like whitewashed tombs…on the outside appear beautiful…inside they are full of…all impurity…you outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Matthew 13:24-25 – Jesus said, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat.”
     1. Wake up
     2. Strengthen what remains
     3. Remember the truth
     4. Obey the Word
     5. Repent

IV. The Encouragement: I see the righteous few.

V. The Lord and His promises: He gives life, righteousness, security, and 
     approval.

Revelation 20:11-15

Revelation 21:22-27

Faith Sheet  

Transformation verse - “The one who says he lives in Him should walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6

Main Themes      
~ The Lord Jesus is the only One who gives life, righteousness, security,
   and approval. (John 14:6)
~ Many people are pretending to be alive in Christ. (Matt. 7:21-23)
~ The Lord sees and oversees His righteous few even though the world
   often rejects His people. (John 15:18-27)

 #1- Reviewing this Past Sunday      
A Church Approved by God: Wake Up            
Sardis – Revelation 3:1-6

1. Read Revelation 3:1-6. Discuss the message with someone.
2. What did you learn about the Lord and His people?
3. How are believers dressed in heaven, and what does this reveal about us
    and our Redeemer? (4:1-4, 6:9-11, 7:9-17, and 19:11-16)
4. Why can a respectable reputation, popularity, and worldly achievement
    be so dangerous to a local church? (Luke 6:20-26, John 15:18-20, James
    4:3-4)
5. The Lord says His return will be like a thief in the night. What does that
    mean for us now and then? (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)
6. Focus on His promises in Revelation 3:5. How might these truths impact
    our daily lives and relationships?
7. Pray for someone who needs to know and treasure Christ.

 # 2- Preparing for Next Sunday    
A Church Approved by God: Be Obedient
Philadelphia – Revelation 3:7-13

1. How did the Lord describe Himself, and what power does He possess?
   (3:7)
2. Why is it important to us that in today’s world the Lord is holy and true?
3. What characteristics marked this church? (3:8)
4. What does the Lord say about those who professed to be Jews, and what
    will the Lord soon cause them to do? (3:9)
5. What is soon coming, and what is the Lord’s promise? (3:10-11)
6. How are His people to prepare for what is coming? (3:11)
7. What is the Lord’s promise to His people? (3:12)
8. Who does the Lord want to heed this message? (3:13)
9. What are you doing now to prepare for His return? How are you
    preparing your family and friends for His return?