A few simple but pointed words are sufficient to expose the spiritual bankruptcy at Sardis, yet they turn out to be as devastating as the earthquake of 17 a.d. The church in Sardis had acquired a reputation in Asia Minor as a superlative congregation. To all external appearances, as far as what could be seen and heard, Sardis was a progressive church, first among its sister congregations to initiate a new program, full of vitality, overflowing with zeal, no doubt quite large. As Stott says,