Sermon 240

SERMON 240 — THE LIVING MEMBERS OF A DEAD CHURCH

Text: Revelation 3:4–5
Date: September 6, 1942
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

The Lord has revealed a dead church. He has told that church what to do about the remnant that had not yet died.He has also warned of the terrible judgment that will come upon those who do not repent and who will not watch.Now follows a message of comfort and encouragement for those members of the church who are not guilty—and for those who, being guilty, have repented and turned again to the Lord.There is a message here for the faithful few, the living members of the dead church.

SUBJECT: THE LIVING MEMBERS OF THE DEAD CHURCH
THE LIVING FEW

I. THE LORD’S TESTIMONY CONCERNING THEM

A. He mentions that they are few.
1. The greater part of the membership is dead.
  a. The Lord knows the facts, and what He states is true.
  b. What a sad and tragic state of affairs.
2. He does not overlook the few.
  a. He does not condemn them with the rest.
  b. These few are very precious to Him; He bought them with a great price.
  c. He knows His own, and though they live in a Sodom, He will not neglect them.

B. He says that they have kept their garments clean.
1. The garments refer to their new life—themselves as saved—righteousness given by grace.
2. This does not mean they live without sin; that is impossible.
3. They have not defiled themselves by stooping to oneness with the world. They strive to keep clean, to live apart from sin, and when they do sin, it grieves them, and they hasten to seek forgiveness.
4. They have lived separate from the world and in harmony with their confession. They are truly converted.

C. He says they are worthy.
1. This does not mean they make themselves worthy or that they have earned anything.
2. They are conducting themselves in a manner becoming a Christian. They are worthy of the name Christian; they live up to their confession.
3. They are sound—not corrupted like the rest. Like a few good apples in a basket full of spoiled ones.

II. THE LORD’S PROMISES FOR THEM

A. They shall walk with Him in white.
1. They shall walk with Him:
  a. As His friends.
  b. Very near unto Him.
  c. With all distance and separation removed.
  d. In sweet communion with Christ—something they already enjoy in part, but which awaits fuller glory.
2. In white:
  a. Perfectly holy and righteous—the fullness of salvation.
  b. Victorious.
  c. Celebrating festively.
  d. Gloriously beautiful.

B. Their names shall not be blotted out of the Book of Life.
1. This happens to those who die spiritually—their names removed from among the living and written among the dead. Strictly speaking, their names were never truly in the Book, but this is language for us.
2. He will not blot out the names of the faithful few with the majority. He will carefully protect them.
3. He promises to see to it that death will not overtake them. He will keep them alive by the Holy Spirit and His Word.

C. He will confess them.
1. In heaven before the Father and His angels.
2. He will own them as His own.
3. He will not be ashamed of them but will openly embrace them as His beloved.

D. These promises are both for those who remained separate and for those who repented at Christ’s admonition.
1. He puts them both on the same level—how great is His grace.
2. All who repent shall be arrayed in white and shall walk with Christ.

CONCLUSION

We may not be able to judge whether we as a church are dead or alive.But the question for you is: Are you alive?If you are alive, though all the rest be dead, you have blessed promises.Are you alive?