Finishing Well: Revelation 3:1-6

                                                                      FINISHING WELL

Lessons From the Church in Sardis

 

When the 1964 Olympic Games were held in Tokyo, Sri Lanka sent a contingent that included a 10,000-meter runner named Ranatunge Karunananda. The 10,000-meter race was won by Billy Mills of the USA, and when Mills passed the finish line, Ranatunge was still 4 laps behind. (It is said that he was unwell that day). Spectators expected him to quit at some point, but he kept running. As he kept running alone, people began to laugh at him, and some even began to heckle him. But he still kept running.

When the spectators realized this unknown athlete was determined to finish the race, the jeers slowly turned to admiration, and applause began to rise across the Stadium. As he started the final lap, the applause grew louder as the crowd, inspired by his perseverance, encouraged him to finish the race. Cheers and applause erupted as the exhausted athlete eventually finished the race. Interviewed after the race, Ranatunge said, "The Olympic Spirit is not to win, but to take part. So, I completed my rounds." This story captured the imagination and the heart of the Japanese public so vividly that it eventually found its way into Japanese school textbooks!"[1]

Christian Life is like running a long-distance race, like a marathon. Today, many Christians are giving up on their spiritual race due to hardships and challenges that come their way. Let's be inspired by the Apostle Paul, who ran his race and said, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14).

For Christians, winning the race is not our primary goal; finishing the race well is. As we trace the lives of the Christians in the seven churches in Asia Minor recorded in Revelation, we will meet the Christians in the Church of Sardis today. What lessons can we learn from them that would help us finish our Christian race well? Finishing Well: Rev 3:1-6.

 

I. What do we know about Sardis?

 

Sardis was one of the most glorious cities in Asia, located thirty to forty miles southeast of Thyatira. Sardis was the first to mint gold and silver coins. In A.D. 17, a terrible earthquake devastated Sardis, and it was rebuilt after extensive aid from the Emperor Augustus.

To express their appreciation, the citizens of Sardis created a coin with his likeness and inscribed it "Cesarean Sardis." The people of Sardis had a special interest in death and immortality, and much of their religious life focused on nature worship, the fertility cycle, and bringing life out of death. The Church in Sardis looked alive, but in reality it was dying, not fully dead yet. To an almost-dead church, Christ introduces Himself as the giver of life.

Rev 3:1-2: "These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars." I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead." The Sardian Church, though it outwardly looked lively and successful, was dying inside. It is a typical example of churches and individual Christians who put up an appearance as though everything is going well, while in reality inwardly they might be crumbling and almost dying.

How is your Christian life, family life, and marriage? Are you putting up an appearance of success, as though all is well? You may fool yourselves and others, but can not fool God. Our God looks not only at outward appearance but also at what is really going on inside.

We can not hide from Him. Out of love and concern for our physical and spiritual well-being, He comes to us with a warning, a wake-up call, and leaves us with principles that would do damage control.

II. What does a spiritually dying christian do to come alive?

Rev 3:2, "Wake Up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." The Church in Sardis is almost to be plucked by the roots, yet Christ comes to her still holding her in his hand, along with the life-giving Spirit. What does this say about a church or an individual believer today? Barton notes, "As long as there is the slightest bit of life left, there is hope for renewal and revival. He does not abandon His Church even at the brink of death. He still extends life to all those who will receive it."[2]

The same rebuke Christ gave to the Sardinians applies to all sleepy and wayward Christians: "Wake Up!" In Scripture, whenever you see the words "Wake Up," we must pay attention, because they remind us of God's upcoming judgment on sleeping believers. We are to wake up from our slumber and complacency and do the work of strengthening.

What areas of your spiritual life are dying and need revival? Is it your prayer life, your reading of Scripture, attending Church and the fellowship of believers, or your marriage? You have to work hard to strengthen those areas before it is too late and beyond repair. Once we regain strength in those weak areas, we can keep running the race to the finish line. What would help us finish our race well? Three keys to finish well, followed by three promises of reward.

III. Three Keys to help us finish our race well.

            Rev 3:3, "Remember therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." These days, there is so much emphasis on the right kind of strategies, tools, teachings, etc to revitalize the dying churches. We spend a lot of money attending conferences and getting resources. What resources did Christ give to revitalize the Sardis Church?

A. Remember: "Remember therefore, what you have received and heard." Scripture advises us to remember several times. What are we to remember? What we have received from the Lord, and heard from our teachers, above all from the Holy Spirit. Here are a few things from the word we need to remember:

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

Psalm 143:5, "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

            The best way to remember what you have received and heard is to worship with God's people every Sunday. We gather to remember who God is, what he promises to us, and how he has called us to live. To finish what you started, let the Word of God restore and nourish your soul every day. Every time we celebrate Communion, we are remembering his death and resurrection until He comes. We also remember all the blessings he has poured out on us.

