\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload Audio\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\tText: Revelation 3:1-6<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. The certainty of life is that it will eventually be followed by death – Ecclesiastes 9:5<\/p>\n
A. And it is not just people who die, churches die as well.<\/p>\n
1. Unlike people, churches don’t have to die, but they do.<\/p>\n B. The church at Sardis appeared to be alive, but the Lord declared that it was dead.\nNot completely dead, but it was close enough that it might as well be dead –\nRevelation 3:1-2\n C. If you consider the history of the congregations around the country, you realize\nthat there are not that many “old” churches, even though the church has been in\nthis country for several hundred years.\n D. The letters to the churches in Asia serve as warnings as to what can cause\nchurches to fall away.\n
II. A Lack of Love – Revelation 2:1-7<\/p>\n
A. Ephesus was a faithful church. <\/p>\n
1. It took strong stands against false teachers<\/p>\n
2. It had weathered difficult times and showed the ability to persevere <\/p>\n
3. It was doing all the right things, but it lacked the proper motive<\/p>\n
B. Love is key to the commandments – Matthew 22:36-40<\/p>\n
1. Love is the defining element of being a Christian – John 13:34-35<\/p>\n 2. Without love for God there is no motivation to remain obedient – John\n14:15\n
3. Without love for our brethren we die – I John 3:14-18<\/p>\n
C. The problem in Ephesus is much the same problem addressed in II John 4-8<\/p>\n 1. John commends their faithfulness, but reminds the chosen lady that a part\nof faithfulness is love for the brethren\n
2. It is a command just like any other<\/p>\n 3. Without it, she would fall prey to the very deceivers she was standing\nagainst\n
D. Love is not an option<\/p>\n
1. Only by love of each other can we know God – I John 4:7-12, 20-21<\/p>\n
2. Only through love can we remain faithful – I John 5:1-3<\/p>\n
III. Pursuing Sensuality – Revelation 2:12-29<\/p>\n
A. Both Pergamum and Thyatira had members following the course of this world<\/p>\n 1. Teachers had arose encouraging the acceptance of idols and sexual\nimmorality\n B. Becoming soft on sin, accepting things that make you feel good, is a common way\nfor false teachers to peddle their doctrine – II Peter 2:1-3, 12-19\n
C. Desire for the world is key to the entrance of sin – I John 2:15-17<\/p>\n
D. But being a Christian is marked by holiness – I Peter 1:13-16<\/p>\n
1. We are to be set apart – I Thessalonians 4:1-8<\/p>\n
2. We are to be separate – II Corinthians 6:17-7:1<\/p>\n
IV. Avoiding Making Waves – Revelation 3:14-22<\/p>\n
A. Laodicea strove for the middle ground.<\/p>\n
1. She was neither hot nor cold in what she did<\/p>\n
2. She saw no need for improvement <\/p>\n
3. Such contributed to the death of Israel – I Kings 18:21<\/p>\n
4. Christianity is not about having it both ways – Matthew 6:24<\/p>\n
B. There is an appeal to avoiding problems<\/p>\n
1. It makes it look like something good is being done<\/p>\n
2. But the truth is that nothing is being done – Psalms 123:4<\/p>\n 3. They become prideful, and cannot see destruction on the door step – Isaiah\n47:8-9\n a. A church that avoids problems means they are inexperienced in\nhandling problems\n b. When those problems arise, as they surely must, they are\noverwhelmed \n
C. The lack of zeal means there will be no true growth<\/p>\n
1. We are to be fervent in spirit – Romans 12:11 <\/p>\n
2. Some groups strive for a more neutral ground<\/p>\n
a. If we don’t make waves, more people will stay<\/p>\n b. If we don’t take a strong stand, people won’t become offended and\nleave\n
3. But then we are not fully with Christ – Matthew 12:30<\/p>\n
D. Christ found the middle ground disgusting<\/p>\n
1. On fire is what he wants<\/p>\n 2. But even cold is preferable – at least it is a more honest assessment of their\ntrue status – II Peter 2:21\n
3. The middle ground is a lie<\/p>\n
V. Will this church survive?<\/p>\n
A. It has been in existence since 1972, but that doesn’t mean it will continue<\/p>\n
B. Without love, purity, and zeal it will die like others before it<\/p>\n
C. And a few can’t prop up a dying church<\/p>\n
1. Sardis had some who were faithful – Revelation 3:4<\/p>\n
2. But they would could not stem the tide<\/p>\n 3. A preacher, elders, or a few faithful members can’t keep a church alive –\nnot on their own.\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Revelation 3:1-6 I. The certainty of life is that it will eventually be followed by death – Ecclesiastes 9:5 A. And it is not just people who die, churches die as well. 1. Unlike people, churches don’t have to die, but they do. B. The church at Sardis appeared to be…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[448,65,609,635],"class_list":["post-63658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-church","tag-love","tag-worldliness","tag-zeal"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":69101,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-churches-die\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":0},"title":"Why Churches Die","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 29, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Mike Riley The following are this writer's observations over forty years as to why churches die. I'm certain that we can all relate to at least one of the categories listed below: Churches Die at the Tables of Compromise When the church fights worldly influences such as sin and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":30327,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/origins-of-denominations\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":1},"title":"Origins of Denominations","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 12, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Over the years, I've done lessons on various issues that caused the rise of the denominations we see today. Rather than leaving them scattered, I'm gathering them on a single page so they're easier to find. Where Did They All Come From? (Overview) Corruption in Church\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":43754,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/i-am-glad-to-find-a-church-that-is-not-into-entertaining-people-to-get-them-in-the-door\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":2},"title":"I am glad to find a church that is not into entertaining people to get them in the door!","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Just found your site. Well done. I am glad to find a church that is not into entertaining people to get them in the door! To bad you are not close enough to attend. How about some audio and video of your teachings and sermons? Answer: Look under Audio\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18923,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/christians-without-churches\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":3},"title":"Christians Without Churches?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 23, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"by Ethan R. Longhenry Over the past few years, a trend has increased among people, especially Americans: the idea that people can be good Christians without being part of a church. Many people will recognize that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord, but yet want nothing to do with any\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/East-Orange-300x169.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":47334,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/who-is-responsible\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":4},"title":"Who Is Responsible?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Galatians 6:1-10 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0One of the issues that has divided brethren is that of doing good. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The question is who is responsible? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0One side argues that it doesn\u2019t matter, so long as the good is done. The other side argues that you cannot\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":30360,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-split-of-the-catholic-churches\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":5},"title":"The Split of the Catholic Churches","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 23, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Matthew 23:1-12 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Very shortly after the first century, one elder in the church became the chief elder and took on the title of bishop to distinguish himself from the other elders. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Even though elder and bishop refers to the same duty - Titus\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63658"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63658\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}