Revelation 3:1-6 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things said he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars… I. THE REBUKE GIVEN IN THE TEXT TO THE CHURCH OF SARDIS. Beware lest the too partial judgment of men mislead thee as to the judgment of God. Bring thyself to a Scriptural test. Judge as thou wilt be judged at the great day of account. II. THE COMMENDATION BESTOWED, IN THIS ADDRESS, ON A FEW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF SARDIS. 1. There are no circumstances so bad as to render goodness impossible. 2. Even the smallest company of true worshippers is not forgotten before God. III. THE COUNSEL GIVEN TO THE CHURCH OF SARDIS IN THIS ADDRESS. There are means of revival which may in every case be employed with success. The page of history presents to us some splendid examples, in which a body of troops, checked and dispirited for a time, have suddenly beheld the banner, or caught the voice of their leader; and at once, throwing away their doubts and fears, have returned to the fight, scaled the rampart, and crowned themselves with fresh triumphs and glory. IV. THE THREAT CONNECTED WITH THESE COUNSELS TO THE CHURCH OF SARDIS. All the movements of God, especially in the works of creation, are so precisely in order — the sun and the moon knowing their place, and each season following in the train of the other — that it is difficult to persuade ourselves God will in any case interrupt this regular succession of events, and astonish the sinner by any sudden or unexpected explosion of His wrath. But how often do His visitations thus unexpectedly arrest the ungodly! V. THE PROMISES WITH WHICH THE TEXT CLOSES. (J. W. Cunningham.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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