It's Time for a Spiritual Check-up

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"...I know your works..." (Revelation 3:1).
Introduction
Have you even been with someone who has gone to the doctor for a physical check-up? Maybe as a parent you've
taken your child for a medical check over.
Today, picture yourself as one of the disciples accompanying the Lord Jesus as He visits the churches to check up on
them. We are going to visit three churches. (See Revelation 3:1-13.)
Sardis church gets a check-up (verses 1-6)
Sardis was the ancient capital city of the province of Lydia. It was famous for woolen textiles and dyeing of the wool and
minting of gold and silver coins.
The main cult was the worship of Artemis, which was very immoral and degenerate. It was a cult of hysteria and
mutilation. There was also a large Jewish synagogue there which indicated a large Jewish population. The people were
notoriously rich and licentious. 'Licentiousness' (which means unrestrained sexually immoral activity) such as takes
place in 'schoolies week'. (Similar words are lewdness, sensuality, and lustfulness). Beware of the misuse of the word
"freedom" which some misuse as a smokescreen for their flthy behaviour. True Christianity is shown by loving
obedience to God's holy commandments (1 John 1:5-7, 2:3-5, 5:3).
It was a well-fortifed city, built on a steep sided mountain ridge. But "the Christian community was infected by the
complacency of the place" (Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible).
The Lord's Diagnosis (verses 1-2)
"you are dead," although you have a reputation for being alive spiritually. Do not be deceived into thinking that if a
church has a lot of programs going on, then this proves that it is alive. Why does the church die spiritually? Why do we
personally die spiritually? It is because the fre of love for the Lord goes out in our souls - through neglect of fellowship
with the Lord.
"Your works are imperfect before God." The quality of their works was lacking. They worked for their reputation, and
not out of a motive of loving service to the Lord Jesus.
"You have a few who have not defled themselves." This implies that most of you have defled yourselves by sin
and have compromised with the luxury and licentiousness around you. But the fact that some had kept themselves
undefled shows that, by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible to overcome the pull of sin around you. The
real issue is: do you really want to overcome sin in your life by God's power?
The Lord's Cure (verses 2-3)
Be watchful. The city of Sardis itself is an illustration of this point. Because it was fortifed and built on the top
of a steep mountain ridge they thought it was unconquerable. But, twice in history, it was conquered
because they were not watchful at a weak point. One point was so steep that no guard was ever set there.
But one of the watching enemy Persian soldiers discovered this, when a guard of the city was seen to retrieve
a helmet, which had rolled down from the top. So, the enemy discovered a path to the top of the mountain.
The Persian soldiers were thus able to climb to the top of the mountain and take the city - all because of not
being watchful.
Don't let anybody ambush your soul.
Read Romans 12:1-2.
Strengthen what spiritual life you have left.
Remember how you frst received and heard the Gospel.
Hold fast to this Gospel of Christ.
Repent of your spiritual deadness.
Overcome this deflement and deadness of your soul by coming back to Christ, in the same way you did at
frst.
Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.
The Lord's ro!ise (verse ")
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and his name will be kept in the Book of Life and Christ will
confess your name to His Father and to His angels. White clothing is symbolic of holiness. It means that there were
some at Sardis who were living godly lives in spite of being surrounded by wickedness.
"The promise is made not only to those in Sardis who would be victorious, but to all in every age and every land." (Albert
Barnes)
The Book of Life is God's record of those who are to live with Him in Heaven, if they continue faithfully until death. (Our
names can be blotted out from the Book of Life.) Those in the Sardis Church who have not defled their lives with sin,
are recorded in God's Book of Life - and those who are spiritually dead are not recorded in this Book of Life. (See
Exodus 32:32-33) The way to have your name recorded in the Book of Life is to repent of your sins and hold fast to faith
in Christ.
(The Book of Life is also mentioned in Rev.13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 20:15, 21:27, 22:19, Philippians 4:3, Malachi 3:16, Psalm
69:28, Exodus 32:32-33.)
