Join us as we take a journey to the ancient city of Sardis and unpack its spiritual implications for modern Christianity. Despite its reputation, Sardis was a city resting on its past glories, much like the spiritual lives of some believers today. This episode is a stark reminder of the need to remain vigilant and watchful in our spiritual journey, holding fast to what we’ve received and heard. Learn how Sardis’ story calls us to repent and renew our focus on God’s teachings, urging us to avoid spiritual apathy and revive our commitment.
For those of you who have been Christians for a while, is there ever a time in your life where you just have the spiritual blaws, like nothing’s happening? It’s just like nothing seems to work. You’ve tried everything. Somehow because of circumstances and problems and struggles that are in our life, all of a sudden we don’t have the joy we once had. Maybe we don’t have peace. Maybe God’s love no longer controls our relationships with others. We’re not walking in the Spirit. We’re not living in the power of the Lord. We know the Lord, but I have a feeling that a lot of us know exactly what we’re talking about here. Spiritual apathy. Spiritual apathy.
SPEAKER 02 :
What would you do if Jesus walked into your church and said, you look alive? But you’re dead. This is Hope for Today with Bible teacher David Hawking. And today on the broadcast we open up Revelation chapter 3 where the Son of God speaks to a church that lost its fire, lost its focus, and doesn’t even know it. This isn’t about obvious sin. It’s about slow decay, spiritual sleep, and the kind of apathy that kills from the inside out. We’re in Revelation 3, verses 1-6, and David’s message, Spiritual Apathy, begins in just a moment. Chris, like David just mentioned, your walk with God, well, maybe it’s hit the doldrums. And if that’s the case, we want to point you to a powerful resource called Revival Now. This is written by our friend Richard A. Bennett, and it’s a free download available right now on the homepage at davidhawking.org. Listen, this is direct, it’s challenging, and if you’re ready to get serious about renewing your walk with God, or if you know someone in your circle that needs to get serious in their walk with God, Revival Now is a great place to start. Again, you can download Revival Now free, no signups, just click, and you got it at davidhawking.org, right on the homepage. And here’s David with today’s study.
SPEAKER 03 :
spiritual apathy, beginning at verse 1, chapter 3. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die, for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names, even in Sardis, that have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He that hath an ear… Let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, not just the one church, but to all churches. Let’s pray. Father, we pray in these moments together as we study the Word of God that you will, by your Holy Spirit, open it up to our minds and our hearts. And some who perhaps do not have a personal relationship with you find Christian things difficult. And God, I pray for them that you will help them to see that that Jesus Christ is all that he claimed to be. He’s our coming King of kings and Lord of lords, and God, I pray that you’ll draw them unto the Savior by your Holy Spirit, that they’ll see their need of trusting and believing in the only one who can save us from sin, death, and hell. We thank you for his love and his forgiveness and his grace. And Lord, our hearts go out to many believers who struggle struggle in such a way to become apathetic and indifferent. It’s so easy to be complacent about spiritual things. We get so used to things. Lord, I pray that you’d help us to see the importance of this passage as it relates to our own individual Christian life, that we might live for you, that we might understand, Lord, what it is to walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit with joy and your peace, your love controlling and dominating our lives. May there be sincere worship and love toward you. Thank you, Lord, for what you’re going to do in all of us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Sardis is just a beautiful, beautiful spot in the mountains of western Turkey. It’s about 50 miles east of Smyrna, the modern day of Izmir, which sits right on the coast. And it’s about 30 miles south of Thyatira, where we had just studied in our last time together. I guess most of you who have read some literature in the past in school, even elementary school, might have some acquaintance with this city without knowing it. Because this is the city where great and wealthy King Croesus, everything he touched turned to gold, he was from Sardis. Sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. It was a city built on an acropolis, acropolis, two words, acro high, polis city, high city, built on a plateau that was 1,500 feet above the ground below it. So it was easily defendable. It was the center of opposition, literally, to invading European forces. Sardis was the great enemy of all the Ionian cities and, in fact, had conquered them under the power of its Lydian kingdom. It was known by the Romans as the first metropolis of Asia, Lydia, and Hellenism. It was powerful, it was wealthy, it was strong. Cyrus of Persia is the one who first conquered it, and it’s quite a story. King Croesus heard that Cyrus was conquering everything. You remember, this is the same Cyrus that’s in the Bible today. who encouraged the Jews to go back to their land and rebuild it and rebuild the