OUTLINE:

The Church At Sardis
It had a lifeless profession. It enjoyed a reputation, but it wasn't genuine; rather, it was religious like so many churches today are. Many churches are deemed "acceptable" because they look the part, but they are lacking the supernatural substance.

Rev 3:2
Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die [remember, the Lord is speaking to an entire church, not an individual], for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

Obedience
What begins at salvation, proper, with the command to obey the Gospel, continues throughout our lives as we are commanded to obey the Word (FYI - the same Holy Spirit that convicts us at salvation is the same One who convicts us as believers).

“If you love Me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15)
“Obedience of faith,” “humility,” and “meekness” all speak to the same thing - submission to the lordship of Christ. My friends, this is what love looks like (1Jn 5:3).

1Jn 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

"And his commandments are not burdensome."
We love our Lord so much that obedience becomes a privilege, not a chore.

To Paul, obedience was the key to sanctification.

When We’re Obedient, We’re Confident
Anyone or anything that incites us to disobedience ought to be categorically thrown out of our lives! (cp Mk 9:43-48)

Eph 5:15-16
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

The Two Good Sides of Obedience
Blessings that accompany obedience (e.g. Gal 5:22-23)
Riddance of the fruit of disobedience (e.g. Gal 5:18-21)