"There is a process of erasure going on, beside that of entering." (Ellicott)
The Lord's #arning (verse 3)
If you do not watch, I will come upon you suddenly and unexpectedly for judgment.
The hi$ade$phia church gets a check-up (verses %-13)
Philadelphia was a city of the province of Lydia founded in 159-138 BC by King Attalus II Philadelphus. He was called
this because of his devotion to his brother Eumenus: hence the meaning, City of Brotherly Love (New International
Dictionary of the Bible).
It was located 25 miles Northeast of Sardis. "The city of Philadelphia had a relatively small population in John's day, due
to the fear of earthquakes, with which the city was plagued." (Revelation: Four Views)
The church here won many Jews to Christ. This is why the unconverted Jews reacted with hostile opposition to the
church. The church here was a humble and faithful church. The Apostle John "cautions the church in Philadelphia
not to be discouraged because they are a nobody." (Henry H. Halley)
John reminds them of the character, authority and power of the One who is checking up on their church (verses 7-8).
"The One who is holy and true" (verse 7). God is holy and He alone is the source of all holiness.
Verses 7 and 8 apply directly to Christ. He is "holy and true." He has "the key of David." "He opens and no one can
shut." "He shuts and no one can open."
The Key of David represents governmental authority. This is a quotation from Isaiah 22:22 - which illustrates Christ's
authority. Eliakim, who was the servant of Hezekiah, held the key to the palace in Jerusalem. Likewise, the Lord Jesus
(The Son of David) has the Key to Heaven, and can grant admission to Heaven or keep out of Heaven whoever He
wishes. Isn't it wonderful that the Lord has promised: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life ... He who is believing in Him is not
condemned, but he who is not believing in Him is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16,18)
The Lord's Diagnosis (verses & ' 1()
You have a little strength (verse 8). This "may refer to the smallness of the numbers" (Adam Clarke),
because the whole picture of the church was healthy. (It had little numerical strength.)
You have kept [obeyed] My word. The bottom line of our Christian living is "have you obeyed the Word of
the Lord?" These Christians at Philadelphia had obeyed the Lord consistently.
You have not denied My name. The pagan and Jewish world around them had put pressure on them to deny
the name of Christ - as Peter had experienced at Christ's mock trial. It is the same today, at work, at public
meetings, among relatives, to deny or keep quiet about Christ's name. They did not yield to the pressure.
You have persevered. 'Stick-ability' is one of the basic qualities you must learn in the Christian life. You learn
it one day at a time - through every experience, in everything you do, by walking with the Lord.
Overall, they had a healthy and encouraging diagnosis.
The Lord's )dvice (verses 11 ' 13)
Hold fast tenaciously your relationship with the Lord, so that no one can take your crown. Keep on listening to what he
Holy Spirit is saying to your church.
The Lord's ro!ise (verses *+1(+12)
"I will make those of the synagogue of Satan ... come and worship before your feet." This means I will make
these Jews; who think they are serving God but are serving Satan; come to worship alongside of you and to
acknowledge Christ's love to you. Remember how mistaken Saul (Paul) had been - thinking he was serving
God, but in reality was serving Satan. The Lord confronted him with his error and he repented.
Because you have obeyed My command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come
upon the whole earth. I will protect you in this coming trial.
To those who overcome, I will make a pillar in the temple of God. This means that those who overcome will
be given a permanent place in God's presence in Heaven.
,ur church gets a check-up
How is your personal love for Christ?
How do you show it?
How much time do you spend each day with Him in prayer and reading the Bible?
Have you talked to your family, friends, neighbours, and other people about the Lord this week?
Do you practice stewardship of your time, energy and money? For instance, are you: meeting together for
prayer and Bible Study, tithing, and doing some form of regular service or help in the church?
The cure for cooling of in our love for Christ is not more activity - but more fellowship with Christ.