temple. Cyrus, whom God says is my servant. This great king mobilized tremendous forces and began to conquer the Middle East. Croesus hears about it. Lydia is still powerful. They’re very wealthy. They’re strong. Croesus decides to attack and take them on. So he mobilizes his troops and crosses the mountains of Turkey and meets them and unfortunately lost the battle. Croesus returns and he is defeated, humiliated, embarrassed, and disgraced. So he tries to entrench himself in the fortress of Sardis thinking that, well, I’m safe here. But much to his surprise, Cyrus decided that the battle that he won was not enough. He wanted to conquer the great city of Sardis. So unbeknownst to Croesus, Cyrus took a portion of his army, cut through the mountains of Turkey, and actually came up on the city at night, scaled the walls of the 1,500-foot plateau, and literally came into the city, took them by surprise, and it was known to be as a thief in the night. Does that ring a bell? Why did God choose these seven cities when there were a lot more churches and a lot more cities in western Turkey? Because these seven have something about them that connects with the messages that God has given. And that’s one of them. He came as a thief in the night. 300 years later, Antiochus the Great captured the city in the exact same way. Took it by surprise as a thief in the night. Later, the Romans did it the exact same way. This fortress that nobody thought would be conquered was conquered. on three occasions in a spectacular and shocking way. They were a great surprise. In 17 AD, there was a tremendous earthquake. In fact, in almost every ancient historical writing or document from that period of time, they record this earthquake. One of the most disastrous earthquakes of all time hit in Turkey in 17 AD. And Sardis, along with many of these cities, was devastated. damaged tremendously. As a matter of fact, the historians tell us it was devastated so bad that unless Rome would help rebuild it, it was gone forever. Well, through the kindness of Tiberius, it was rebuilt, but it cost the people of Sardis so much money they remained in debt and kind of a vassal slave-like atmosphere for a long time to come. A special coin was minted in honor of Tiberius, and a temple was erected there to him as well. Now when John wrote this letter, the city is still living in the past, so it makes an excellent illustration to us of churches and Christians who do the same. It is easy to rest on the laurels of the past. It is easy to make our Christian experience what we once knew. and not to be growing in the Lord. The city was living in the past. As a matter of fact, the Acropolis was no longer inhabited. It was destroyed so badly. And they were now living at the base of the mountain, the remaining people in Sardis. There weren’t as many people there either when John wrote. And that’s probably the whole emphasis here. There’s just a few remaining. But that also becomes a spiritual type to the church because there was only a few remaining who really loved the Lord. This church is going downhill. Now, the economy of Sardis included a number of things, but probably best known, like Thyatira, for special dyes that they used for wool and linen pieces of garment. They also excelled in jewelry in this particular place. Its religious influence included both emperor worship, lots of pagan temples, and they had a special temple to the Greek goddess Cybele, which is connected with nature. a lot of fertility rites. And one of the interesting things that we’ve discovered in this century in our archaeological work in Sardis, we discovered that they also worshipped the Ephesian goddess Artemis or Diana, the multi-breasted goddess. Sardis also claimed a very interesting thing among all these cities. They claimed that their gods had healing power, which included, are you ready for this, restoring the dead. They actually believed. How interesting that God would pick out this city and say, you have a name that you’re living, but you are dead. The same city who claimed to have the ability and the power to raise the dead literally spiritually needed to be raised from the dead. There were a lot of hot springs nearby and still are today, and those were used in some of their healing rituals. If you’d like to outline, I’m going to share with you just four areas out of this church, and I hope it’ll be an encouragement to you. Number one, take a look at the concern of Jesus Christ for this church. I don’t know about you, but when you have the spiritual blaws, isn’t it good to know that Jesus still cares for you? He said, I’ll never leave you nor forsake you. Lo, I’ll be with you always, even to the end of the age. A lot of us need to hear that message. The Lord Jesus is still here. He hasn’t left. His concern for this church, I want you to see just three things out of verse 1. First of all, it tells us that the message came from the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, which represent the seven angels to whom these messages came. The whole point of this statement is that the message comes from the Lord. Never make a mistake about this. The message that we are reading is coming from the Lord Jesus Christ. If he were here, he would deliver it to us again. his message. Look back at chapter 1, verse 16. This little statement about holding the stars in his right hand, that was a description of the resurrected Christ in his right hand. Chapter 16, the hand of authority and power and control and sovereignty are the seven stars. All of the messages to these seven