Sardis – Dead or alive?
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.” – Revelation 3:1-2. NLT
From this testimony of Jesus, it is clear that a church can have a great name and yet die. Just because a church was faithful in times past doesn’t mean it will always be faithful. God can approve of a religious movement at one point in time and yet it can lose its way.
There is an interesting example in Biblical times. John the Baptist was the greatest of the prophets and a faithful man. He baptized Jesus when He came and introduced his own disciples to Him. There is no question that God approved of his ministry. Jesus even considered him to be a fulfilment of prophecy. John was the Elijah that was to come, according to Malachi (Matt 11:11-14; Luke 1:13-17, cf. Mal 4:5-6).
But scholars have noticed that John the Baptist is treated a bit differently in the Gospel of John than he is in Matthew, Mark and Luke. In Matthew, Mark and Luke John is the exalted prophet who plays the role of Elijah in preparing the way for the Messiah. But in the later Gospel of John, John the Baptist is constantly lowering himself in comparison with Jesus. Speaking of Jesus John says things like, “He must increase but I must decrease” (John 3:30), and “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me” (John 1:30).
Why does the Gospel of John highlight John’s self-deprecating statements? Because there is evidence that many of the followers of John the Baptist failed to follow Jesus. The followers of the Baptist considered John greater than Jesus because in the Jewish theology of the time earlier is better. The one who comes first is the greatest. So towards the end of the first century there were a number of people still following the Baptist. The author of the Fourth Gospel challenges them to move on and follow Jesus all the way. To continue to “follow” the Baptist was NOT to follow the Baptist. It was to be part of a religious movement that had served its purpose and was now outmoded from God’s point of view.
It is a dangerous thing to follow a religious tradition simply because we have always done so or because our parents did so. Sometimes movements fall back or God moves on. We are each responsible to search out God’s ways for ourselves, we cannot trust in the findings of our spiritual forebears.
Do you sometimes feel that something is wrong with your Christian walk. Devotions are not connecting, prayer is ritual, spiritual joy has waned – just going through the motions. Unfortunately, our emotions are like the weather – changeable. Our righteousness is like the moon, always waxing and waning, at its best full of holes, but only shining brightly when facing the sun (Son). I remember one of my theology lecturers many years ago saying, “If you are not having a struggle you are probably not having a Christian experience.”
We call it spiritual burnout. Jesus called it “having a name that you are alive, yet you are dead.” Sometimes burnout is a sign that we are over-committed. Other times it is a sign that we have allowed people to move us away from our divine purpose. We are busy, but the things that really matter aren’t getting done.
Sardis had a great name, it had “star status” and yet Jesus thought it was dead. What happened to Sardis is a threat to every church and to every Christian. Many are the Christians whose hearts are in the right place, but they have no delight in the faith and find it difficult to serve God. What do you do when you sense that the things of Christ are not as exciting to you as they once were? I have found the following to be helpful.
1) A willingness to change. If you don’t feel willing to change, let God know that you are willing to be made willing (John 7:17). Many times, I feel spiritually divided: 30% of me wants to serve God with all my heart and 70% of me is tired and doesn’t feel like it right now. If you put what you have on the altar, He can grow your commitment into a firm decision.
2) Make a radical firm decision. Jesus used the strong word, “Repent!” You may have to take decisive action.
3) Go back to the place where you last saw the light. Keep a journal and write down the high points of your spiritual life. When things are not going so well you can go back to the journal and be encouraged. The best devotional book you’ll ever read is the one you write yourself. Psalms was David’s journal!
4) Develop a sense of eschatological accountability. Jesus is returning and will ask all of us to give an account of our lives. When we realize the value of every thought and action in the light of eternity, we will be motivated to move with decisive action.
Pray for the rekindling of the Spirit in your life.
Jesus give me a rekindling of the holy Spirit