What this church is collectively is because of all of us who make up this church. Yes, the pastor has a major
responsibility to lead this local church: but also each of you has an important part to play in the life of this church. When
you and I walk close to the Lord it strengthens this church, but when any of us does not walk close with the Lord it
has a downward pull on this church, holding this church back from fully being a powerful witness for Christ.
Conc$usion
Now that we have observed the Lord's check-up on these three churches - what has the Holy Spirit been saying to you
about your own spiritual condition?
Do you realize that your own spiritual condition afects the spiritual health of this church - either improving it or pulling it
down? (Because this church is made up of everyone who is a part of it.)
If the Holy Spirit has convicted you or me of things or areas of our lives that need to be changed and improved do not -
whatever you do - reject His word to you. Talk to the Lord about it, accept His message and ask Him to change your
heart and life. He is longing to make you and this church more spiritually alive and well.
hora para um check-up espiritual
"... Conheo as tuas obras ..." (Apocalipse 3: 1).
introduo
oc! "# este$e com al%u&m 'ue tenha ido ao m&dico para um check-
up ()sico* +al$e, como um pai 'ue $oc! tenha tomado a criana para
um e-ame m&dico mais.
.o"e em dia/ ima%ine-se como um dos disc)pulos 'ue acompanham o
0enhor 1esus como 2le $isita as i%re"as para chec#-las. 2stamos indo
$isitar tr!s i%re"as. (e"a Apocalipse 3:. 1-13)
0ardes i%re"a recebe um check-up ($ersos 1-3)
0ardes era a anti%a capital da pro$)ncia de 45dia. 2le era (amoso por
tecidos de l e tin%imento de l e cunha%em de moedas de ouro e
prata.
6 principal culto era o culto de Artemis/ 'ue era muito imoral e
de%enerado. 7oi um culto de histeria e mutilao. .ou$e tamb&m
uma %rande sina%o%a "udaica l# o 'ue indica uma %rande populao
"udaica. As pessoas eram notoriamente rica e licenciosa.
84icenciosidade8 ('ue si%ni9ca desen(reada se-ualmente ati$idade
imoral)/ como ocorre em "schoolies semana 8. (:ala$ras similares so
lasc)$ia/ sensualidade e lu-;ria). Cuidado com o mau uso da pala$ra
"liberdade" 'ue al%um mau uso como uma cortina de (umaa para o
seu comportamento no"ento. 6 $erdadeiro cristianismo & mostrado
pela obedi!ncia amorosa aos mandamentos sa%rados de <eus (1 1oo
1: =->/ ?: 3-=/ =/ 3).
2ra uma cidade bem (orti9cada/ constru)do no cume de uma
montanha )n%reme lados. @as "a comunidade crist (oi in(ectado pela
complac!ncia do lu%ar" (Aonder$an :ictorial 2nc5clopedia da B)blia).
<ia%nCstico do 0enhor ($ers)culos 1-?)
"$oc! est# morto"/ embora $oc! tem uma reputao de ser $i$a
espiritualmente. Do se en%ane pensando 'ue se uma i%re"a tem um
monte de pro%ramas em curso/ ento isso pro$a 'ue ele est# $i$o.
:or 'ue a E%re"a morrer espiritualmente* :or 'ue nCs/ pessoalmente/
morrer espiritualmente* por'ue o (o%o do amor de <eus sai em
nossas almas - por ne%li%!ncia de comunho com o 0enhor.
"0uas obras so imper(eitas diante de <eus." A 'ualidade das suas
obras esta$a (altando. 2les trabalha$am para a sua reputao/ e no
por moti$o de ser$io amoroso ao 0enhor 1esus.
