REVELATION 3:1
This week we are going out of order in the book of Revelation for the purposes of the sermon content and appropriateness for the congregation (the children will be staying in worship service this Sunday).
As we begin looking at the message to the church at Sardis, read the message in its entirety: Revelation 3:1-6.
The city of Sardis was the ancient capital of Lydia and was located on an important trade route between the east and west. As such it was a very wealthy city. Religiously, it stood at the center of pagan worship, most notably the worship of the goddess Artemis (see Acts 19 for more a glimpse of just how important Artemis was to the area). It is interesting to note that archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of a Christian church at the location of the ancient city… right next to the temple of Artemis. What significance this might have is unclear, but the possibilities are interesting to consider.
In addressing the church, Jesus refers to Himself as the one who holds the seven spirits of God (i.e. the Holy Spirit) and the seven stars (i.e. the elders or pastors of the seven churches). Jesus is the One who has authority and power over the churches and her leaders. What He is about to say ought not be ignored or taken lightly, for in the case of Sardis, she was in bad shape. What was her condition? Hypocrisy. They had a reputation for being alive – a flourishing and effective church – but inside Jesus knew they were dead.
Recently our Home Group was discussing how sometimes we can fall into the habit of doing good things, but for the wrong reasons. We can turn our faith into a list of do’s and don’ts and measure godliness by actions defined by us. The danger of that is Pharisaism, which is a heartless adherence to rules and deeds. If there was one thing that stood out in Jesus’ ministry it was His denouncing of hypocrisy. He hated it. It angered Him. Some of His harshest words are to the Pharisees on this subject (just read Matthew 23). While they looked good on the outside, in reality they were white-washed tombs.
It is clear that the mark of a healthy and pleasing church is not in its outward appearance alone. It must work from the inside out. According to James, works are a necessary part of our faith (James 2:18). But equally true is the necessity of an inward motivation first. It has been asked that if it requires the right motivation, then should I do the right thing with the wrong motivation? And to that we must recognize that doing the right thing is always the right thing. It is when we do the right thing with a wrong motivation (e.g. to look good, to avoid criticism, etc.) that we get into trouble. We mustn’t confuse bad motivations for bad feelings. We may not feel like doing the right thing, but it is still good and pleasing to God if we do it (although God prefers a cheerful giver). One can still have a heart for God but not have the feelings to obey and yet still obey. And who knows if doing the right thing while dragging our feet won’t produce in us a greater awareness and appreciation of God? I think God is pleased with that sacrifice of obedience. But to do something in order to look good in the sight of man, then that’s hypocrisy because it is not done with a heart for God.
Hypocrisy. God’s despises it. True “aliveness” begins on the inside. Avoid doing things because you want to look good on the outside. Do things because it will help make you better on the inside. Do it because it will help you grow a more Christ-centered life.
