What Would Jesus Write to Us? | A Sermon On Romans 12:3 & Revelation 1-3

Romans 12:3
Because of the privilege and authority^[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Introduction
This is the last sermon in this series about Jesus’ letters to the 7 churches in Revelation (Rev1-3).  And the message today will be much different than the ones before. This will be a summary of all we’ve heard so far.  But it will also be a chance for you to reflect and pray and ask: What is Jesus saying to me today?

So here’s what I will do.  I’m going to briefly summarize the message of each letter Jesus wrote.  Then, I will suggest a few questions for you to ask yourself.

But what you do in today’s sermon is as important as anything I say.  You need to honestly and prayerfully reflect on these questions for yourself.  Them pray about it to the Lord.  Because Jesus is here.  He walks among us.  And Jesus still speaks.  And we need to have ears to hear and listen to what He says.  Are you ready?

Ephesus
To the church in Ephesus, Jesus praised their hard work, endurance, and refusal to tolerate evil. But He rebuked them for losing their first love and He called them to repent and return to the passion they had at the beginning of their walk with Him.

Now I want you to prayerfully ask yourself a few questions.  This is just between you and Jesus.  

Ask yourself:

1.     Have I let my faith become more about duty, knowledge, or activity than about a genuine love relationship with Jesus?

2.     What specific step could I take this week to rekindle my “first love” for Jesus—whether in prayer, worship, or service?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Lord Jesus, forgive us when our love for You grows cold. Rekindle the passion we once had, that we may serve You not only with our hands and minds but with joyful, devoted love. Draw us back to our first love—You. Amen.”

Smyrna & Philadelphia
What Jesus said to Smyrna was very similar to what He said to Philadelphia.  So we’ll address these two churches together.  Jesus commended both for remaining faithful

despite Smyrna facing terrible persecution and Philadelphia being weak and small.  Jesus encouraged them to continue to remain faithful amidst their trials and they would receive eternal rewards.

Ask yourself:

1. How do I typically respond when life feels hard, unfair, or overwhelming—do I lean into Christ or shrink back in fear or doubt?
2. In what ways might I be underestimating how God can use me, even if I feel weak, small, or insignificant?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Faithful Lord, I’m glad You see us even in our weakness and trials. Strengthen us to endure, to hold fast to Your Word, and to remain faithful to the end. Keep our eyes on the crown of life You have promised. Amen.”

Pergamum & Thyatira
Pergamum and Thyatira also received similar words from the Lord, but more critical.  Pergamum was commended for holding fast to Jesus’ name even in a city full of idolatry.  Jesus commended Thyatira for their love, faith, service, and endurance.  However, Jesus rebuked them both for tolerating sin and false teaching.  He sternly warned them to repent, resist compromise, and remain faithful to God’s Word.

Ask yourself:

1.     Are there areas in my life where I’ve tolerated sin or compromise, excusing what I know is not pleasing to God?

2.     What would it look like for me to take a firm stand for holiness this week, even if it costs me something?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Lord Jesus, You’re Word is sharper than a double-edged sword. Forgive us where we have compromised Your truth or tolerated sin. Give us courage to resist temptation, strength to stand firm, and hearts that remain faithful to You alone. Amen.”

Sardis
The Church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus said they were spiritually dead. Jesus called them to wake up, strengthen what remained, repent, and walk in purity so their names would never be erased from the book of life.  

Ask yourself:

1. Am I more concerned with looking spiritually alive on the outside than truly being alive in Christ on the inside?
2. What step of repentance do I need to take today to walk in purity and integrity with Jesus?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Lord Jesus, awaken us from spiritual slumber. Expose the places where our faith has grown cold, and breathe new life into our hearts. Help us to repent, to walk in purity, and to remain faithful so that our names may be secure in Your book of life. Amen.”

Laodicea
Laodicea was lukewarm—neither hot nor cold.  They were proud of their wealth, yet spiritually poor, blind, and naked. Jesus urged them to repent, seek true riches in Him, and open the door so He could come in and fellowship with them.  

Ask yourself:

1. Am I relying too much on my own comfort, resources, or success instead of depending fully on Jesus?
2. In what ways might my faith have grown lukewarm—lacking passion, zeal, or wholehearted obedience?

(Take some time for silent reflection and personal prayer before your continue.)

Pray:  “Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have been lukewarm or self-sufficient. Open our eyes to our true need for You. Give us zeal to repent and hearts eager to welcome You in, so we may share in Your fellowship and find true riches in Your presence. Amen.”

Closing Invitation
As we close this message and time of reflection today,  I remind you of Christ’s words from Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Jesus is here, knocking at the door of your heart.  Won’t you open the door to Christ?  Won’t you let Him truly be in charge of your life?  Repent of your sin and He will save you.  Let Him take control and He will welcome you into His Kingdom.

Sardis - Wake Up! | A Sermon on Revelation 3:1-6

Introduction
Are you awake this morning?