churches were delivered through the agency of the seven stars, and they are all in his right hand. The Lord is telling them what to do. The Lord is telling them to deliver these messages. The message comes from the Lord Jesus. In chapter 2, verse 1, to the angel of the church at Ephesus, it says, he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand. Look at chapter 4, verse 5. The scene is heaven. the throne of God. And in verse 5, it says, out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderclaps and voices, and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Ready to do his bidding. Look, please, at chapter 8, verse 2. When the book of Revelation gets ready to tell us about the trumpet judgments, there was silence in heaven for about a half an hour. And then verse 2 says, “…and I saw the seven angels who stood before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.” If you compare all of this, you find out the seven spirits, the seven angels, are the ones standing before God, ready to do His bidding. This message comes from the Lord, and we better listen up. Back to chapter 3. Not only does the message come from him, but a second thing that I see is that the truth about every church and every Christian is known by the Lord. Interesting that it isn’t an encouraging statement here when he says, I know thy works, like it might have been back in the church at Ephesus. Because as you see at the end of verse 2, he said, I have not found thy works perfect before God. There’s something wrong. Jesus said, I know your works. I know what you’re doing. But there’s something wrong. Your works are not perfect before God. Did he mean motive? Did he mean that you were doing it for yourself and not for him? That’s a possibility. Did he mean that it was all building your kingdom rather than his? That’s a possibility too. We don’t know. All we know is they weren’t perfect. They weren’t what they should be. I know your works. Understand something. The real truth about our service for the Lord is known by the Lord and not by other people. Yes, there’s a gift of discernment, but you’re discerning what is said and what is done. You do not know motives and intents. And the Bible’s very clear about that. It’s only the word of God that can pierce to whatever that point is in your life that will criticize the thoughts and intents of your heart. God knows what they are. Jeremiah 17 says, the Lord knows the reins of the heart, but we don’t know ourselves and you don’t know anybody else. That’s why the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 4, 5, judge nothing before the time when the Lord comes who will bring to light all the hidden counsels of the heart. Sometimes I think I don’t have a right motive. I think, man, I’m just doing this because I’m doing it. And all of a sudden I’ve noticed that God will use it for his glory. It’s almost like saying, I’m going to bless in spite of you, not because of you. Amen? We need to get that in our hearts. But you know, motive is a very difficult subject. I know thy works. He knows why we’re doing what we’re doing. He knows the nature of it. He knows what kind of effort it is. And in this case, something’s wrong. Is there something wrong in your life as well? Are you struggling? The truth about each of us is known by him. The third thing that I would point out is that the reputation of a church or of a Christian is no guarantee of true character or true spirituality. Thou hast a name, verse 1, that thou livest. Everybody knows about Sardis all over the empire. Oh yes, the great Lydian kingdom. Oh yes, I remember great king Croesus. Hey, wait a minute, that was hundreds of years ago. And they’re still bragging about the past. They’ve got a name that they are really alive. Things are happening in Sardis, you know. No, the truth is that they are in debt, deep debt, to the Roman government because of the devastating earthquake. The truth of the matter is that things are so bad nobody even lives on top of the Acropolis where the great city was. The truth of the matter is people have scattered from that place. There aren’t as many folks living there as once lived there. No, they are not what they once were. True character and spirituality is in the heart. That’s so important. The Lord taught us in John 4 that God is spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. And I don’t believe he’s referring to the Holy Spirit there, or he would have put the definite article in the text, and it’s not there. He’s talking about your spirit. He’s talking about the difference between the inward man and the outward man. It’s very interesting, isn’t it, how we focus often on the outward, whereas the Lord focuses on the inward. The Bible says man looks on the outward appearance, But the Lord looks on the heart, 1 Samuel 16, 7. And I think the thing that really hit me about the message to Sardis is that in our Lord’s concern for the church, he’s not interested in reputation. He’s interested in truth. David said, That’s so important.
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. David’s back in just a moment or so to close out today’s program, so do stay right there. First though, Matt’s here, and together we’re going to present, well, this is a terrific resource that you might just want to add to your home Bible study library.
SPEAKER 01 :
Whatever Happened to Morality? This engaging question is the title of our featured resource by my dad for July.
SPEAKER 02 :
And we want to send you a copy when you join us in ministry with a donation of $20 or more.
