Scripture reading: Revelation 3:1-6.

Sermon text: Revelation 3:7-20.

We hear the terms “hot” and “cold” a lot in American culture. If a team is playing well, we say the team is “hot.” If a team or athlete is playing poorly, we often say they’re “cold.” We apply the same terms to people in life. If someone’s doing extremely well at their career, they’re said to be “hot”. If someone is extremely motivated to do something, we say he’s “hot on the trail.”

These terms aren’t specific to Americans. Centuries ago, Jesus used these terms to refer to 2 of the 7 churches He addressed in the book of Revelation. Chapter 3 completes the letters to these churches with admonitions, warnings, and encouragement to 3 churches: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. While these were literal churches in the first century A.D., we see their qualities — both good and bad — in congregations and believers today. Where do you see yourself?

Jesus addressed the church at Sardis first. Sardis was an ancient city founded some time before the 8th century B.C. It once served as the capital of the Lydian empire before its capture by the Persians in the 6th century B.C. Cyrus the Great conquered the city, but he found its king so wise that he spared his life and consulted him as an advisor for many years. In Roman times, the city was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 17 and rebuilt.

Church tradition states that one of St. Paul’s disciples, Clement (mentioned in the letter to the Philippians), founded the first church in Sardis and served as its first bishop. By the time of St. John’s visit by Christ, Sardis served as an important city in Asia.

Unfortunately, Sardis had a serious problem. Its reputation stated that it was “alive;” it seemed a vibrant place to worship. However, Jesus said the church was “dead.” This poses a question: How did no one notice that the church had died? Each Sunday, people gathered there for worship. Each week, people attended the events of the church, whatever they may have scheduled.

Jesus said this wasn’t enough. The church needed to “wake up.” We see this term in Matthew 24, where Jesus told the disciples to “stay awake” and await His second coming. This church had lost its sense of urgency in ministering to the community where it existed. Jesus wanted the church to awaken and “strengthen” what was left.

Jesus also implied that some in the church had “soiled their garments.” The word for “soil” implies ritual impurity. Apparently, some of Sardis’ members were living worldly lives rather than remaining pure in their living. In other words, their religion applied only to their lives on Sunday. No one could see any difference in their lives throughout the week.

In spite of all this, some in Sardis remained fervent believers, living righteously before their families and neighbors. These people were promised “white garments;” their purity would be on display for all to see. Jesus would not “blot out” their names from the “book of life;” instead, He would “confess” their names before Almighty God and the angels. These people would find themselves proclaimed as righteous before all heaven.

Do you see yourself in Sardis? Have you allowed the flame of your faith to burn so low it seems it’s out completely? Do people in your life still see that your faith matters to you?

What about our church? Do we see ourselves in Sardis? I hope not. However, almost every congregation experiences the “Sardis Syndrome” at times in its history. I find hope in the fact that Jesus didn’t write off this church; instead, He gave them the opportunity to repent. Jesus honors our repentance when we turn to Him for forgiveness.

Next, we read about the church of Philadelphia. Like Sardis, Philadelphia had a storied history. The city was built by a ruler of the kingdom of Pergamon in honor of his brother. Unlike many royal families in history, these brothers remained loyal and faithful to one another throughout their lives. Their example continued in the church of this city.

Of all the churches in the Revelation, Philadelphia alone receives no reprimand. Jesus told the Philadelphia church He had given them an “open door.” This church received what every congregation wants: Opportunities to serve its community. When Jesus presents a church with an open door, He says that no one can “close” it. This church received a great blessing.

Note this church didn’t receive this open door because of their strength; they had none. This church didn’t receive this blessing because of their power; they were weak.  However, this church had kept Jesus’ word — they continued to follow His teachings — and did not “deny” His name. In the face of secular opposition by the Romans and pressure to declare “Caesar is lord,” the Philadelphian church boldly proclaimed, in word and deed, that Jesus was Lord of their lives. In response, Jesus would teach their enemies of His love for His church. Jesus also promised to preserve them from the “hour of trial” that would engulf “the whole world.” When the ultimate persecution hit the earth, the Philadelphian church would experience Jesus’ gracious deliverance, just as the Hebrews had experienced in the Exodus.