B. Holding Fast: We are not only called to remember all that God has done for us but also to hold fast to Him and his teachings no matter the cost, like the Smyrnanians. That calls us to run the race marked out for us with perseverance. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and the perfector of our faith." Hebrews 12:2

C. Repent: We remember God's faithfulness, we hold fast to His faithfulness, and we repent of the things that we should not have done. Remember, each time we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we use these keys regularly, as often as needed, they will help us finish our race well and unlock three rewards in the End.

IV. Three Promises

            In our Christian walk, we have times of high and low, victories and defeats, but as long as we use the three keys of remembrance, holding fast, and repentance, Jesus promises us three rewards. First reward: White Clothes: White clothes symbolize purity and victory. On the last day, when we finish our race well, you will take a victory lap, pure and blameless before God.

            Jesus's second promise is that he will never blot out your name from the book of life (Rev. 3:5). If you have genuine faith in him, he will keep you till the End. You will finish what you started! Our names must be written in the Lamb's book of life; without that, no one will enter into Heaven. Those who finish well will surely find their names in the book of life.

            Jesus's third promise: He will acknowledge our name before the Father and the angels. It's a picture of Jesus as a judge, pronouncing his verdict. On that last day, he will declare before the Father that those who are faithful to the End are righteous, pure, and victorious. As G. K. Beale suggests, "you may hear him read aloud your name from the book of life." We all experience spiritual lows and times when we wander away from God. What matters most is what you do in those times. Reach out to him. Let's be committed to Finishing Well in the End.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] Kalana Sandhana, “Ranatunga Karunananda: Unsung Hero of Sri Lankan Sports” Etthawitthi.com (6-15-19); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranatunge_Karunananda

[2] Douglas B. Burton, “A Glimpse at the Back of the Bible.” Page, 38

Finishing Well Revelation 3:1-6

                                                              FINISHING WELL

Lessons From the Church in Sardis

 

When the 1964 Olympic Games were held in Tokyo, Sri Lanka sent a contingent that included a 10,000-meter runner named Ranatunge Karunananda. The 10,000-meter race was won by Billy Mills of the USA, and when Mills passed the finish line, Ranatunge was still 4 laps behind. (It is said that he was unwell that day). Spectators expected him to quit at some point, but he kept running. As he kept running alone, people began to laugh at him, and some even began to heckle him. But he still kept running.

When the spectators realized this unknown athlete was determined to finish the race, the jeers slowly turned to admiration, and applause began to rise across the Stadium. As he started the final lap, the applause grew louder as the crowd, inspired by his perseverance, encouraged him to finish the race. Cheers and applause erupted as the exhausted athlete eventually finished the race. Interviewed after the race, Ranatunge said, "The Olympic Spirit is not to win, but to take part. So, I completed my rounds." This story captured the imagination and the heart of the Japanese public so vividly that it eventually found its way into Japanese school textbooks!"[1]

Christian Life is like running a long-distance race, like a marathon. Today, many Christians are giving up on their spiritual race due to hardships and challenges that come their way. Let's be inspired by the Apostle Paul, who ran his race and said, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14).

For Christians, winning the race is not our primary goal; finishing the race well is. As we trace the lives of the Christians in the seven churches in Asia Minor recorded in Revelation, we will meet the Christians in the Church of Sardis today. What lessons can we learn from them that would help us finish our Christian race well? Finishing Well: Rev 3:1-6.

 

I. What do we know about Sardis?

 

Sardis was one of the most glorious cities in Asia, located thirty to forty miles southeast of Thyatira. Sardis was the first to mint gold and silver coins. In A.D. 17, a terrible earthquake devastated Sardis, and it was rebuilt after extensive aid from the Emperor Augustus.

To express their appreciation, the citizens of Sardis created a coin with his likeness and inscribed it "Cesarean Sardis." The people of Sardis had a special interest in death and immortality, and much of their religious life focused on nature worship, the fertility cycle, and bringing life out of death. The Church in Sardis looked alive, but in reality it was dying, not fully dead yet. To an almost-dead church, Christ introduces Himself as the giver of life.

Rev 3:1-2: "These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars." I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead." The Sardian Church, though it outwardly looked lively and successful, was dying inside. It is a typical example of churches and individual Christians who put up an appearance as though everything is going well, while in reality inwardly they might be crumbling and almost dying.

How is your Christian life, family life, and marriage? Are you putting up an appearance of success, as though all is well? You may fool yourselves and others, but can not fool God. Our God looks not only at outward appearance but also at what is really going on inside.

We can not hide from Him. Out of love and concern for our physical and spiritual well-being, He comes to us with a warning, a wake-up call, and leaves us with principles that would do damage control.

