Day 5 - Alive again!

Revelation 3:1-3

"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. "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent…

The church of Sardis is the fifth church in the book of Revelation. Jesus gets right to the point regarding this congregation. Their reputation gave the impression that they were alive and well, but Jesus said that they were dead. Their actions did not support the reputation that they portrayed. We find in the New Testament that Jesus brought this to the attention of the Scribes and Pharisees who were religious leaders.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead [men's] bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” – Matthew 23:27-28

It is so easy to get by on reputation. We can appear to be a worshiper of God and in front of people do all the right things; however, outside of the church and away from other Christian we live differently. Listen, God knows our motives. He sees right through us. He did with Sardis. Jesus told the church of Sardis, you are dead.

He gave the church some action points which still applies for today. He said strengthen those things that are still alive - those things that are dying out spiritually. The fire may have gone out in your spiritual life but there may be some embers left. Begin to fan the flames. Go back to the time when you first received Christ. Begin to add prayer, and the word, and participation in the Kingdom work of God. If you fuel the flame, you will become alive again in Christ.