To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. Revelation 3:1-4
Sometimes, because I am older, I can’t hear my iPhone buzzing. That’s embarrassing! Have you ever been asleep or unconscious, only to wake up groggy and not sure what was happening around you? Sometimes the church is that way. She is asleep (almost dead). A church that had good deeds in the past, but no longer fulfills the purpose for its founding (eg. the great commission: to go, make disciples)… is dead! She exists in ‘name only’. That church is incomplete, to say the least. To the angel of the church in Sardis, Jesus says “wake up!” or else I will come and take away what little is left. But, if you repent, by remembering what you received and heard (the great commission)… you will walk with Me in purity and honor having fulfilled your calling. Let’s make sure we do that as people and a church. Its time to wakey-wake up!
Where are the people that I am making into faithful followers of Jesus? Am I living in such a way that the saving message of forgiveness of God is on display for all to see?
God, as this day begins- use me, use my home church and the other Christ centered, Bible believing, churches to fulfill our purpose and save the world around us. Wake us up! The alarm is buzzing. I hear it.
