The Church at Sardis | Pastor Grant Ethridge | Liberty Live Church

Well, today we're looking at the church at Sardis.

And so as we look at the church at Sardis, I want you to know it was a wealthy city.

That it was polytheistic, they worshiped many gods, they had many different temples.

Some of the first coins that were ever minted were minted there at Sardis.

They were known for garments, they were known for carpet, they were known for the wool industry.

The remains from the early church building have been found there in Sardis and it's right near the temple of Artemis.

Now, that magnificent pagan temple right near it, there was a little church building.

And I just love the fact that Christianity in its beginning was shining the light in the midst of darkness.

And that's what we're called to do as a church.

I told you that these are literal locations and churches.

And so...

the letter was not written, just in broad general terms.

In other words, there's seven letters to seven different churches, and neither church got the exact same letter.

Why? He was talking to those members.

It shows us the importance of church membership.

He's not writing to the guests.

He's not writing to those who would just go from one place to another.

No, he is writing to that local body of believers.

Have you got it? Say, I got it.

So these are timely letters and timeless, and they speak to us today.

The first thing I want you to write down is this, reputation.

And the outline comes straight from the text, reputation.

It says here, and to the angel of the church at Sardis write, the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

I know your works.

You have the, everybody say it.