The Church in Sardis - Pt. 1

 

[Jesus said] “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” (Revelation 3:1-6 ESV).

 

In his letter to the church in Sardis, Jesus aims to awaken sleepy believers. It is a very contemporary message. In fact, it could apply to many of our modern churches in Aerica. This would not be a flattering letter to any church community, especially for one that had “a reputation of being alive.” Churches often allow themselves to be lulled into believing that all is well when the Word of God is preached with power and skill, the ordinances are observed, church programs are filled with participants, and budgets are met. By all appearances, these activities speak of a church’s health and vitality.

 

But Jesus makes a bold statement to churches in this mindset: “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead!” This is a shocking revelation! Instead of just having a reputation for being alive, the church community must put into practice what they have received and heard (cf. Revelation 1:3).

 

Faithfulness in receiving God’s Word, celebrating with worship, and letting these gifts of God shape how we live is what a living church looks like. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice,” Jesus said at the end of his Sermon on the Mount, “is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). Complacency produces a sense of death in a church. We should do more than merely look alive. Let’s make sure we listen and obey.