CHURCHES OF REVELATION: 5. THE CHURCH AT SARDIS (Revelation 3:1-6) “Superficial Sardis – The Church of the Living Dead”
1. BE JOYFUL! (v4-5) Rejoice in the Lord, He is near 2. BE PRAYERFUL! (v6-7) Choose prayer not despair Let peace guard your heart & mind Pray about everything 3. BE THOUGHTFUL! (v8-9) Practise thought management by the power of the Holy Spirit: Truth, honour, justice, purity, loveliness, commendation, excellence & praise Emulate, demonstrate
1. PAUL’S MANDATE! (v19-20) To honour Christ: with joy… by the help of the Holy Spirit… by unashamed courageous boldness… by honouring Christ in his body 2. PAUL’S MOTTO! (v21-26) “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Living meant: Fruitfulness, Usefulness, Purpose Dying meant: Gain and Glory 3. PAUL’S MESSAGE!…
1) MINISTRY! (v23-25) I, Paul, became a minister… (Diakonos) according to the stewardship from God. Of Servanthood, Affliction, Proclamation. 2) MYSTERY! (v26-27) Christ in you, the hope of glory! 3) MATURITY! (v28-29) To present everyone mature in Christ
1. THE TEAM! (v1-3) Spiritual leaders worshipping, fasting, praying, sending Saul & Barnabas 2. THE TASK! (v4-5) They proclaim the word of God 3. THE TEST! a) Of Falsehood – Elymas b) Of Division – John Mark c) Of Conversion – Sergius Paulus
1. WHAT IS CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY? a) Welcome and provision b) Philo-xenia not xeno-phobia c) Unknown Christian guests d) Strangers e) From leaders 2. OUR HOSPITABLE HEAVENLY FATHER a) God our provider b) Jesus our example as provider and guest 3. HOW CAN WE OBEY THIS COMMAND? a) Stewardship b) The house at Bethany c) Opportunities…
1) A NEW HEART! Something radical 2) A NEW HELP! Someone powerful 3) A NEW HOPE! Something eternal