Sunday, May 8, 2016

SARDIS

Today’s Reading: Revelation 3:1-6

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Backed onto one wall of the synagogue in ancient Sardis is a row of Byzantine-era (4th century AD) shops along the main road of the city (below). The road once formed the westernmost stretch of the Royal Road. Some of the shops can still be identified from inscriptions, such as: “shop of Jacob, elder of the synagogue,” “hardware shop,” “office,” “Jacob’s paint shop” and “restaurant.”

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Revelation 3:5

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

 

Let’s understand that Jesus said, “I will NOT blot out his name from the book of life.” Some will immediately assume that He does blot out some names. That’s not what this means. Jesus does not do that! John tells us that not only does He not blot out names, but He confesses the names of the persons in the Book of Life before His Father. The other three writers of the Gospels all refer to this (Matthew 10:32, Mark 8:32, Luke 9:26) Read Matthew 10:28-33. The Jewish synagogue in Sardis was huge and it occupied the very centre of the city. Let us remember that until the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D., Christians worshipped with their fellow Jews in the Temple. It was the same for the synagogues throughout the world. Those believers in Jesus who were Jews continued singing the Psalms and sitting under the teaching of the Rabbis. On what became known as “The Lord’s Day” (the day of Jesus’ resurrection and the day of the birthday of the Church) those who were Christians gathered in each other’s homes where they were taught all about Jesus through the writings of the Apostles, and those of the lead Christian Pastor in the city. In these home churches, John’s “Revelation” would have been read. There may have been only one handwritten scroll of each of the Gospels, of the letters of Paul, and of the book of Revelation. They passed the scrolls around. To bring their Bibles to church they would’ve needed a cart to hold all the scrolls! Thank God for the invention of the printing press, and now the Bible is all over the World Wide Web (e.g. www.100words.ca). We have no excuse for not reading every Word of God’s Message to us over and over throughout our lives.

According to Jesus, the Sardis church was dead (3:1b). Yes, they said they believed in Jesus. Yes, they gathered together with other believers. Yes, they had a reputation of life. But where was the life which Jesus gives by the Holy Spirit? A few of the believers had genuine life in Christ, but the majority did not. Do we have ears, not just for decoration, but to hear God speak through His Word?

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, as I read and hear Your message to the believers of Sardis, I am moved to pray fervently that I will “Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die” (3:2a). I ask for grace daily that I may “remember” why I have “received and heard.” May I “hold fast and repent!” (3:3a). Grant me consistency in daily overcoming sin and living in the purity which will enable me to accept Your invitation, “Walk with Me in white!” (3:4b). Amen! Amen! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m aware of a Pastor (Bishop) called Melito of Sardis. Some of his written sermons have been passed on to us by Eusebius, Pastor/Bishop of Caesarea, who wrote the first church history book. Melito would probably have been a young man in the church in Sardis when “Revelation” was read to the believers. No doubt he was one of whom Jesus said, “walked with Me in white.” I’m going to include below in my “P.S.” just the conclusion of three of Melito’s sermons written around 160 A.D. (take a moment to read them now…). Based on this powerful preaching, I think that the “Dead” church of Sardis had experienced a revival and had come fully ALIVE! Of course, I am an incurable optimist! Jesus talked to dead people. There was the little girl in Capernaum. Jesus said to her, “Talitha cumi,” “Little girl, arise!” Jesus said to Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, “Come forth!” He specializes in resurrection!!! It is said that when a person is dying, hearing is the last sense still active, perhaps right up until rigor mortis sets in. Let’s never give up!

Yours for being faithful like Melito of Sardis,

David

P.S. Below is the last paragraph from three of Melito’s sermons, written in Sardis around 160 A.D.

1. From “The Easter Praise of Christ”:

Come, then, all you nations of men, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you. I am your forgiveness. I am the Passover that brings salvation. I am the lamb who was immolated for you. I am your ransom, your life, your resurrection, your light, I am your salvation and your king. I will bring you to the heights of heaven. With my own right hand I will raise you up, and I will show you the eternal Father.

