Issue 822 – The Work is not Finished – Seven Churches – Part 9 – August 11, 2022
This morning we continue our journey around the ancient Roman postal route to the church in Sardis. Ancient Sardis stood at the foot of Mount Tmolous, where the modern-day town of Sart, Turkiye, is located.
Through John, Jesus gives his rating of this church.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:1-6
The Sardisian church has a reputation for being alive, which I am confident they enjoyed. After all, what believer doesn’t want to be a part of a church known for the things of God happening there? To their undoubted shock, the verdict comes in as a “dead church.”
The good news is that the church’s work is not yet complete, and the Lord gives them a chance to repent and return to life. We don’t know what they haven’t finished; perhaps they don’t know either. It could be as simple as them keeping on in the faith, or maybe the Lord has some incredible work for them. Either way, He is giving them a last chance.
How much time does He give them? We are not told, but we know He will return suddenly, without warning, like a thief in the night. That same descriptor fits well with the way Jesus told us He would come back for His church.
The church in Sardis is long gone, so while the descriptions are similar, we know that Jesus wasn’t speaking to them of His return. He came when they were not prepared. It is a warning we need to heed. He will return again suddenly. It might be as you read this, or next year or ten thousand years from now. It will be the right time whenever it happens, and it will come without warning.
There were still some people keeping their faith in the Sardisian church. Many dying churches resemble Sardis. A few solid believers continue to toil away for God’s glory, surrounded by people who attend out of duty or for social reasons and not serving the Lord.
They will walk with the Lord “because they are worthy.” They haven’t earned the right; they are worthy because they have trusted Christ and have his righteousness imputed to them. None of us is worthy outside of the work of Jesus.
There is a glorious promise for those dressed in white, made righteous through Christ. That promise appears in one way or another in all seven letters.
The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Who is it that conquers?
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:1-5
God is not finished with us yet. He has more for us to do. We can rejoice that He is faithful and promises to keep us.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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