05 Jesus Calling-Strengthen What Is About to Die

River Church Sermons

Jesus Calling

Part 5: Strengthen What Is About to Die

By Louie Marsh, 12-1-2024

Last slide – hypocrisy word cloud.

1) Jesus holds the Spirit of LIFE.

“1“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “(Revelation 3:1a, ESV)

Verse NOT on outline!

“63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63, ESV)

2) Jesus sees and knows their HYPOCRISY.

. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (Revelation 3:1b, ESV)

· When I allow APPEARANCES to be different from what really is – I’m a hypocrite.

“27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27–28, ESV)

Slide defining hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy is baked into the church and other institutions – My ego plus people want to put you on a pedestal.

3) I need to WAKE UP before it’s too late.

“2Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. (Revelation 3:2, ESV)

· Wake up – we’ve been sleeping – in denial.

γρηγορεῖν is to be awake when one is aroused. The latter word is used here. The Lord is right now arousing the church. The present imperative demands that it continue in this wakefulness. - R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John’s Revelation

“11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11, ESV)

· Strengthen – it’s there, but it’s weak and sick and needs help.

The aorist imperative στήριξον means to take strong, immediate, effective measures. “To make decisively firm” all that is ready to die completely conveys the idea of establishing it with new life and vitality so that it may be able to shake off this creeping death and to stand solidly against its inroads. - R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John’s Revelation

“6“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.” (Zechariah 10:6, ESV)

· About to die – there is a time limit, a point of no return here. I don’t want to cross it.

4) REMEMBER & repent or else!

“3Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” (Revelation 3:3, ESV)

5) The ETERNAL blessings awaiting the conqueror.

“4Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:4–5, ESV)

6) Listen Up!

“6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” (Revelation 3:6, ESV)