Saturday, 4th November 2023
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: THE PATMOS LETTERS: WAKE UP
THEME SCRIPTURE: “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.”– Revelation 3:2
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- What does it mean to have a reputation of being alive but dead?
In recent years, there’s been a depressing phenomenon spreading across Europe. The Christian faith in Europe has nosedived such that it’s big churches are being turned into hotels, breweries, dance clubs or discos, restaurants, and other cultural hotspots. The co-founder of the Maniak Padoue Climbing Club (formerly St Anthony of Padua Church in Brussels) shared that the club has retained the altar as a poignant reminder of its past. How did the continent that nurtured Christianity for two millennia get here? Obviously, they abandoned belief in the Holy Scriptures; they took Jesus Christ from their schools, pulpits, and homes.
Europe’s churches became merely socially relevant for some time while practicing a dead orthodoxy, but they died eventually.
The letter to the church in Sardis is a very disturbing one. Jesus begins describing Himself as the one “…who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars (Rev 3:1).” This is a reminder that as long as He remains the Head of the Church, He has the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This implies that every Church must have the life of God in her. What follows is frightening “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” The Church in Sardis had no praise for their existence but a rebuke. They existed in name, but they were spiritually dead.
Their carnality had consumed them to such an extent that they were unresponsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus warns them to “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 (Rev 3:2).” The cause of their declension or deadness was their failure to be vigilant or watchful. Jesus calls them to be watchful against everything sinful or carnal and to be alive to godliness. A call to be vigilant by not accepting unconverted souls into leadership and avoiding any dead orthodoxy (reducing their service to God to mere rituals without a deep connection with God Himself).
Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, the Christian community in Sardis had lowered their guard, allowing the world to significantly infiltrate their worship.
They adhered to a well-rehearsed structure of worship that lacked a genuine, intimate connection with God. Non-believers assumed leadership roles, dictating the direction of the church. The message to the Christians in Sardis serves as a reminder to remain vigilant, guarding against the infiltration of sin wherever we find ourselves. It also emphasizes the necessity of maintaining a clear focus on knowing Christ Jesus, unobscured by traditions devoid of the Holy Spirit. May God bless you as you steadfastly remain vigilant for Christ Jesus. Amen.
FURTHER READING – Revelation 3:1-6
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How would you ensure that Christianity around you is alive with the power of God?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to remain watchful against sin and to live by Your Holy Spirit daily in Christ Jesus so my works of service will be pleasing to You, Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
2 Chronicles 33; Hosea 1; Acts 14; Acts 15
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