What Would Jesus Say to Wazeecha?
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In some years we talked about the state of the congregation. Looked at some objective measures… tried to be as clear as we could to the objectives we had at the time. But what would Jesus say to Church at Wazeecha?
Would he commend her? Challenge her? Would he say something about what we do? Who we are?
Isa 46:9-10 “Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like Me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.”
“Write to the angel of the church in Sardis:
“The One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not defiled their clothes, and they will walk with Me in white, because they are worthy. In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels.
“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
Jesus has the seven spirits - Holy Spirit
Jesus has the seven stars - pastors (Equates with the authority)
Jesus can tell a church where they are now.
Jesus can tell a church where they are now.
Jesus told Sardis v 1b you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead
You can’t rest on what you used to be. —Sardis had a static spirituality
Sardis is situated on the ridge of a mountain. It had a military advantage, residents thought that no threat could get to it. Twice in its long history, the citadel at Sardis had been captured, each time because sentries had failed to do their jobs faithfully. It is when the church’s leaders and members get accustomed to their blessings and complacent about their ministry that the enemy finds his way in.
Jesus’ parable four soils - our receptivity to the word of God and if it bears fruit. When God speaks, does anything change?
Jesus can tell a church what they need now.
Jesus can tell a church what they need now.
Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God.
Be alert
Strengthen what remains and is about to die, not found your works complete (finished, filled up, completed. Some(thing) missing
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you.
Remember what you have received and heard
Keep it
Repent
One thing this does is give Sardis hope that all is not lost
All of the church’s man-made programs can never bring life, any more than a circus can resurrect a corpse. The church was born when the Spirit of God descended on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), and its life comes from the Spirit. When the Spirit is grieved, the church begins to lose life and power. When sin is confessed and church members get right with God and with each other, then the Spirit infuses new life—revival!
Jesus can tell a church what will happen if they do not act now
Jesus can tell a church what will happen if they do not act now
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Christ and the Churches, Part 2 (Revelation 3)
The impression is that the assembly in Sardis was not aggressive in its witness to the city. There was no persecution because there was no invasion of the enemy’s territory. No friction usually means no motion! The unsaved in Sardis saw the church as a respectable group of people who were neither dangerous nor desirable. They were decent people with a dying witness and a decaying ministry.
Church is to be an active witness in their community. People who are a live expression. Learning and expressing your gifts for use in the church.