This study was first taught on October 6, 2019

Topic: The Assessment of the Churches (19): The Church in Sardis (As a Thief in the Night)

(use the audio to study)

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Background
Last week, we saw that even though the church in Sardis was generally considered a dead church, yet there were those who were not yet dead, and there were even a few who were still spiritually alive and active! Thus, we noted that in Sardis, there was still hope; and by extension, in the church today, there is still hope, in spite of the numerous dead local assemblies all over the world!

We saw that the reason for this living hope are:
1. The Lord’s comments about the church in Sardis was His assessment, leaving room for them to make amends; unlike if it had been His final judgment.
2. Since there were a few living or active believers in the church, they could influence the revival of the dying in their midst.
3. For as long as the dying were not yet dead, they can be revived.
4. Even the dead can be quickened or resurrected by the power of God, if they would repent and return to Him.

For the church of God today, therefore, there is still hope:
 The Lord is giving us a way to repent and return to Him. The door is not yet shut to the backslider, and indeed, even the dead local assemblies all around the world.
 Those living and active believers and churches give the church hope that God has not abandoned the church.
 Through the living and active believers on the earth, the dying can be revived as they continue to intercede for them, and even the dead can be quickened by the power of God.
Therefore, let us continue to pray for revival and restoration. Even if you are the only one, God can use you to bring revival and restoration to the local assembly where you are, and indeed, other believers who may have backslidden.

Scripture Text(s)
Revelation 3:1-3
In giving His assessment of the Church in Sardis, the Lord gave the church opportunity to repent and return to God, failing which there would be consequences. Our discussion today will focus on the consequence of not heeding the Lord's life-line extended to the church today. We pray that the Holy Spirit will give us insight into the dire straits the church is in, and help us make our way back to God, and in so doing, avoid the unpleasant consequence of not doing the right thing at the right time.
The consequence of not heeding the Lord's counsel of repentance is that He would come upon them "<em>as a thief in the night</em>"! Please note that the Lord is not a thief (<strong>John 10:10</strong>); that is who Satan is. The Lord said that He would come the way thieves operate at night—with stealth, silently, suddenly, when people are sleeping, at ease, and unable to react to thwart their activity. Night-time is a time of day when all activity cease, and people are resting, and vulnerable to sudden attack (<strong>John 9:4; Matthew 13:24-30</strong>). This is therefore a serious warning about the Coming of the Lord in a specific sense, as well as in a general sense!
Isaiah 48:3; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 24:35-51; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 2 Peter 1:14; Luke 9:30-31; 21:34; 12:35-48; Nehemiah 4:15-21; Mark 13:37; Luke 12:16-21; Matthew 25:1-13; Hebrews 10:32-39; Luke 18:1-8; 2 Peter 3:3-18; Revelation 3:7.

Conclusion
Knowing all that we now know about the Coming of the Lord, both from an individual perspective and from a global perspective, what manner of people ought we, Christians, to be?
 Always be alert.
 Act like Nehemiah's men: building with one hands, and weapons in the other hand.
 Take your Sabbath rest; but don’t take a break from the Lord of the Sabbath.
 Focus on doing the Will of God at all times.
 Watch and pray daily: bible study/meditation, intercession, self-less praying by the Holy Spirit.

It is worth mentioning that Christianity is a personal walk, even though we are in a community of believers. Father will not answer for son, and vice versa! So, work out your salvation with fear and trembling!

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