SPEAKER 01 :
You know, Jim, our culture today is struggling desperately because it’s working. feverishly against biblical principles and moral values. This war against God’s will and loving boundaries is like little we’ve seen before.
SPEAKER 02 :
Unbridled pleasure, worship of material gain, dehumanizing the unborn. Embracing contradictions as truth, like all paths lead to God, for example. We see that a lot, don’t we? Our culture is in a state of rapid decline and descent into chaos.
SPEAKER 01 :
It reminds me of the assessment of Romans 1, 22 to 23. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. So what did happen?
SPEAKER 02 :
to morality. How did we end up in this sorry condition and what does scripture declare about it? And Matt, is there any hope?
SPEAKER 01 :
Yeah. How can believers be a shining light of testimony? What do we say, Jim, to this and the next generation? Those questions are so important. so important.
SPEAKER 02 :
You’re going to find the trustworthy answers from God’s Word inside Whatever Happened to Morality. Whatever Happened to Morality, the future survival of America and every nation is our gift to you when you contribute $20 or more this month. Prayerfully consider our donation. Give generously as God leads and provides. And you will find reassuring insight and encouragement inside the 278 pages of Whatever Happened to Morality. And your donation makes you a partner with us in ministry. I also want to mention David’s study notes for our current series here on radio in the book of Revelation. All 48 messages together in a pack, and you can order them by calling us or making the purchase and downloading them at davidhawking.org. Again, just $10. And if you’d like to get the study notes in print form, call us at 800-75-BIBLE. 800-75-24253. Now in Canada, it’s 888-75-BIBLE. 888-75-242-53. And by the way, if it’s been a while since you’ve been in touch with us, a while since you sent a note, we would love to hear from you. When you write to us by letter or maybe send a message to us on our website, you can tell us how God is using this ministry in your life. Tell us where you listen, how you found us, and what the Lord is teaching you as you study the word with us. Your letters, well, they encourage the whole team here. They sure do. And they remind us that the truth is bearing fruit, strengthening believers, and reaching hearts with the gospel. Also, would you prayerfully consider including a financial gift? Every donation, big or small, helps us stay on the air and keep bringing God’s Word to those who need it the most online as well. You can give securely online at davidhawking.org, davidhawking.org, or call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. And if you prefer to send a gift or a letter by mail, write to Hope For Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO, Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 8P1. And thank you for getting in touch and standing with us, as God might direct. And here’s David.
SPEAKER 04 :
The study of the book of Revelation. And we’re at the church of Sardis, a church that was spiritually dead. Wow. In verse 3, he says, Remember how thou hast received and heard. Hold fast, and here comes the word we’re hearing, repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief. Thou shalt know what hour I will come upon thee. You know, we need to understand in our churches of today that we’re not going to get away with spiritual apathy and spiritual compromise. And it’s interesting, the church at Sardis, spiritually dead, but God still gives them hope. And to individuals, he says, he who overcomes will be clothed in white raiment. So they’re going to be not only saved, clothed properly, but he will confess their name before his Father in heaven and before the angels. So this is a very, very important message. The church at Sardis was actually spiritually dead, like a lot of churches in North America today. You wonder what happened. Well, they stopped teaching the Bible, and the pastors stopped studying God’s Word. That’s what happened. And they are into all kinds of stuff except God’s Word. Well, plan to be with us. These studies are very important.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, thank you, David. And if you missed anything today or want to listen again, head over to DavidHawking.org. Right there on the homepage, click on Radio, and you’ll find the most recent broadcast available to stream, along with information on all the resources mentioned on today’s program. Well, next time we continue in Revelation 3, verses 1-6, as Jesus unleashes a devastating indictment on a church that looked alive on the outside, but was spiritually dead within. This isn’t fluff. It’s a warning and a call to wake up. Don’t miss it, and invite a friend to listen along with you as we bring you the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible, right here on Hope for Today.
Join us as we take a journey to the ancient city of Sardis and unpack its spiritual implications for modern Christianity. Despite its reputation, Sardis was a city resting on its past glories, much like the spiritual lives of some believers today. This episode is a stark reminder of the need to remain vigilant and watchful in our spiritual journey, holding fast to what we’ve received and heard. Learn how Sardis’ story calls us to repent and renew our focus on God’s teachings, urging us to avoid spiritual apathy and revive our commitment.