II. What does a spiritually dying christian do to come alive?

Rev 3:2, "Wake Up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." The Church in Sardis is almost to be plucked by the roots, yet Christ comes to her still holding her in his hand, along with the life-giving Spirit. What does this say about a church or an individual believer today? Barton notes, "As long as there is the slightest bit of life left, there is hope for renewal and revival. He does not abandon His Church even at the brink of death. He still extends life to all those who will receive it."[2]

The same rebuke Christ gave to the Sardinians applies to all sleepy and wayward Christians: "Wake Up!" In Scripture, whenever you see the words "Wake Up," we must pay attention, because they remind us of God's upcoming judgment on sleeping believers. We are to wake up from our slumber and complacency and do the work of strengthening.

What areas of your spiritual life are dying and need revival? Is it your prayer life, your reading of Scripture, attending Church and the fellowship of believers, or your marriage? You have to work hard to strengthen those areas before it is too late and beyond repair. Once we regain strength in those weak areas, we can keep running the race to the finish line. What would help us finish our race well? Three keys to finish well, followed by three promises of reward.

III. Three Keys to help us finish our race well.

            Rev 3:3, "Remember therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." These days, there is so much emphasis on the right kind of strategies, tools, teachings, etc to revitalize the dying churches. We spend a lot of money attending conferences and getting resources. What resources did Christ give to revitalize the Sardis Church?

A. Remember: "Remember therefore, what you have received and heard." Scripture advises us to remember several times. What are we to remember? What we have received from the Lord, and heard from our teachers, above all from the Holy Spirit. Here are a few things from the word we need to remember:

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

Psalm 143:5, "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

            The best way to remember what you have received and heard is to worship with God's people every Sunday. We gather to remember who God is, what he promises to us, and how he has called us to live. To finish what you started, let the Word of God restore and nourish your soul every day. Every time we celebrate Communion, we are remembering his death and resurrection until He comes. We also remember all the blessings he has poured out on us.

B. Holding Fast: We are not only called to remember all that God has done for us but also to hold fast to Him and his teachings no matter the cost, like the Smyrnanians. That calls us to run the race marked out for us with perseverance. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and the perfector of our faith." Hebrews 12:2

C. Repent: We remember God's faithfulness, we hold fast to His faithfulness, and we repent of the things that we should not have done. Remember, each time we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we use these keys regularly, as often as needed, they will help us finish our race well and unlock three rewards in the End.

IV. Three Promises

            In our Christian walk, we have times of high and low, victories and defeats, but as long as we use the three keys of remembrance, holding fast, and repentance, Jesus promises us three rewards. First reward: White Clothes: White clothes symbolize purity and victory. On the last day, when we finish our race well, you will take a victory lap, pure and blameless before God.

            Jesus's second promise is that he will never blot out your name from the book of life (Rev. 3:5). If you have genuine faith in him, he will keep you till the End. You will finish what you started! Our names must be written in the Lamb's book of life; without that, no one will enter into Heaven. Those who finish well will surely find their names in the book of life.

            Jesus's third promise: He will acknowledge our name before the Father and the angels. It's a picture of Jesus as a judge, pronouncing his verdict. On that last day, he will declare before the Father that those who are faithful to the End are righteous, pure, and victorious. As G. K. Beale suggests, "you may hear him read aloud your name from the book of life." We all experience spiritual lows and times when we wander away from God. What matters most is what you do in those times. Reach out to him. Let's be committed to Finishing Well in the End.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

[1] Kalana Sandhana, “Ranatunga Karunananda: Unsung Hero of Sri Lankan Sports” Etthawitthi.com (6-15-19); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranatunge_Karunananda

[2] Douglas B. Burton, “A Glimpse at the Back of the Bible.” Page, 38

Cannot But Speak Of Jesus: Acts 4:13-22

                                                    CANNOT BUT SPEAK OF JESUS

                                                                        Acts 4:13-20

Every year, Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors set aside a Sunday to pray for the persecuted Church worldwide. Today, we remember our persecuted brothers and sisters in God's family. Heb 13:3: "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

This Scripture tells us to regularly remember our brothers and sisters who are imprisoned or mistreated because of their faith. Let's enter their suffering as we suffer for our faith as we hear their stories and pray for them—the story of Bassam Video. When we know stories like Bassam's, we are prompted in prayer to the One who has made Bassam our brother.

Acts 4:13-20, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, "What shall we do with these men?

For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (ESV)

I title this Sermon: Cannot But Speak of Jesus (Acts 4:20). Let's look at what prompted the apostles Peter and John to make such a bold proclamation. It all began as Peter and John were going up to their afternoon prayer meeting in the temple. God interrupted their planned prayer meeting by performing a spectacular miracle, healing a beggar over 40 years old.

