How to Raise the Dead

This is my Message for this Sunday, and NO I am NOT charismatic!

Revelation 3:1-6 How to Raise the Dead V. 1

Introduction:

1. In this passage of Scripture we read a letter that was dictated by Christ to the church of Sardis.

2. By way of introduction notice:

1. The Reputation of the Church of Sardis

1) They had the reputation that they were an alive and vibrant church.

2) When another church spoke of Sardis it would speak of a great church doing great things for the glory of God.

3) Ephesus might have said, “Their love for Christ is great.”

4) Pergamos might have proclaimed that "Sardis church solid church standing firmly upon the Word of God.”

5) Thyatira could have wondered and marveled at their great standards of separation from the world.

6) Smyrna might have thought that the believers @ Sardis were a great picture of what a healthy church should be.

7) Philidelphia might have looked upon this church as a great example of Christian service.

8) Laodecea might have thought that Sardis was a great place of vibrance and life.”

9) But the reality of this church was not as advertised.

2. The Reality of the church of Sardis

1) While others looked outwardly upon this church as a church that is vibrant, growing and alive, Christ gave us the reality of this church which was one of decay, & spiritual lifelessness!

2) This is a church whom the reputation does not match the reality.

3) And that startling reality revealed that while the church of Sardis had a good reputation that is was alive and well, in reality it was dead!

4) While others possible would look on the church with admiration, but here the Lord gives the church a condemnation.

3. As pastor of the Salem Baptist church I desire greatly that our church would have the proper testimony in the community which we are placed.

4. But more than just a testimony I would like for our church’s reputation to match the reality.

5. As a Christian I want my testimony to be one which brings honor and glory to Christ. But I want more than just a reputation of one who loves Christ. I want it to be a reality.

¨ Mt 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

6. One thing that I have learned in my Christian life is this: “It matters more what God knows I am, than what others think I am!”

NOTE:

¨ Think of Judas:

Reputation/ Possessor of Eternal Life

Reality/ Only a Professor of Eternal Life)

¨ Think of Annanias & Saphira

Reputation/ Compassionate towards the Saints

Reality/ Only Cared for Self

7. While the church of Sardis had the reputation of being alive and vibrant, in reality it was dead.

8. Like many, the Christian individually and the church collectively at Sardis were in great need of a resurrection.

NOTE:

¨ The church at Sardis needed something more than just activities to restore its life.

¨ This church needed something more than just special music to resuscitate its excitement and joy.

¨ This church needed something more than just preaching to give it life again.

9. What was it that this group of believers needed in order to have a spiritual resurrection?

10. Well in our text we will see to raise the dead.

I. Realize (vs. 1, 2)

1. These believers thought that everything was O.K. but it wasn’t.
2. They and their church was dead.
3. The organism of the church had become merely an organization.
4. This church was dead and didn’t know it!
5. It was continuing on in its activities, but there wasn’t life.
6. They continued on working, but toiling in the flesh and failing at the same time, because Jesus said that there works were not perfect before God.
7. Charles Spurgeon commented on verse two with these words:

“Have you ever read “the Ancient Mariner”? I dare say you thought it one of the strangest imaginations ever put together, especially that part where the old mariner represents the corpses of dead men rising up to man the ship; dead men pulling the rope; dead men at the oars’ dead men steering’ dead men spreading the sails! I thought what a strange idea, and yet I have lived to see that. I have gone into churches where there was a dead man in the pulpit, a dead man reading the scriptures, a dead man singing, a dead man taking the collection, and the pews were filled with the same.”

8. The first step of resurrecting the dead is to realize that there is problem.

¨ In the book of Malachi we see that the nation of Israel did not realize the shape that they were in.

1) Mal 1:2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

2) Mal 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

3) Mal 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

4) Mal 2:17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

5) Mal 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

¨ When Samson slept in Delilah’s lap and got up the next morning to fight the Philistines the bible says in Judges 16:20, “And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.”

9. So it is today Christian’s acting and in many cases believing that everything is all right when in actuality everything is all wrong.
10. May God this morning anoint our eyes with eye salve that we may see. Yes see the truth of our condition.

II. Remember (v. 3) “Remember”

¨ Ps 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. Ps 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

Remember God’s Word

Remember God’s Love

Remember God’s Mercy

Remember how you used to serve God

Remember how much you used to love Jesus

Remember how you used to long to be at church.

Remember the joy that you once hade.

Dear Christian let us remember!

III. Resolve (v. 3, 2) strengthen the things which remain.” “hold fast”

¨ Those things that you are doing that is right strengthen them

¨ Those things that you are doing which is wrong resolve to put them away.

IV. Repent (v. 3) “Repent”

¨ Repentance denotes 180 degree turn. It means a change!