Corpses and Clean Clothes in Christ’s Church (Revelation 3:1–6)

A  common practice for many sport teams is to watch film from previous  games. Oftentimes a coach will lead these viewings, stopping the tape  from time to time to point out successes and failures, strengths and  weaknesses, areas to be applauded and areas to improve. The purpose  behind these sessions isn’t humiliation or confrontation but, rather, refinement, motivation, and group cohesion. A good coach knows that a team rises and falls together; that while a weak member harms the whole, a strong member can inspire those faltering. Sardis, like every church since (including our own), is a team that has on her roster some who are struggling and some who are thriving. In our text  today, Coach Jesus watches some game film with that congregation—correcting, challenging, affirming, and encouraging— with the ultimate goal being the strengthening, effectiveness, and growth of the entire team. Key Passage: Revelation 3:1–6 Series: Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus Speaker: Josiah Boyd