"oc! tem uns poucos 'ue no contaminaram a si mesmos." Esto
implica 'ue a maioria de $oc!s contaminaram-se com o pecado e ter
comprometido com o lu-o ea licenciosidade em torno de $oc!. @as o
(ato de 'ue al%uns se manti$eram imaculados mostra 'ue/ pelo poder
interior do 2sp)rito 0anto/ & poss)$el $encer a (ora do pecado ao seu
redor. A $erdadeira 'uesto &: $oc! realmente 'uer $encer o pecado
em sua $ida pelo poder de <eus*
Cura do 0enhor ($ers)culos ?-3)
S! $i%ilante. A prCpria cidade de 0ardes & uma ilustrao deste
ponto. :or'ue (oi (orti9cada e constru)da no topo de uma serra
)n%reme eles pensaram 'ue era in$enc)$el. @as/ duas $e,es na
histCria/ (oi con'uistada por'ue eles no esta$am atentos a um ponto
(raco. Fm ponto era to )n%reme 'ue nenhum %uarda (oi criado l#.
@as um dos inimi%os assistindo soldados persas descobri isso/
'uando um %uarda da cidade (oi $isto para recuperar um capacete/
'ue tinha rolado para bai-o a partir do topo. 2nto/ o inimi%o
descobriu um caminho para o topo da montanha. 6s soldados persas
(oram/ assim/ capa,es de subir at& o topo da montanha e tomar a
cidade - tudo por causa de no ser $i%ilante.
No dei-e nin%u&m emboscar sua alma.
Leia Romanos 1?: 1-?.
Fortalecer a vida espiritual que voc! dei-ou.
Lembre-se de como voc! recebeu pela primeira $e, e ou$iu o
2$an%elho.
Segure firme este Evangelho de Cristo.
Arrependa-se de seu estado de morte espiritual.
superar essa contaminao e mortandade de sua alma por $oltar a
Cristo/ da mesma (orma 'ue $oc! (e, no in)cio.
ua o 'ue o 2sp)rito 0anto est# di,endo a $oc!.
A promessa do 0enhor ($erso =)
6 'ue $encer ser# $estido de $estes brancas/ e seu nome ser#
mantido no 4i$ro da ida e Cristo te con(essar o seu nome para o pai
e para os seus an"os. Goupa branca & um s)mbolo de santidade. Esso
si%ni9ca 'ue hou$e al%uns de 0ardes 'ue esta$am $i$endo uma $ida
reli%iosa/ apesar de estar rodeado por maldade.
"A promessa & (eita no apenas para a'ueles em 0ardes 'ue seria
$itorioso/ mas a todos em todas as &pocas e todas as terras." (Albert
Barnes)
6 4i$ro da ida & o re%istro das pessoas 'ue esto a $i$er com ele no
c&u/ se continuar 9el at& a morte de <eus. (Dossos nomes podem ser
apa%ados do 4i$ro da ida.) As pessoas da E%re"a de 0ardes 'ue no
contaminaram as suas $idas com o pecado/ esto re%istrados no 4i$ro
da ida de <eus - e a'ueles 'ue esto espiritualmente mortos no
esto re%istrados neste li$ro da $ida . (e"a H-odo 3?: 3?-33) A
maneira de ter o seu nome re%istrado no 4i$ro da ida & para se
arrepender de seus pecados e se ape%am I (& em Cristo.
(6 4i$ro da ida tamb&m & mencionado em Apocalipse 13: J/ 1>/ J/
?K:1?/ ?K:1=/ ?1:?>/ ??:1L/ 7ilipenses M: 3/ @ala'uias 3:13/ 0almo
3L:?J/ H-odo 3?: 3?-33).
".# um processo de apa%amento acontecendo/ ao lado da'uela de
entrar." (2llicott)
A ad$ert!ncia do 0enhor ($ers)culo 3)
0e $oc! no prestar ateno/ eu $ir# sobre ti de repente e
inesperadamente/ para "ul%amento.