Do you see yourself in Philadelphia? Do you see yourself holding fast in the face of temptation? Do you see yourself remaining firm in your witness before the world? For those who remain in this state, Jesus promised an eternity in His presence in the New Jerusalem. If you don’t see yourself in Philadelphia, know that those who repent of their sins and retain their faith will experience deliverance from the trial to come. This isn’t a promise of an easy life. Instead, it’s a promise that Jesus will protect His saints and provide for them regardless of what trials may come.

Nor, we should note, is this a promise that we will never experience persecution. The Philadelphian church experienced persecution throughout its history until the legalization of Christianity in the Edict of Milan by the emperor Constantine in A.D. 313. For the Christian, every moment with Jesus seems like a little bit of heaven on earth. We can endure anything the world throws at us because we know that God Himself dwells with us in the Person of the Holy Spirit, guiding us and protecting us from Satan’s worst.

Lastly, we come to the Laodicean church. St. Paul mentioned this church in his letter to the Colossians. Laodicea and Colossae were only 11 miles apart. Paul told the Colossians to read the letter he had written to the Laodicean church and to send them the letter he had written to them. We don’t have a record of Paul’s letter to the Laodiceans.

We do know that the Laodicean church seemed to have it all: wealth, prestige, and power. When an earthquake destroyed Laodicea in A.D. 60, the city refused imperial help to rebuild; instead, the citizens rebuilt their city with no outside aid.

This wealth should have blessed this congregation; this wealth should have opened new opportunities of service and blessing to its members. However, this church sadly let its wealth replace reliance on God as its strength.

Jesus said this church was “neither cold nor hot.” No one could tell the congregation was a church; its pride in wealth overshadowed its faith. The Laodiceans forgot that wealth could not buy salvation, nor could it purchase the approval of Christ. Jesus threatened to vomit the church from His mouth. Of all the churches we’ve discussed, with their problems of sexual immorality, loss of love, and spiritual coldness, Jesus threatened to evict Laodicea alone.

The Laodiceans thought they were rich; Jesus said they were poor. The Laodiceans thought they had wealth; Jesus counseled them to buy “gold refined by fire.” Fire purifies by burning the impurities. St. Paul had already warned the Corinthians that in the day of judgment, many would see their works burned to ashes. Jesus warned the Laodiceans to buy “white garments” to clothe themselves; their lives needed purifying. Jesus admonished the Laodiceans to buy “salve” for their eyes so they could see their wretched condition before Him.

Again, Jesus gave the church a chance to repent, saying this chance proved His love for them. If Jesus didn’t love this church, He wouldn’t have warned them of their condition and given them the opportunity to change their ways.

What follows demonstrates the worst possible state of a congregation. Jesus said that He stood at the door, knocking, wanting in. Can you imagine a group calling itself a church without the presence of Christ Himself? Whereas Jesus opened the door for Philadelphia, Laodicea had shut the door in His face. Have you shut the door to blessings in your life by your lifestyle? Have you allowed the door to close on opportunities to grow spiritually and bless others in your life?

Do you see yourself in one of these churches? If so, where do you honestly belong?

As I said in an earlier sermon, everyone wants to see himself in the church of Philadelphia; faithful, vibrant, and boldly confessing the name of Jesus Christ to the world. Unfortunately, as we look at the Church today, we see both believers and congregations that fit into the examples of other churches addressed in Revelation.

If you see yourself anywhere but Philadelphia, remember that Jesus offers the chance to repent. Forgiveness is available to all who believe and repent of their sins. Jesus can take the worst believer or congregation and mold it into a living example of His love for the world. Any church, any believer, can experience the blessings of Philadelphia when we approach Him in repentance. Jesus loves open doors; He wants to open the doors in your life to bring others to salvation.