Sardis and The Hidden Treasure

Temple Baptist Church - 3-8-2020

Revelation 3:1-6; Matthew 13:44

Introduction:

A.  The presence of Biblicists (Biblical Succession) during the Protestant Reformation.  Roman Catholicism named those who disagreed with them Anabaptist or Re-Baptizers. 

1.  These Anabaptists were maligned and hated by both Catholic and Protestant!   Most of the early Anabaptist leaders died in prison or were executed.  The so-called Reformer leaders often gave their voice against the Anabaptist.  Anabaptist people were called radicals and their doctrines were also known as the Radical Reformation.  They were separatists and non-conformist.

2.  The Anabaptists were distinct because of their assertion of the necessity of adult baptism, rejecting the infant baptism practiced by the Roman Catholic Church. They believed that true baptism required a public confession of both sin and faith, which could only be accomplished as an adult exercise of free will.

3.  Another defining characteristic of Anabaptists is their belief in the separation of church and state, and the concept that the church represents the community of saved. 

Hutterites (Germany), Brethern (Germany), Mennonites (Friesland Holland), Albigensian (France), Waldensian (Southern France), Huguenots (France-suffered heavy persecution from Roman Catholics- 1572-Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day-30k to 70k), Puritans (England).

4.  We are not in total agreement with many of these Anabaptist movements because, though they stood against the Roman Catholics and baptized believers only, many of them also had a measure of doctrinal error.

B.  We are not Protestant; we are not Calvinist; we are not Arminian; we are Biblicists. 

Biblicist defined:  adherence to the letter of the Bible.

C.  We do not believe in Baptist succession. 

1.  John the Baptist was not a Baptist and Jesus Christ was not a Baptist because He was baptized by a Baptist.  Baptist Briders push this line of thinking but there is no biblical basis for their teaching.  We believe in Biblical Succession.  That is, that throughout history, God has always had a people who have followed His Word and remained in the Old Paths trodden by their spiritual fathers. 

2.  These Biblicists have always been “few” in number and “few” there be that find it. 

Revelation 3:4-5  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  (5)  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

3.  Why?  Because they are a “treasure” hidden in the field of this world.  They are hidden for two reasons.

a)  Because the Religious Crowd does not want their people to know the truth!  The truth is not found in their denomination, seminaries, or creeds.  Truth is found in the Bible!

b)  Because those who do not want there to be a God are not going about looking for it!

D.  How do you find that treasure?  Matthew 13:44  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field;, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

1.  There Must Be A Definition Of Treasure – “the which” Matthew 6:19-21  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Your Treasure – what is important to you?)

2.  There Must Be A Desire For The Treasure – “when a man”   Matthew 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

3.  There Must Be A Diligent Search For The Treasure – “hath found”  Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

4.  There Must Be A Defense Of The Treasure – “he hideth” – Revelation 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

5.  There Must Be A Determination Of The Treasure – “for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” – Philippians  3:7-11  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  (8)  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  (9)  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  (10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  (11)  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.