PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR THE SERMON BY LOOKING THROUGH THESE SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL ASSIST YOU IN MAKING THE MOST OF OUR TIME TOGETHER HEARING GOD'S WORD.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• Revelation 1:4 mentions the seven Spirits as does Revelation 3:1. To what/who is the seven spirits a reference? The seven stars mentioned in 3:1 were previously explained in 1:20. What do the seven stars symbolize?
• What is the reputation of the church in Sardis according to verse 1?
• What is the condition of the church in Sardis? What is known about them?
• What does it mean in verse 2 for their deeds to not be completed?
• The beginning of verse 3 gives the key action involved in waking up. What is that action? What might this action practically look like?
• What descriptors are given of the “few” in Sardis?
• What is the outcome for those who overcome?

Prayerfully Meditate

• What aspect of the speaker in emphasized in verse 1 by identifying him as the one who possesses the seven spirits of God and the seven stars?
• The end of verse 2 explains that the assessment of the Church is in the sight of God. What does that statement emphasize about the relationship between God and the church?
• What does it mean in verse 2 for their deeds to not be completed?
• The beginning of verse 3 gives the key action involved in waking up. What is that action? What might this action practically look like?
• Is this passage likely talking about the coming as a thief in the night in regard to the return of Christ or some other judgment on this church? Support your answer.