I'll be honest, my eyes were a little fuzzy and my voice is cracking this morning. I had a hard time waking up. Yesterday, we moved my daughter into her dorm room at the University of West Georgia. We started early, and by the time we were driving home, a deluge of rain brokethat lasted about an hour while we were driving.  It was stressful and draining.  We were driving 30 miles an hour from Rome to home. In fact, we were on the interstate doing 30 or 40 when we decided to get off early, thinking slower roads would be better.

But Cleveland Highway was flooded. We had to turn around, go all the way back, and still go home the long way. Strangely, when we finally arrived, our rain gauge said zero. Not a drop. Roads were dry. Just a few miles south--flooded! Amazing how storms can hit one spot so hard and leave another untouched.

Needless to say, I was tired. My back hurt. I took medicine for back pain, went to bed thinking I’d sleep well—and I did—but woke up groggy. So yes, I’m still trying to wake up. And I think the Lord has a sense of humor, because that’s exactly what today’s message is about.

Sardis was a real first-century church in what is now modern-day Turkey. Jesus dictated a letter to them, saying plainly, “Wake up.” He didn’t sugarcoat it.

Here’s what He said in Revelation 3:1–6:

Revelation 3:1-6
¹ “Write this letter to the angel^[a] of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit^[b] of God and the seven stars:

“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. ² Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. ³ Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.

⁴ “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

⁶ “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Sevenfold Spirit
By now, we know the One dictating letters to the seven Churches is Jesus. So with each new letter, we learn more about Jesus.  In this passage, Jesus says He is:  “…the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God.”  The NASB and other translations say, “seven spirits of God”.

This can be confusing at first glance, but it’s really very simple.  This “sevenfold Spirit of God” is the Holy Spirit.  There is only One Spirit, but saying “seven spirits” or “sevenfold Spirit” is just a mystical way of saying the Holy Spirit who has certain major characteristics.

Seven is the number for perfection.  So sevenfold Spirit is a mystical way of saying this is the perfect Spirit of God.

Some scholars also point to  Isaiah 11:2, where we see 7 characteristics of the Holy Spirit:  Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge, Fear of the Lord, and Delight in the Fear of the Lord.  

You'll notice that Fear is mentioned twice.  Let me pause on that phrase—“the fear of the Lord.”  Think of standing at the edge of something glorious and overwhelming—like Glacier National Park or the Grand Canyon or Cloudland Canyon here in Georgia. You feel awe at the magnificence of God's creation and a healthy fear of falling in all at the same time. That’s what it means to “fear the Lord”—it’s reverent awe. It's "Oooo!" and "Oh!" all at the same time.  The Spirit of God delights in that.

Reputation vs. Reality
Sardis had a good Reputation.  The were known as an active church, alive for God.

But Jesus saw through the facade. He had some harsh words for Sardis:  “You look alive, but are really dead. Almost completely dead.”

They were “really dead” because they:  “… soiled their clothes with evil.” 

Clothing is a symbol for a person’s character.  Most of the people in the Sardis church had defiled their character through sinful behavior, moral compromise, or unrepentant living.

They were going through the motions, but without true faith. They blended into the surrounding culture instead of standing out in holiness. They looked “good” by the world’s standards—but not by God’s.

And worst of all, they were unrepentant. Instead of turning away from sin, they covered it up and kept going—playing the part, but living falsely. Jesus warned them clearly: “Wake up. Repent before it’s too late.”

Closing
This message applies directly to us.

First, we need to have true faith in Jesus—not just for show, not just when people are looking. Real, authentic faith, lived out even when no one’s watching.

Second, we must not soil our garments. Avoid the sin you know you should avoid. Don’t compromise. If God says, “Go this way,” don’t go the other. Live by God’s standards, not the world’s.

Third, and maybe most importantly, when we mess up—and we all do—we must repent quickly.

·       What Is Repentance?
Repentance isn’t just feeling sorry. It’s not just regret. It’s turning around—changing direction. If you’re going the wrong way and God shows you the truth, don’t just feel bad about it. Turn around. Do what’s right.

And here’s the good news: when we truly repent, Jesus forgives. He doesn’t hold a grudge. No matter how long you’ve been living the wrong way—20, 30, 40 years—He’ll forgive it all. He sees the direction you’re going now.  And He will welcome you to go the right way if your repent.

But don’t fake it. Don’t say, “I repent,” and keep walking the same sinful path. That’s not repentance.  Jesus says, “Repent of your sins. Then come, follow me.”

Holy Communion
In Holy Communion, we remember what Christ did for us so we can repent. 
Jesus died on the cross to give us a chance to repent of sin and turn to God and be forgiven.
Just and bread and wine nourishes our body, the sacrament of Holy Communion nourishes our soul and strengthens us to repent and walk with Jesus as disciples.

If you need to repent, do it today.
And let this sacrament nourish and strengthen you to walk with the Lord from this day forward.