by Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: 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
C. Without love for our brethren we die – I John 3:14-18<\/p>\n
D. The problem in Ephesus is much the same problem addressed in II John 4-8<\/p>\n 1. John commends their faithfulness, but reminds her that a part of that\nfaithfulness is to love 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
E. 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 Pergamun 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 – Psalm 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 for 34 years, 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 it 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 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 alive, but…<\/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_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[448,65,609,635],"class_list":["post-63658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon","tag-church","tag-love","tag-worldliness","tag-zeal"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","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":61054,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-do-churches-of-christ-differ-so-widely\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":1},"title":"Why Do “Churches of Christ” Differ so Widely?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 29, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"by Sewell Hall via\u00a0Biblical Insights, February 2012 A sign reading \"Church of Christ\" in front of a building tells you very little these days. Most any doctrine or practice may be found inside. This is frustrating to many people. 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They will then use\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":9684,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/if-there-are-no-sound-churches-in-my-area-should-i-worship-with-a-liberal-one\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":3},"title":"If there are no sound churches in my area, should I worship with a liberal one?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 7, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I am disabled and would like to attend an anti-church but there are none nearby and I was wondering if it would be okay to take communion at a liberal church instead of missing communion with the Lord? Answer: All Christians are required to partake of the communion and\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":21805,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-i-stay-with-a-church-that-isnt-great-but-appears-to-be-growing\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":4},"title":"Should I stay with a church that isn’t great but appears to be growing?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 28, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Is it OK to stay with a church if you see God changing it and you yourself are helping that change? I was just wondering. There are a lot of downfalls at my church, but things have been looking better, not always just there. It is starting to get\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":92017,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-are-you-a-member-of-the-church-of-christ\/","url_meta":{"origin":63658,"position":5},"title":"Why Are You a Member of the Church of Christ?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Vance E. 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