February 14, 2010 Pastor Scott Snowden
On the one hand, … but on the other…
A Progress Report from Jesus…
#6. To the angel of the church in Sardis write…
Revelation 3:1
Have you ever tried to fly a kite on a calm day? Without sufficient wind, it is a waste of time and energy. What would a wind-less church look like? Activity, effort, maybe even determination, but no results. Eventually that church would be discouraged and settle for merely talking about the “good old days.” All of our planning, organization and effort cannot compensate for the absence of the Holy Spirit.
“ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
Zechariah 4:6
How does a church recognize when it is coasting on reputation? How can a church get back its “wind”? In this, the 5th letter, Jesus shows us how to plug into our true power source- the Holy Spirit.
1. I say…
“These are the words of Him
who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.”
Revelation 3:1
- who holds the seven spirits of God- a reference to the Holy Spirit.
“Unless I go away, the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you;
but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
John 16:7
- the seven stars- a reference to the teaching elders/ pastors of each congregation.
“The seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches…”
Revelation 1:20
- Jesus determines how and in whom
the Holy Spirit will operate in His church.
2. I know…
“I know your deeds…
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes.”
Revelation 3:1, 4
- There are still signs of _ACTIVITY_ (your deeds).
- There are still signs of _LIFE_ (a few people).
The patient is still _TWITCHING_ and has a _PULSE_!
3. I see…
“But if you do not wake up…”
Revelation 3:1-3
- Get an _HONEST_EVALUATION_ of my spiritual condition.
- Am I _COASTING_ on yesterday’s (last year’s) momentum?
“…you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”
- Am I willing to break out of my comfortable _ROUTINE_?
“Wake up!”
- Am I intentionally _MATCHING_ my gifts and abilities with the available opportunities to use them?
“Strengthen what remains and is about to die,
for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of My God.”
- Am I committed to the mission of the _CHURCH_?
“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard;
obey it and repent.”
- Get _SERIOUS_ about being a follower of Jesus.
“They will walk with Me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.”
Revelation 3:4
- walk _AWAY_ from my sinful past.
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
Colossians 3:7
- walk _IN_ the example that Jesus set.
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 st Corinthians 11:1
- walk _TOWARD_ the glory that awaits me.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
- Get, and stay, _FILLED_ with the Holy Spirit.
“These are the words of Him who holds the seven spirits of God…”
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to…
- _HUMBLE_ me so I can accept God’s grace.
“When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt
in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”
John 16:8
- _TEACH_ me so I will know the truth.
“But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes,
He will guide you into all truth.”
John 16:13
- _HELP_ me so I can be more like Jesus.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22, 23
- _EQUIP_ me so I can serve others.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There are different kinds of working,
but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given
for the common good.
1 st Corinthians 12:4-7
4. I promise…
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 3:5, 6
- Personal revival _ENSURES_ my continued sanctification.
“He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.”
- White is a symbol of holiness, purity,
victory and celebration.
All of these are mine through active faith in Jesus.
- Personal revival _SECURES_ my eternal residence in Heaven.
“I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life,
but will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels.”
- Jesus is referring here to the practice
of having the citizens of a city listed in a registry.
When a person died, his name would be removed from the roll.
The point is not that salvation (eternal life) can be lost,
but that, unlike citizenship in a State,
my place in Heaven is secure.
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