Revelation 3:1 KJV And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Today is Sunday, church going day. It has been a blessed week, wonderful morning and I feel great. I can’t wait to hear beautiful music that gives me goosebumps and a beautiful sermon so I leave feeling beautiful about myself. Everything went normal until the preacher steps up to the pulpit to preach because he seemed so nervous. It was like he hadn’t preached every day for years. He put his paper on the pulpit and began to read, not his words, but words from the mouth of God given to the Apostle John. That letter changed everything for me.
Imagine you’re hearing this from the pulpit of your church, that all your work, activity, and busyness that is impressive to the outside world means nothing but death to God.
- Would you hear and leave permanently?
- Would you hear, leave the church and forget?
- Would you take Jesus at His word and follow His command of repentance if your clothes are soiled with the ways of the world?
- Would you examine your heart and fruit to make sure you are walking with Christ to be known as an overcomer?
We have lost the understanding that the church belongs to Christ, and Christ judges what is acceptable, not people.
What does Jesus command of His church?
Action
1. Wake up – 1127 gregoreuo-literally “stay awake;” (figuratively) be vigilant (responsible, watchful).
2. strengthen– 4741/sterizo (“make stable, fixed) relates to God inbirthing faith (“divine persuasion”, “4102/pistis) so believers “withstand because divinely supported” – “remaining fixed” (Immovable) in the face of resistance because stable (secured).
3. remember and keep – keep, 5083 (tereo) is also used for the duty of all believers to carry through what the Lord births in them through faith
4. Repent– 3340- metanoeo (from 3326/meta, “changed after being with: and 3539/noieo, “think”)- properly, “think differently after,” “after a change of mind,” to repent (literally), “think differently afterwards”).
ALL DEFINITIONS ARE FROM HELPS Word-studies
What does this mean?
It means those who have heard the good news and receive Jesus Christ into their heart think differently about God and them self. Once Christ is received we are to be in continuous motion to allow the word of God to change our thinking, ideals, and attitudes so we agree with His (Romans 12:1-2) while our faith remains fixed and stable on Him (Psalm 91:1-2). The question is, do you know about these letters, are you or your church being described?
Jesus does not live in a building, He lives in us, we are the church, meaning Jesus sees, hears, and knows every hidden motive in our heart. Jesus promises He will return to those who do not repent and He will come like a thief which is depicted as judgment in scripture. But on the outside this church was under no persecution of any kind because of its acceptance by the world thinking they were really doing something not offending anyone.
Tolerance of sin in the church is not new. Watering down the gospel of God and preaching social justice and works is not new either. Jesus says, for those who separate themselves from the ways of this world and are so associated with Me they are hated because of My name (John 15:17-25), I bear good news of a promise for the future.
Revelation 3:4 KJV Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. “Yet even there in Sardis some haven’t soiled their garments with the world’s filth; they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 Everyone who conquers will be clothed in white, and I will not erase his name from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that he is mine.
Examine yourself carefully, and make sure your clothing is not covered in the filth of this world. We all fall and fail, but that is not the issue, the issue is; do you repent, get back up, learn, change, grow in the Lord, and have an even deeper longing to know Him more. Will Jesus confess your name before His Father and the angels, or will He come as a thief in the night?
