August 1 Wake Up

Revelation 3:1-2 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.”
 
Once the city of Sardis was a strategic and wealthy city. It was the capital of the vast country of Persia. Gold and silver coins were minted there. Vast amounts of goods were traded in Sardis’ shops and ports. Also, Sardis was safe. High natural cliffs from the sea gave Sardis a strong defense.
    But Sardis’ leaders “fell asleep”. Within the high cliffs was one unguarded, seemingly hidden, pathway to enter the city. Watchmen paid no attention to this path. But two times attentive enemy soldiers found the way to enter Sardis to open its gates to invasion. Changing rulers removed Sardis’ wealth and security. Then an earthquake leveled the city in 17 A.D. Sardis was barely a functioning town when the Lord spoke to the Sardis church. 
    Sadly, the Sardis church reflected the city’s history. Founded on the unassailable Word of God, the church was now barely functioning. Leaders had “fallen asleep” against false teaching. They allowed the enemy of lies to walk into the church to unlock the gates to false teachings. Their work lacked spiritual power and focus. Sardis preferred to be a “good” church in the world, forgetting to be God’s church in God’s kingdom.
    A church’s purpose easily changes, doesn’t it? We have hearts to help people. But loving hearts become complacent routine when we forget it’s the Lord’s work. We might be excited to serve at a food pantry or donate to supply school materials for children. But do we remember why we do the work?
    Remember, the church is formed to preach the gospel. It is not a service organization for the purpose to serve. The church serves to point people to God, so they will know him, obey him and receive his salvation. Everything we do must be to proclaim, “Jesus saves.” and to defend our Lord against the world.
    Is your church an organization where “everyone’s friendly”? Or is your church a display of Jesus’ true, strong church? Are you guarding the gateways against lies? Do you hold fast to secure the Bible’s truth? Is your church dedicated to love God and love one another with true teaching? Are you truly encouraging people to confession, repentance, and cross-bearing? Are we eager to teach of sin and call people to salvation?
    Do your ears hear Jesus’ love to reveal his truth to you? How do you know what is true? Let’s see next how Jesus teaches us to be his alert, faithful church.
 
Prayer: I pray, Jesus, I remain faithful to only your word, to remember you are Lord of your church. Amen.