1. Sardis: Seeing Reality Revelation 3: 1-6

4. Sardis Seeing Reality Rev. 3:1-6 At Mt. Tmolus & Hermus River. Acropolis like a fort 1500 ft. tall. Croesus ruled here till Persian King Cyrus conquered (& Nebuchadnezzar Devastated by earthquake in 17 A.D. Bishop Melito of Sardis 1 st known commentary on Revelation. Most severe of 7 letters! Jesus again says “I know…”

5. Sardis Seeing Reality Rev. 3:1-6 They had a name – reputation… No false doctrine or moral failures… Active, talented, looks impressive! “Reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” v.1 “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.” Matthew 23:27 (of Pharisees)

6. Sardis Seeing Reality Rev. 3:1-6 “Hypocrisy and wickedness” Mt. 23:28 Samuel learned (1 Sam 16:7) “The L ORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the L ORD looks at the heart.” A few had “not soiled their clothes”, ‘small’ sins and no repentance. Outward and inward lives must match!

7. Sardis Seeing Reality Rev. 3:1-6 God never approves of those who “Come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” Is 29:13 All Hypocrisy is condemned by God! Jesus solution: Awake! Strengthen what remains! Obey that! Repent! The ‘few not dirty’ must wake up!

8. Sardis Seeing Reality Rev. 3:1-6 Faith must be exercised to be strong. Remember - devotion and enthusiasm. Remember – receiving the Spirit. The Spirit –remakes us within, fills with love, joy, peace; sanctifies us. ‘holds stars’ is care for each individual. Seven Spirits? Fullness of the Spirit! “Be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5: 18) ‘go on being filled’/‘always being filled’.

9. Sardis Seeing Reality Rev. 3:1-6 Daily renew repentance & obedience and by faith receive his filling. Then ‘keep it and obey it’, both true. Promise – white garments, the righteousness of God in Christ. - kept clean/cleaned are in book of Life. - Christ walks with us! Keep inward reality and purity. Be filled/keep being filled with Spirit! Always walk with Jesus!