Church of Sardis
Rev 3:1-2 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Jesus who has the full anointing of the seven Spirits of God told the church to be alert and to strengthen the remaining faith in Him and His gospel, words and Promises.
John 3:34 "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure."
Seven Spirits of God
Isa 11:1-2 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
The Seven Spirits of God (Holy Spirit) given to Jesus are:-
1. The Spirit of the Lord (redemption or empowerment)
2. The Spirit of wisdom
3. The Spirit of understanding
4. The Spirit of counsel
5. The Spirit of might
6. The Spirit of knowledge of the Lord
7. The Spirit of the fear of the Lord
Ministerial Gifts of Jesus
Eph 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers
Our Lord Jesus gives the seven Spirits of God in measure to His servants in accordance to their ministries.
1. New convert - Holy Spirit of redemption
2. Wise Christian - Spirit of wisdom
3. Teacher - Spirit of understanding
4. Pastor - Spirit of counsel.
5. Evangelist - Spirit of might
6. Prophet - Spirit of the knowledge of the Lord
7. Apostle - Spirit of the fear of the Lord
Mat 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:"
Sardis a Dead Church
The church is lively and has vibrant ministries but it was declared dead by our Lord. It was led by the wisdom of men that their good works are deemed dead because they are done out of lawlessness and hypocrisy.
Rev 3:3-4 "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy."
The Lord gave them the warning to repent of their imperfect work and to hold fast to His teachings or they will be killed and condemned to damnation.
Rev 3:5-6 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
The overcomers of this church will be given white garments at Rapture and their names will be found in the book of life which records the names of those who gained eternal life.
Our Lord made it clear that those who do not repent of their sins will have their names blotted out from the book of life. Once saved is not always saved.