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The Overriding Concern of the Redeemed! 

The reason I shared that story was that Aesop (620-560 B.C.) of the famed Aesop’s Fables was one of the most famous citizens of the city named Sardis.

Read Rev. 3:1-6      The Overriding Concern of the Redeemed                  Let’s Pray!     

Things we know about Sardis:  

Sardis had a huge necropolis (city of the dead).

Jesus is the One who gives the energizing Holy Spirit                               V. 1a

The Sevenfold character of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah 11:2-5:

Spirit of the Lord

Spirit of wisdom and understanding

Spirit of counsel and might

Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord

“In Him also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation- in Him when you believed- were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.”                      -Ephesians 1:13-14

In each of the first three chapters the word for “stars” occurs in a context where it probably refers to the pastors of the churches.     

 

The danger of deception in our lives                                                              V. 1b

I heard recently that for every 1 person in America that thinks they are going to Hell after death, there are 120 people who think they are going to Heaven.

I wonder how many of us have a good reputation before others but not God?

The overriding concern of the redeemed is to impress God whether or not men are impressed!  

What does NOT impress God                                                                V. 2

Right deeds done from wrong motives do not impress God!

 

“All our righteous acts are like a polluted garment.”        -Isaiah 64:6

What DOES impress God                                                                         V. 3

Right internal motivation impresses God, and then overflows into right deeds.

Levels of Motivation to serve God:

 

Higher:          Love                           “Want to”                Father, Friend        

                        Hope                                                              Rewarder                                        

                        Faith                                                              Teacher                    

 

Hinge:            Gratitude                                                      Redeemer, Savior

                                                           

Lower:           Guilt                           “Have to”                 Lord

                        Obligation                                                    Lawgiver

                        Fear                                                                Creator

Two great promises to the overcomer:                                              V. 5

 

1.        White clothes!

Now after 6 days Jesus took Peter, James and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured (metamorphoo) before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.              -Mark 9:2-3

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (metamorphoo) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.                     -Romans 12:2

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed (metamorphoo) into the same image from glory to glory, just as the by the Spirit of the Lord.             -2 Corinthians 3:18

2.        A guaranteed place in the Book of Life!