Revelation 3:1 says
“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.”
The church at Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus declared that it was dead. This warning challenges every believer to examine their spiritual condition.
Let’s look at why Sardis was a dead church.
- They Were a Dead Church Because They Had Dead Works
Revelation 3:2 says,
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”
The works of the Sardis church were incomplete and lifeless. Though they might have been active outwardly, their deeds lacked spiritual value.
These were dead works—works done without faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him.” A church can be full of activities and programs but still be spiritually dead if the works are done for appearance or tradition rather than out of genuine love for Christ.
Jesus calls us to live and work by faith, saying in John 15:5, “For without me ye can do nothing.” Sardis failed to depend on Christ, and as a result, their works were unacceptable before God.
2. They Were a Dead Church Because They Had a Dead Memory
Revelation 3:3 says,
“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.”
The church had forgotten the truths they once received. They had drifted from the gospel and the teachings that first brought them life. Psalm 103:2 reminds us, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Forgetting the Word of God leads to spiritual decay.
Sardis needed to repent and return to what they had heard before. 2 Timothy 1:13 says, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” A church that forgets its foundation in the gospel will quickly lose its vitality and drift into deadness.
3. They Were a Dead Church Because They Were Spiritually Dead
Revelation 3:4-5 says,
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which 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 out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
Many in the church of Sardis were unsaved. While there were a few faithful believers, the majority were spiritually dead. Ephesians 2:1 says, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Without salvation, a person is spiritually dead.
The faithful few in Sardis are a reminder that even in the darkest times, God preserves a remnant of true believers. However, the warning is clear: a church filled with unsaved members is a dead church. Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Jesus urged the Sardis church to repent before it was too late. He offered a promise to the overcomers—those who truly believed in Him—that they would walk with Him in white robes of righteousness.
The church in Sardis looked alive on the outside but was dead on the inside. They had dead works, a dead memory, and many were spiritually dead. This passage challenges us to examine our lives to ensure we are alive in Christ. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
