Jump Start # 1665

Revelation 3:1 “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.’”

The book of Revelation introduces us to seven churches. Those who have studied Revelation, recognize that there are some common threads found in all seven of these letters. There is a description of Christ. There is an awareness of the reality of what is going on. There are compliments for the things done right. There is a spiritual rebuke towards the things that are not right. There is a plea to overcome, repent and a promise of eternal fellowship for those who are faithful.

Our verse today begins the thoughts addressed to Sardis. They had a name that they were alive, but they were dead. What they were and what people perceived them to be were not the same. They had an image, but the reality didn’t match the image. I know, says the Lord. I know, but you are dead.

Not only did the Lord know this, but now all the other six congregations knew that. Ephesus now knew this. Philadelphia now knew. Laodicea knew. Today, we know. I find this thought interesting. We tend to only talk about the good things being done in a congregation and often we stand behind Sardis in holding up an image that may not be true. “How are things going,” one Christian asks another Christian. This is a common opening line used among preachers. “How are things where you are at?” Unless the preacher is wanting advice or is fed up and wanting to leave, the answer is always positive and glowing. “Great,” is the answer. I find it interesting that God allowed the other congregations in Revelation and everyone today to know the inner workings of each of these seven churches. We don’t do that today. We’d never do that today. We thrive on our independence and sheltering what is going on under the surface. We’d never let others know that among the eldership, there is tension and some who are ready to drop out. We’d never reveal that the preacher left because he was discouraged or dissatisfied. I don’t think God intended for the revelation of these seven churches to be a standard for churches today. There is no reason nor platform to do this and as in the case of Sardis, how we see things and even report them, may not be how God sees things.

All of this brings us to another important thought. How is it that the people in Sardis were blind to their own situation? The same could be said about Ephesus or Laodicea. It’s one thing to play this game of keeping a great image before others, a great showroom but nothing in the warehouse, concept. But it seems that they believed this themselves. Laodicea really believed that they did not need anything. Sardis really believed that they were alive. How is it that those in a dead church can think that they are alive?

This is concerning, because it forces us to wonder about where we worship and even about ourselves. Are we worse off than we think? Have we fooled ourselves? Have we believed a lie about our faithfulness? Is it possible for us to be dead, yet believe that we are alive? Could we have left our first love and not realize it?

The shocking truths about these letters to the seven churches is that so many of these congregations seemed to have deceived themselves. They didn’t know nor did they get it.

So, how is it that a dead church believes that it is still alive? We understand that the makeup of these congregations is simply a reflection of the members. Sardis was dead because the members were dead. Ephesus had left their first love because the members had left their first love. Dead Christians who believe that they are alive—that’s the situation in Sardis.

This happens because:

• Superficial worship keeps them doctrinally pure but it does nothing for the heart and soul. They sing, but they don’t think about what they sang. They bow their heads but they don’t listen to the prayer and the prayer that is uttered, is the standard, same safe things that are always prayed. The sermon is true to the book, but it doesn’t move the people. Worship gets checked off, but the faith remains shallow, empty and does little for the people.

• There is little practice of their faith going on. Dead things don’t show signs of activity. A dead tree doesn’t grow. A dead animal doesn’t move. Dead faith doesn’t engage in good deeds. It lives to itself and nothing more. Instead of shinning the light, the light has been turned off. Instead in engaging in good deeds, the person stays home and just watches TV. Instead of meaningful discussions about spirituality, the talk is shallow and surrounds things that really do not matter.

• Faith isn’t lived. Faith is action. Faith does things. In dead churches, as well as in dead Christians, the faith simply isn’t there. There is no joy in the heart. There is no hope that they are walking in. There is no peace in their lives. Under the surface, the lives of dead Christians and the lives of someone who is not a Christian are pretty much the same. Worry, fear, materialism, stress dominate their hearts. The dead faith Christians fail to grasp that God is upon the throne. They fail to see that in Christ they can do all things. They don’t use prayer. They don’t turn to Scriptures. Like the world, they are consumed with thoughts about money and stuff. They don’t act any different from the guy who doesn’t know the Lord. The word of Christ doesn’t dwell in the heart of the dead Christian. He isn’t seeking the things above. His mind isn’t dwelling upon the things that are pure, honest and right. He is still stuck on himself. He doesn’t see the big picture of the kingdom of God.

Dead, even though they thought that they were alive. They didn’t see themselves as God saw them. That’s a place that we never want to be. How does one keep that from happening? Keep yourself in the word. Look at the picture God gives us of a sound or healthy Christian and see if you match. Grow. Improve. Engage. Abound in the work. Never be satisfied. Never be content where you are. Push yourself, like an athlete. Plug in to the Lord. Talk about the church. Talk about your spiritual goals. Pray often. Moving water does not stagnate. It’s the water that is just standing there that turns ugly. The same is true of our faith.

Dead but they didn’t know it. Dead but they thought they were alive. Dead but they thought they were ok. It happened then, and it can happen today. Keep yourself alive by doing what “live” Christians do. Don’t just go to church, worship. Don’t just bow your head, pray. Don’t just mumble words from a song, sing from your heart. Learn from sermons. Take notes. See yourself in the passage. Move closer to the cross. Live your faith. Walk by faith. Trust in the Lord.

I know, said the Lord. May we know as well.

Roger