Revelation 3:1 And to the Angel of the church in Sardis write, These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”
The letter to the church in Sardis starts right out with confrontation that has to do with its name. Please remember that in Biblical times, names corresponded with the condition, position, or occupation of the person or place.
In this case, Sardis was located in a strategic place on the Patolus River at the foot of Mount Tmolus. Sardis was the capital city of Lydia in Asia Minor. The name Sardis actually means Prince of Joy. The city name would indicate that the people were happy because they were without want or need due to the fact that they were the economic and commercial hub of that area.
When the church was planted, it was given the same name as the city where it was located, Sardis. Like the city, it appeared to be alive and thriving but we all know that the outward appearance can be deceiving. The church in Sardis was actually not alive, thriving, and full of joy as its name would indicate. It was in fact, spiritually dead and Jesus addressed this in His first statement in His letter to the Pastor there.
The church in Sardis was fake. Its name implied life but the people inside were dead. It can be compared to an artificial plant. It looks like a living plant and can be mistaken for such, but a closer look determines it to have no life at all. It never grows; only withers away.
This was the condition of the church in Sardis and unfortunately, it is the condition of many churches today. Life is found in the Spirit of God. If the Holy Spirit is not present and active in a church, it is said to be spiritually dead. The people come and go but find no real ministry because the Holy Spirit is not in operation.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is welcome we find the Fruit of the Spirit and the Freedom to worship. The Apostle Paul planted many (if not most) of the original churches. He kept informed of their growth and condition over the years and wrote to them to help and guide them into Righteousness. He wrote to the Church in Corinth, Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)To the Church in Galatia, Paul wrote But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
A church that is alive in Christ will welcome and allow the Holy Spirit of God to operate as He wishes. They will create an atmosphere where the Spirit of the Lord can move freely among them and bring to the people what they need.
The name on a church sign means nothing. It’s what goes on inside that counts. It can look like a church on the outside but is Jesus Christ at the head? Is His Name lifted up by the people who attend there? Is the Fruit of the Spirit in abundance? Do the people inside have the freedom to worship as the Holy Spirit moves on them?
Remember these Words of Jesus to the church in Sardis: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” (Revelation 3:1) Also remember, YOU are the Church. Each one of us is the Church. What does it look like behind your doors?
Ask the Lord to fill you with the Holy Spirit so you can be alive in Him. We don’t want to be a fake church. We don’t want to be like an artificial plant that looks real on the outside but inside, there is no life. We want to be overflowing with the Fruit of the Spirit of God, alive and thriving in the Lord Jesus Christ!
The infilling of the Holy Spirit will…...….turn the tide ……….in your life.
Alive in the Spirit! Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