A i%re"a de 7ilad&l9a recebe um check-up ($ers)culos >-13)
7ilad&l9a era uma cidade da pro$)ncia de 45dia (undada em 1=L-13J
aC pelo rei Ntalo EE 7iladel(o. 2le (oi chamado isso por causa de sua
de$oo a seu irmo 2umenus: da) o si%ni9cado/ Cidade do Amor
7raterno (Do$o <icion#rio Enternacional da B)blia).
2le (oi locali,ado a ?= km a nordeste de 0ardes. "A cidade de
7ilad&l9a tinham uma populao relati$amente pe'uena na &poca de
1oo/ de$ido ao medo de terremotos/ com o 'ual a cidade (oi
assolada." (Apocalipse: 7our ieOs)
A i%re"a a'ui %anhou muitos "udeus a Cristo. por isso 'ue os "udeus
no con$ertidos rea%iu com oposio hostil I i%re"a. A E%re"a a'ui era
uma i%re"a humilde e 9el. 6 ApCstolo 1oo "/ ad$erte a i%re"a em
7ilad&l9a no desanime/ por'ue eles so um nin%u&m." (.enr5 ..
.alle5)
1ohn lembra do persona%em/ autoridade e poder d8A'uele 'ue est#
$eri9cando-se em sua i%re"a ($ersos >-J).
"A'uele 'ue & santo e $erdadeiro" ($ers)culo >). <eus & santo e
somente 2le & a (onte de toda a santidade.
6s $ers)culos > e J de aplicar diretamente a Cristo. 2le & o "santo e
$erdadeiro." 2le tem "a cha$e de <a$i." "2le abre e nin%u&m pode
(echar." "2le (echa e nin%u&m pode abrir."
A Cha$e de <a$i representa a autoridade %o$ernamental. 2sta & uma
citao de Esa)as ??:?? - o 'ue ilustra a autoridade de Cristo.
2lia'uim/ 'ue era o ser$o de 2,e'uias/ tinha a cha$e para o pal#cio
em 1erusal&m. <a mesma (orma/ o 0enhor 1esus (6 7ilho de <a$id)
tem a cha$e para o c&u/ e pode permitir a entrada para o C&u ou
manter (ora do C&u 'uem 2le 'uer. Do & mara$ilhoso 'ue o 0enhor
prometeu: ":or'ue <eus amou o mundo de tal maneira 'ue deu o seu
7ilho uni%!nito/ para 'ue todo a'uele 'ue nele cr! no perea/ mas
tenha a $ida eterna ... Puem cr! nele no & condenado / mas a'uele
'ue no cr! nele "# est# condenado/ por'uanto no cr! no nome do
uni%!nito 7ilho de <eus. "(1oo 3: 13/1J)
<ia%nCstico do 0enhor ($ers)culos J e 1K)
!oc! tem um pouco de (ora ($ers)culo J). 2ste "pode re(erir-se a
pe'uene, dos n;meros" (Adam Clarke)/ por'ue toda a ima%em da
i%re"a era saud#$el. (2le tinha pouca (ora num&rica.)
!oc! manti$eram QobedeceuR minha pala$ra. A 'uesto de (undo da
nossa $ida crist & "$oc! tem obedecido a :ala$ra do 0enhor*" 2stes
cristos de 7ilad&l9a ha$ia obedecido ao 0enhor de (orma consistente.
!oc! no ne%aste o meu nome. 6 pa%o eo mundo "udaico em
torno deles ha$ia colocado presso sobre eles para ne%ar o nome de
Cristo - como :eter tinha e-perimentado no "ul%amento simulado de
Cristo. o mesmo ho"e em dia/ no trabalho/ em reuniSes p;blicas/
entre parentes/ ne%ar ou calar sobre o nome de Cristo. 2les no ceder
I presso.
!oc! tem perse$erado. 80tick-a capacidade & uma das 'ualidades
b#sicas 'ue $oc! de$e aprender na $ida crist. oc! aprende 'ue um
dia de cada $e, - atra$&s de cada e-peri!ncia/ em tudo 'ue (a,/ por
andar com o 0enhor.
