Buried deep within the country of Turkey, you will find relics of an old city, heralding memories of splendor and glory. Heaps of ruins, a few buildings, and dry desert wastelands, now occupy the place scripture refers to as, Sardis. The once proud capital of Lydia, and place known for opulent monarchs and vast wealth, is nothing more than a dusty memorial. As you study its history, you will envision ancient glory that has been forever etched into history — teaching us invaluable lessons in this life. The story of Sardis was so important, that Jesus Christ sent a warning to this church, which has echoed down the corridors of time.

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:1-3 (KJV)

This was a most strong of rebukes from the Lord, as He began to shine a light revealing their true spiritual state. A name indeed; known around the world by its luxurious region, the city of Sardis had a reputation for softness and ease. It was known in the days of John as a place of apathy and immorality. Williams Barclay writes, “The great characteristic of Sardis was that, even on pagan lips, Sardis was a name of contempt. Its people were notoriously loose-living, notoriously pleasure-and luxury loving. Sardis was a city of the decadence.”

Geographically, it was built on a strong hill projecting steep flanks, from the northern side of Mt. Tmolus. From three sides, it was deemed inaccessible, and was considered to be a sure citadel for the people of Sardis. The idea of this strong fortress however, created a most devastating careless proclivity. History records, King Cyrus came to Sardis, and found the position of the city ideally suited for defense. In his desire for world dominance, he surrounded all of Sardis, and waited for an opportunity to strike. In a moment of fate, one of his men noticed a Lydian soldier had dropped his helmet down one of the cliff walls. He watched as the soldier climbed down a hidden trail to recover his helmet, thus giving Cyrus what he needed. Without resistance, they easily climbed the cliffs, came to the actual city walls and found them unguarded. The soldiers of Sardis were so confident in the natural defenses, they felt no need to keep a diligent watch, so the city was easily conquered. Baffling to the mind, the same thing happened almost 200 years later when Antiochus attacked and conquered the overconfident city that failed to set a watch.

In studying Sardis months ago, my mind immediately went to the infamous scene when Jesus came upon his disciples sleeping at Gethsemane —

“And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.” Matthew 26:40-41 (KJV)

It is here at this moment, when Judas Iscariot leads an army of men to arrest Jesus, and His slumbering disciples failed to understand the severity of the hour. They were so confident in themselves, they felt no need to watch and pray. Thus, as prophecy unfolded, His sheep were scattered as the Great Shepherd was smitten.

If there is one temptation all men face, it is overconfidence in our own flesh. We have a problem with relying on our own strengths and abilities. It is us men who refuse to stop for directions, because dare we appear incompetent. It’s men who usually skip the instructions, to subdue the minuscule deed. We don’t like to admit it, but a weakness we face is paradoxically our own strength.

Notice when Jesus rebuked His disciples for sleeping, He called Peter by name. Ordained to be “The Stone,” Peter was expected to lead the way. Yet, there was a cataclysmic struggle going on between the strong man, and the man God called him to be. Truth speaking, there is a Simon Barjona in all of us. He represents that raw clay sitting on the potters table, with clumps of hardened substance, waiting to be put to the wheel.

Listen to the strong man in his Sardis like spirit —

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Matthew 26:31-35 (KJV)

Peter boldly proclaimed, I’m willing to go all the way with you Lord, and in Peter’s mind, he was speaking truth. This brash fisherman was a man’s man — in today’s society, he would be considered the alpha male who asserts his dominion. Yet, Peter had a major problem in understanding the kingdom of God. The way up is down, and true strength is realizing your own weakness — It is an undeniable paradox for the Christian man.

Peter could toil all night fishing, yet he couldn’t stay up one hour to pray. He had the reputation like Sardis, but when the purging process began, it showed just how weak he truly was. I believe this is why Jesus allowed him to be sifted by Satan. He needed the chaff of overconfidence to be shaken out of his life. His display of machismo had to be replaced with true strength found only in the Lord. Satan desires to enslave every strong man, and make him weak; but the Lord, desires to liberate the weak man and make him strong!

In the midst of World War II, it was Winston Churchill who said, “next to cowardice and treachery, overconfidence leading to neglect and slothfulness, is the worst of wartime crimes.” The same can be said in the life of every Christian man — we are in a battle everyday for our soul; and a most critical of error, is to be found sleeping, when we ought to be watching and praying!

Truly, overconfidence in self will always lead us down the path of neglect. We are under constant attack by the forces of hell, and must ever be on our guard. Barclay writes, no commandment appears more frequently in the New Testament, than to set a watch.” This is why the Lord told the Church in Sardis, “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Watchfulness is confirmedly the most essential element of Christian living.

I don’t believe we conquer temptation or win spiritual battles, as they occur: It is what we do prior, that determines victory or defeat. Every Christian man has his own battle to fight in Gethsemane— In essence, Calvary was conquered at Gethsemane, because The Lord won the battle through prayer. We too must win our battles through prayer. It is a matter of life and death for every man. This is where we place a sentinel on our heart, and become sober minded to the things of God. The Simon Barjona in each of us, must be placed upon the altar, and we must pick up our spiritual armor if we’re going to win this war. Years later, Peter under the unction of the Holy Ghost, left us with powerful truths for every man to live by —

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:13 (KJV)

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter 4:7 (KJV)

The end is most assuredly near. Hell continues to unleash an all out assault against every God fearing man, attempting to usurp our position in Christ. May the Lord give us the strength and wisdom in this most critical hour we face. Our families need us to be the men God has called us to be! May we be found watching and praying, all the days of our life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.