Sermon Cloud

Sardis was one of the oldest and most important cities in Asia Minor. It was a centre for trade and so was exposed to many cultures and beliefs. The city was believed to be impregnable and the people were proud and arrogant. However, this arrogance led to the city's downfall in a surprise, stealthy night attack, not once, but twice. The Lord's warning about coming like a thief in the night would therefore resonate. The church at Sardis has become nominal, lifeless and ineffective. Its presence barely causes a ripple in the pagan lifestyle of the city. The church might seem peaceful, but it was the peace of death; hollow and lifeless. We need to be careful that we do not fall into the same trap that ensared Sardis.