For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, “Seek Me that you may live.” – Amos 5:4
The Christians in Sardis had gotten so self-sufficient in their own minds that they didn’t feel they needed the Holy Spirit anymore. They were educated, affluent and at ease. They believed they could do everything on their own, which is a very dangerous place to be. The Holy Spirit does not do His work apart from your connection and cooperation to Him and with Him. A life devoid of the Spirit of God is a life open to defeat in every area. It’s just a matter of time.
A life devoid of the Spirit of God is a life open to defeat in every area.
1. Read Revelation 3:1-6 The church of Sardis had a great reputation, but what was lacking? Is it possible to have notoriety for being spiritual but simultaneously be spiritually dead in God’s economy? What can lead to this?
2. What is the primary role of the Holy Spirit? What happens if the Holy Spirit is not engaged in your life and the life of the church? 3. The members of the church of Sardis were told to “wake up.” What were they to do once they woke up?
4. The spiritual had become secondary to the secular for the people of the church at Sardis. Give some examples on how this might be happening today in the overall body of Christ?
3. When we find ourselves spiritually “asleep” what can we do to “wake up”?
The Bible instructs us to encourage one another. Yet in this message to the church at Sardis, we discover that too many compliments may lead to complacency. Discuss the tension between offering encouragement and going overboard? Is there such a thing as too much attention on any one person, activity or church?
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship.