Jump Start # 1568

Revelation 3:4 “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.”

Last evening, my wife and our dear friends Bob and Mary went to see the movie Risen. It was well done. If you haven’t seen it, hurry, it’s on the way out of theatres. There is a scene in which the Roman officer is trying to find the missing body of Jesus. He believes if he can find the disciples then he’ll be able to locate the body and stop the rumors of the resurrection and quiet Pilate down. Bartholomew is found and brought before the Roman. He is threatened with crucifixion if he does not reveal where the followers of Jesus are. Smiling, he whispers in the officer’s ear, “They’re everywhere!”

They’re everywhere! How true that is. Our verse today comes from the sad church at Sardis. That church had problems. They had not completed what they should have. They were told to waken up. They were declared dead by the Lord. However, in such an awful spiritual mess, comes our verse. There were some who were doing what was right. I’ve often thought about those “faithful few” at Sardis. It must have been very discouraging for them. Can you imagine worshipping with folks whose faith is dead. Not only are you trying to keep things alive, but you are trying to do what is right and grow your part of the kingdom. You would have little help. You would be fighting an uphill battle. How easy it would be to just quit. But they didn’t. How easy it would be to think no one cares. But that’s not the case. Part of the Revelation story was that this letter was to be circulated among all seven churches of Asia. Each church would read about the others. The faithful at Sardis would learn about the faithful at Philadelphia. The few at Sardis were not alone. There were others, all over the place that were trying to do what the Lord said. As in the movie, the believers are “everywhere!”

That is an important lesson for us. Some of our readers are in discouraging places. The numbers are small. The leadership is lacking. They are holding on, but they continue to walk with the Lord. All over this great big world are believers. It’s not as Disney says, “It’s a small world,” but rather, ‘it’s a big family.’ When one realizes this, it encourages them and motivates them to keep walking with the Lord. Knowing that there were others, even in cities not that far away from Sardis, would have given the faithful hope that they needed.

Let me share just a few on my list. This could easily be my largest Jump Start of all time, if I went through all the names. But here’s some highlights for you.

• Sweet Dorothy in Paoli who has encouragement built in her DNA
• David from Alabama. He’s a new reader and a new friend. He knows how to throw logs in the fireplace of my heart.
• There is Jay who is always reading and quoting what I write. He is a fan of what I do, but I am a fan of him.
• My preaching friends: Don, Rickie, Kenny, Dee, L.A. My new Texas friend, Leon. I am amazed to be numbered with them. Talent. Faithful. Powerful. Hard working. And friends to the core.
• My kids—all four of them walking with the Lord. All four of their mates are doing the same. On any given Sunday, you’ll might find all three of my sons in the pulpits in three different states. Two of them would be leading singing and one of them preaching. Their mates are all teachers of the Bible and they are busy raising those little families to know the Lord.
• My beloved wife who has an amazing Bible knowledge. She asks questions that I have a hard time answering. She’s amazing.
• My sweet dad, who is rounding third base and heading home. He’s in his nineties and has walked a long, long time with Jesus. He still hears me preach when he can and he always says, “I’m proud of you.” That  brings a tear to my eyes.
• There is Windy from my congregation. A great mom who courageously kicked cancer in the teeth. She is one of my heroes.
• There is Jim, who always wants to see what crazy socks I’m wearing. Solid, dependable and always in my corner.
• There is Dallas, who is always digging and digging in the Bible. He is one who truly lowers the nets.
• I think of my firefighting friend, Josh. Young, strong, faithful. A believer.
• I could just list our church directory. It’s made up of so many incredible people. Near the top would be our six shepherds whose bright eyes light up when they get talking about God’s people and how they want to help them.

When we sing the song, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one,” these are the kinds of blessings that come to my mind. Encouragers. Believers. Those who love the Lord and put a smile on your heart. These are the ones who will show up at hospitals. They bring food to a mourning family. They are in the audience with hearts that want to praise the Lord. They do what they can, where they can.

Satan wants us to be discouraged. He wants us to think we are drying up and withering away. He wants us to believe that there are so few of us that we will never make a difference in the world. Sardis had word about Philadelphia, the church which God never told to repent. A church that was doing what was right. Ephesus would have learned about Philadelphia. Laodicea would have learned about Philadelphia.

Have you thought about those in your life who are believers. They are “everywhere!” Have you given thought to folks all over this world who are doing right. Moms and dads who are raising up a righteous family. Young teenagers who fill the front roll of church. Those who go out of their way to make the Bible alive. Those who have families in their homes. Those who are busy inviting their friends to services. Those young passionate preachers who are pouring their hearts out week after week. Those godly men who shepherd the sheep among them. All over the place, everywhere are godly men and women who walk with the Lord.

Don’t be discouraged. Don’t think “no one cares.” Don’t fall into the trap of believing that there are so few that are doing right. Open your eyes. Look around. Believers are “everywhere!” It’s amazing to be a part of them. Do what you can where you are. Turn on the lights spiritually. So no one does hospitality, you can and will. So no one goes out of their way, you will and can. You, by the very things you do, may be on the list of someone like me, who sees what you are doing and because of that, it sends hope and encouragement to our hearts. Above all, God notices. Even a cup of cold water that is given to another is noticed by Heaven.

Lift your head up. Don’t let Satan get the best of you. Don’t quit. You are part of a big family. Believers are everywhere! You be one of them!

Roger