2. From “The Lamb That Was Slain”: 

It is he who was made man of the Virgin, he who was hung on the tree; it is he who was buried in the earth, raised from the dead, and taken up to the heights of heaven. He is the mute lamb, the slain lamb, the lamb born of Mary, the fair ewe. He was seized from the flock, dragged off to be slaughtered, sacrificed in the evening, and buried at night. On the tree no bone of his was broken; in the earth his body knew no decay. He is the One who rose from the dead, and who raised man from the depths of the tomb.

3. From “On The Passover”: 

This is the alpha and the omega. This is the beginning and the end–an indescribable beginning and an incomprehensible end. This is the Christ. This is the king. This is Jesus. This is the general. This is the Lord. This is the one who rose up from the dead. This is the one who sits at the right hand of the Father. He bears the Father and is borne by the Father, to whom be the glory and the power forever. Amen.

One of the shops in ancient Sardis appears to have served as a Christian baptistery, with a rectangular basin (below) made of reused marble slabs with crosses superimposed over pagan inscriptions and decorations.

Among the ruins of ancient Sardis are the remains of the celebrated Temple of Artemis. It was built on the site of a former temple dedicated to the cult of the Anatolian goddess Cybele (burned down by the Athenians). Construction began about 334 BC, soon after Sardis was liberated from Alexander the Great. Artemis was the main goddess of the city and the Sardis temple was one of the seven largest Greek temples (more than double the size of the Parthenon in Athens). Artemis, known to the Romans as Diana, was the daughter of Zeus and twin of Apollo. She was the goddess of the hunt, the moon and fertility.

16 thoughts on “Sunday, May 8, 2016

  1. Amen, amen, and amen! Thanks for including the ends of Melitos’ sermons, David. And thank You, Jesus, for including our names in the book of life! How blessed are we! Wishing all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day. And wishing my mom, a Happy Mother’s Day–I love you!

    “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
    Pro 3:5–6, NIV

    Dan Bremnes – Where The Light Is
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay9aZB9zUdk

  2. An urgent letter from Open Doors Canada:

    Dear Praying Partner,

    This Sunday, May 8, 2016, Christians from all denominations in Aleppo, Syria will join with one voice asking God to save Aleppo.They are urging us to join them in prayer – praying and fasting with them this Sunday.

    Please get the word out to church leaders, small study groups and Christian friends.

    THE SITUATION: You have probably seen the news reports:

    Empty streets, missiles coming down like rain on a daily bases and mothers and fathers carrying the bodies of their dead children; After 5 years of terrifying war, Christians in Aleppo are on the fringe of losing hope – on the verge of extinction.

    The past week has been particularly bloody. A hospital and a university were hit, as well as a Christian neighbourhood. With their last strength they are calling out to God. “Despite our misery, the truth is that Jesus is risen!” says a Christian from Aleppo.

    Thank you for caring and praying,

    Paul Johnson
    Executive Director, Open Doors Canada

  3. Praying for the Christians and everyone in Aleppo, Syria. Lord, save them and free them from the turmoil by Your mercy and grace. Praying for the rain to pour down in Alberta to stop the fire. Lord, we need Your help, here on earth, urgently, in these two situations, in particular, and many more. Hear our cries, Lord and answer them, in Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray, amen, amen, and amen.

  4. Great pictures…thank you for your exposition of them, and the Prayer/word of Bishop Melito of Sardis. How blessed we are for this daily blog:)!!

    Praise God, for HIS HAND on the people of Ft McMurray. The weather is cooling and there is promise of RAIN, I PRAY IT BE SO!!!

  5. Agreeing in prayer for the saving of Aleppo, Syria. Lord Jesus have mercy and hear the desperate cry of these people for themselves and their dear children. Comfort them that mourn and give them strength. Also for divine intervention in Fort McMurray and other areas and send rain dear Lord. I wonder how many churches were also burned there as I never heard it mentioned on the news. Happy Mother’s day to all the mothers on this blog!

  6. Father God we come together in unison to pray for the people in Aleppo Syria. They are desperate to be freed from this terrible situation. Comfort those who have lost loved ones and bless the children as they face terror at such young ages.

    I also pray for rain to fall on Ft. McMurray to stop the fires. Thanks and praise for what you will do Lord. In Jesus name. Amen

  7. Praise God for our prayers, saints. Change in weather is slowing the spread of fires in Alberta. Amen!!! We must keep praying, with determination and faith!!!

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