On Life Support?

 On life support?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"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.  

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 3:1-6.

Here Jesus called to the church at Sardis to wake up. One commentary I read said they were in a deep “spiritual coma”

Jesus notes that they have a reputation for being alive, when in reality they are dead.

He notes their deeds there service to God is incomplete. Therefor they must repent and do God’s work.

At the same time there are people within Sardis who have not stopped working for God. They have not soiled their clothing. As a result they will receive a conquers reward.

Do you have a reputation for being alive when in fact you know you are spiritually dead?

Is the Church you attend truly alive or on life support?

Please think about it. 

Your wealth

 Your wealth

The book of Revelations record this about the so called lukewarm church,

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22.

As Christians we need to be hot. We need to be on fire for God. 

The church at Laodicea was not. They thought they were but they were not. Jesus states,

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

It appears they thought because they were materially rich they were spiritually rich also. When in fact they were far from it.

There is especially here in North America today a group know as the prosperity doctrine sect. Pastors and evangelist who say God wants you to be materially rich.

They claim if you give to God he will give back to you ten or even a hundred fold This is wrong teaching. God is not a supernatural banker giving super interest on what you give. You should be giving to God's work because you want to. Not with the intention of getting a large return on your investment.

Jesus instructs the church saying,

“‘I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”

True riches for those who love God is not materialistic. It has nothing to do with how big your bank account in this world is. It is spiritual in nature. It is rooted in true faith in God. As Jesus said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 16:19-21.

Please think about it.