Letters to the Church: Revelations 3:1-6

The Church at Sardis


This congregation was at the point of dying out. The Holy Spirit had not
forsaken this congregation. He wanted the saints that even through
their struggles, He was still with them. Jesus wanted to give these saints
the courage to continue to press on in faith and not to grow weary. The
Holy Spirit would continue to uphold this congregation and to breath in
it new life. Through His Holy Spirit, Jesus would revive it's dry bones.
(Ezek. 37:14)

Jesus stills speaks and encourages His Church even today. In this post-
Christian age, there are many struggling Churches that are hurting and
need encouragement from the Lord. In many cases, memberships have fallen,
and finances are not always available to meet the challenges of ministry.
Many Churches have become "dry bones" and need revival. Because of the
struggles, some people have grown discouraged and burned out. Some Churches
struggle on, trying to maintain ministry as best as they can. Others just
give up, and just close their doors. It is difficult for the Church to
minister in a world that is either hostile to, or indifferent to the message
of the Gospel. Nevertheless, the Church has the Lord's Great Commission, and
must be faithful to it. The Lord has always promised that He will forever
abide with His Church.

The Church in this world has never been promised a life of ease. It will
know times of hardship and struggle. But the Church has the Holy Spirit, and
the Lord Jesus, who has promised never to forsake His Church. In the eyes of
the world, the Church might seem weak and upon the brink of death, it is not.
The Church that remains faithful to Christ, has life in abundance. If a
congregation is struggling and seems to be dying, it does not mean that
Jesus has forsaken His own. The Lord tells His people to stand strong,
and to press on in faith and hope.

Jesus knew about the nature of this congregation. Outwardly, this seemed to
be a strong thriving congregation. Jesus was not impressed, nor pleased
with this congregation. He saw the true nature of this congregation, and
He saw it wanting and in need of change. This congregation seemed like they
were really alive, but in truth, they were dead. They might have been doing
good works in the community, and the pastor was well known, but they were
still dead. It is good that a congregation is active in good works, but the
real condition of a congregation is demonstrated by what is preached and
taught. If a congregation is not faithful to the Word, if the pastor is
preaching on everything but the pure Word, that congregation is dead.
A dying church is not a Church that neglects the pure word. A dying
church is a Church that neglects the pure Word.

The Church should speak out on social issues when needed. It should be
affairs of the community when possible. These things should never come
before proclaiming the Word. All that the Church does, flows from the
Gospel. If the Church allows itself to be just concerned with social
action, then it becomes nothing more than a social service agency.
When the preaching of the Word and the administration of the
Sacraments are neglected, then the Church is wanting in the Lord's
eyes. What is a dead Church? Is it a place where are few members?
A dead Church is a Church where there no pure preaching of the Word.
If a Church is more concerned about being "politically correct" then
being "biblically correct," then that is a dead Church.

Jesus urged this congregation to wake up. He urged them to remember what
they had recieved and heard. They had lost their focus and they needed
to strengthen what had been given to them. They needed to have a change
of attitude and to remember that they were called to preach the Gospel.
Jesus wanted them to repent, and focus their efforts upon preaching the
Gospel. This congregation needed stern words from the Lord. They had
been more concerned about social ministry rather than Gospel ministry.

If this congregation refused to repent, there would be dire consequences.
They would have to face the judgement of Jesus. He warned them that He
would come like a "thief in the night." Since we do not know when Jesus
will come again, we cannot ignore His warnings and call to repentance.
Jesus does keep a close eye on His Church. He governs His Church, and
He corrects the Church when it drifts into error.

Jesus said that there were some in the congregation who had remained faithful.
Those who had remained faithful had not defiled themselves with unbelief and
false doctrine. They had remained true to their Lord, and to their confession.
The Lord expects the same of the Church today. The Church should remain
faithful to the Lord and true to it's confession. It should in no way defile
itself with false teachings, but always remain to Him, who has the book of life.