Worth Repeating - October 6, 2017

Revelation 3: 1 “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (NIV)

Comfortable buildings and state-of-the-art technology may enhance the church’s ministry, but they can’t make up for spiritual shallowness.*

When I was a very small child, I remember an occasion at my grandparents’ place when someone killed a chicken. I don’t recall witnessing the actual murderous deed – my only memory is of the poor bird’s head, separated from its body, squawking furiously. Yes, that head was noisy and lively but it was really, really dead. 

The words of this verse are addressed to the church in Sardis, but they could apply to many churches anywhere today. Fast-growing congregations which appear to be alive may just be a squawking chicken head – separated from the body and the source of life. This verse could describe individuals as well – Christians who lead and influence others, hiding their own out-of-control lives behind their ability to portray the smooth public image. Facades such as these don’t last. The chicken head eventually falls silent because it is truly dead. 

Is there hope for a dead church or a shallow Christian? John relays some encouragement to the church at Sardis – words that might help to reanimate others in the same condition. 

· “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die.” (verse 2) 

· “Remember . . . what you have received and heard; obey it and repent.” (verse 3) 

Once that chicken and its head were separated, nothing was going to bring life back to it, but churches and people are not chickens. With them, signs of spiritual life may be proof of life. A dead church or an exposed phony may still have something genuine to build upon. John says to strengthen that solid foundation before it dies: look for the biblical principles hidden among the superficial attractions; remember and obey the gospel; repent. Perform some spiritual CPR. It’s not too late!

We all remember “faith without works is dead,” but we haven’t always acknowledged that activity by itself doesn’t prove life.*