That incident sent panic through the administration and amazement through the crowds. Peter preached a powerful message of salvation, and the Holy Spirit convicted and saved about 5,000 people. Upon hearing the news, the temple captain and the Sadducees arrested them and brought them before the council. What made Peter so bold in proclaiming the Gospel message?

I. Faith in Action (vv. 13–14) 

            The early Church met regularly in the temple courts, devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. Acts 3:42-47. They were not only growing in their discipleship, but also putting their faith into action. Peter and John did not walk away from the lame beggar, thinking he was hindering their time of prayer; instead, they reached out to him and exercised their faith in God by performing a spectacular miracle in Jesus' name.

            Their faith in Christ was first experienced by the lame beggar, witnessed by about 5000 onlookers, and finally acknowledged by the council. Acts 4:13a: "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished." (ESV) Where did Peter and John get such boldness? Vs. 13 b: "They recognized that they had been with Jesus." Being with Jesus empowers us to share the Gospel boldly.

The council regarded these apostles as uneducated and ordinary men. The healing was not by their own power but by the Holy Spirit empowering them. Throughout Acts, we see the Gospel and faith in action on the front lines. In the early chapters of Acts, the Church grows amid fierce persecution. This is where the Church in the Arabian Peninsula finds itself today. 

 

II. Church Grows Amid Fierce Persecution (vv. 15–18)

Undeniably, God's power worked in the apostles' lives. As the council of leaders gathered, they recognized the evidence of God's power spreading among the people of Jerusalem. To silence them, the religious rulers charged Peter and John not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. This is a picture of persecution.

Persecution occurs when a Christian or a group of Christians lives boldly for their faith, and an opponent (an individual, community, or government) sees that activity and seeks to silence them. We see this happening in the book of Acts and throughout the world today.

Satan, the arch-enemy of God and of us, tries to silence the voices of Christians through persecution. The early Church began in persecution and continues to grow amid persecution. In the top 50 countries on Open Doors' World Watch List, more than 315 million Christians face very high or extreme persecution. 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted worldwide; 1 in 5 in Africa; and 2 in 5 in Asia.[1] Show the WWL Map. Yet in the midst of persecution, the Church continues to grow. When Christians are persecuted, they face two options: Be silent or continue to speak. What did the Apostle Peter and John choose when they were persecuted?

III. Cannot But Speak of Jesus

Acts 4:18-21, "So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened."

Peter and John were determined to obey God rather than yield to the council's vain threats, and they resolved to continue speaking about what they had seen and heard. As firsthand witnesses to Christ's ministry and teachings, they had been on the Mount of Transfiguration and had witnessed Jesus' radiant transformation. What does this mean for us in the 21^st Century?

We are called to obey governmental authority (Rom 13:1-7, 1 Pet 2:13-17). Still, when the government's decrees and policies clearly contradict God's Word, we must choose to obey God, our ultimate allegiance, rather than any human authority (Ex 1:15-17; the Hebrew midwives; Dan 6:4-10, Daniel in the lions' den). Every country in the world today has a Christian. While many more unreached and unengaged people groups need to hear the Gospel, no government, radical extremist group, or any other opposition can thwart the plan of God. Like Peter, John, and Bassam, could we also take a bold stand and speak up for Jesus?

IV. Enter the Suffering of the Persecuted Church

Though we are part of a small local Church called Sharon Hope Church, we have spiritual brothers and sisters all over the world. We belong to one BIG God's family.

According to 1 Cor 12:13, all followers of Christ are joined together as a spiritual body, with Christ Jesus as our Head. If one part of the body suffers, every part suffers (1 Cor 12:26).

If that is the case, how is it that many Christians don't even care about the plight of over 365 million of our brothers and sisters who are suffering, not only for their faith but also for ours? Since they suffer for our faith, and we are part of Christ's body together, they need to know that they are never alone. How could we enter the suffering of the persecuted Church?

First, pray regularly that God will heal, comfort, strengthen, and provide for the families of the persecuted brothers and siters so that they can remain faithful in their newfound faith. Second, adopt an unreached people group, such as the Senegalese; pray for their salvation and financially invest in a missionary, a mission agency, or a church that is reaching that group.

Many Christians, pastors, and missionaries in troubled countries serve God without the luxuries we in the West take for granted. Many of our brothers and sisters lack adequate financial resources to send their children to school, provide food, clothing, and housing, or meet their medical needs, yet they cheerfully go out and share the Good News of the Gospel.

Here in the West, we have so much abundance, yet we complain and are complacent about God, the Church, our faith, and telling others about Jesus. As Scripture says, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Let's re-examine our priorities! One way we can enter the sufferings of persecuted Christians is by financially supporting missionaries and missions in the 10/40 window. You can make your Dunkin Donuts coffee actually work for God's Kingdom. By sacrificing one cup of coffee a day ($3.00), you can support a missionary with $90 a month.

 

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[1] https://www.opendoors.org/persecution/countries