Em geral" eles tinham um diagnCstico saud#$el e encora"ador.
6 conselho do 0enhor ($ers)culos 11 e 13)
Ape%ue-tena,mente o seu relacionamento com o 0enhor/ de modo
'ue nin%u&m pode tirar sua coroa. Continue ou$indo o 'ue ele
2sp)rito 0anto est# di,endo I sua i%re"a.
A promessa do 0enhor ($ers)culos L/1K/1?)
#Eu farei aos da sinagoga de Satan#s ... $enha e se prostraro diante de
seus p&s." Esso si%ni9ca 'ue eu $ou (a,er esses "udeusT 'ue pensam
'ue esto ser$indo a <eus/ mas esto ser$indo a 0atan#sT a adorar
ao lado de $oc!s e para reconhecer o amor de Cristo com $oc!.
4embre-se como e'ui$ocada 0aulo (:aulo) tinha sido - pensando 'ue
ele esta$a ser$indo a <eus/ mas na realidade esta$a ser$indo a
0atan#s. 6 0enhor con(rontou-o com o seu erro e se arrependeu.
$orque voc! tem obedecido pala$ra da minha perse$erana/ tamb&m
eu te %uardarei da hora da pro$ao 'ue h# de $ir sobre toda a terra.
2u $ou te prote%er neste prC-imo "ul%amento.
$ara aqueles que vencer" eu o farei coluna no templo de %eus. &sto significa que
aqueles que superar ser# dado um lu%ar permanente na presena de <eus
no c&u.
Dossa i%re"a recebe um check-up
Como & o seu amor pessoal por Cristo*
Como voc! mostr#-lo*
'uanto tempo voc! %asta por dia com 2le em orao e leitura da
B)blia*
!oc! "# (alou com sua (am)lia/ ami%os/ $i,inhos e outras pessoas
sobre o 0enhor esta semana*
!oc! pratica a administrao do seu tempo/ ener%ia e dinheiro* :or
e-emplo/ $oc! est#: reunidos para a orao e estudo da B)blia/ o
d),imo/ e (a,er al%um tipo de ser$io re%ular ou a"uda na i%re"a*
A cura para se re(rescar em nosso amor por Cristo no & mais
ati$idade - mas mais comunho com Cristo.
6 'ue esta i%re"a & coleti$amente & por causa de todos nCs 'ue
compSem esta i%re"a. 0im/ o pastor tem uma %rande responsabilidade
de le$ar esta i%re"a local/ mas tamb&m cada um de $oc!s tem um
papel importante a desempenhar na $ida da i%re"a. Puando $oc! e eu
andar perto do 0enhor (ortalece a i%re"a/ mas 'uando 'ual'uer um de
nCs no anda perto com o 0enhor tem uma (ora para bai-o sobre
esta i%re"a/ se%urando esta i%re"a $olta de ser completamente um
poderoso testemunho para Cristo.
concluso
A%ora 'ue temos obser$ado check-up do 0enhor sobre estas tr!s
i%re"as - o 'ue o 2sp)rito 0anto (oi di,endo a $oc! sobre a sua prCpria
condio espiritual*
oc! percebe 'ue sua prCpria condio espiritual a(eta a sa;de
espiritual da i%re"a - ou melhor#-lo ou pu-#-lo para bai-o* (:or'ue
esta i%re"a & constitu)da de todos 'ue & uma parte dela.)
0e o 2sp)rito 0anto condenou $oc! ou me de coisas ou #reas de
nossas $idas 'ue precisam ser mudadas e melhoradas no - o 'ue
$oc! (a, - re"eitam a 0ua pala$ra para $oc!. 7ale com o 0enhor sobre
isso/ aceitar 0ua mensa%em e pedir-lhe para mudar seu corao e
$ida. 2le est# ansioso para (a,er $oc! e esta i%re"a mais
espiritualmente $i$o e bem.