1. THE DEAD CHURCH Revelation 3:1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ' These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 "You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled

2. their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' 1. Sardis had a history of past glory 2. Sardis had history of overconfidence 3. By the end of the first century, Sardis was living on its past glory

3. Revelation 3:1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ' These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. A church can be dead even when appears to be alive 1 Timothy 5:6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives Revelation 3:2 "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God

4. Revelation 3:3 "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Revelation 3:4 "You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy

5. Revelation 3:5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ‘ IF we overcome then he will not remove our name from the book 1. church at Corinth 2. church at Ephesus

6. Signs to watch for 1. A church is only as strong as its individual members 2. Neglected Bible classes A. Bible classes being taught from secular books B. Christians not attending Bible classes 3. Neglect from the pulpit 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

7. 4. Neglecting to evangelize Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 5. Neglect of the meeting house

8. Things learned from this lesson 1. Congregations can be labeled dead by God even if they appear to be alive by man. 2. There is always hope for a dead church to come back alive. 3. Ever person plays an important role in the strength of a congregation. 4. We have to watch for the signs of a dieing congregation. The best course of action is to never become a dead church in the first place.