“for these are the words of the one who holds the seven Spirits of God

 and the seven stars:”

 To the Sleepy Church!

God opens this letter reminding this congregation that he is the one who is governing rule over all. The seven spirits of God represent the seven churches to whom he writes these letters. The seven stars represent the seven leaders of the churches whom he holds securely in his right hand.

The right hand of God always signifies His authority and rule.

Sardis was a fellowship of people who seem to have fallen asleep on the job. Whatever potential they possessed was unfulfilled. With a name whose meaning can be interpreted as “those who have escaped” or “red ones” (like jewels), It would appear they were in need of a loud reminder that would equate to an alarm bell for Sardis to escape judgment.

Sardis suffered two major defeats. If they were your favorite football team, you’d be a laughingstock. In 549 BC, King Cyrus of Persia conquered Sardis and again they were beaten in 214 BC by Antiochus the Great. Both defeats were due to a problem that, if fixed, would have derived very different outcomes. Sardis was simply asleep! Sleeping on the call, the people, and its enemy!

Before we go any further, can I mention this church makes me feel sad for them? While at the same time, I chuckle just a little at the incredible silliness of this group of people. You’re beaten once, for being sleepy, then you don’t make changes and experience ANOTHER beating for the same reason.

If I’m honest though … I can acknowledge in the privacy of my own thoughts that there have been a few issues in my life where I have slept on personal growth and found myself defeated not once, but twice. Truthfully, there may be another one thrown on the tail end of that. Then, there have been those times I slept on my opponent. Our adversary! Have you ever fooled yourself into thinking that he would give you a break because you’d “been through so much lately?” Not a chance! I have greatly underestimated his disdain for me, my family, and my calling.

God comes on the scene, and he makes this statement that begs our attention for just a few minutes. “I know you have a reputation for being alive” but you are dead.” No one can ever tell me God does not have a sense of humor! Can you hear it? It’s kind of a sad scenario we see today, and God throws it right on the table. Your reputation for being lively and abundant is completely the opposite. You’re a dead church. Have we become the dead bride? In so many ways, the global church in America has fallen asleep. While we corporately pray for an awakening in America, I wonder if God is calling for an awakening in the church houses? Dead worship, dead hope, dead influence, and empty buildings. Maybe this church’s story will serve as our alarm bell?

Sardis is the first church the letter hasn’t opened with a list of acknowledgments or strengths. Not one thing has been pointed out as a job well done! Only a reputation for something that maybe at one time they were? However, we don’t fully get that information. All we know is that they are a church who is dead, with a public reputation and a call to WAKE UP!

“Wake up and strengthen all that remains before it dies, for I haven’t found your works to be perfect in the sight of my God. So remember all the things you’ve received and heard, then turn back to God and obey them.”

I’m pretty sure we’ve all experienced a wake-up call in our lives. The moment you realize you’ve been careless with your important relationships, finances, or opportunities. Maybe you fell into old habits that you know got you into trouble before, yet again you’re doing the same thing?

Thank God we serve a God who takes the time to drop in and say, “Have you not lost enough?” How many more defeats do you need before you wake up? I think about the tragic narrative of this church and the lack of praise, and yet I can’t escape seeing the mercy of God in greeting Sardis the way He did. He still hasn’t given up on them! It gives me so much to celebrate, knowing that no matter how deep into failure I go, He’s coming after me with a prescription for redemption.

“Strengthen all that remains!” This right here brings a tear to my eye. “All that remains.” You still have something left, something to dig through, something worthwhile. No matter how bad it may seem, or how far away you’ve fallen, there is an “all” left in your arsenal to strengthen. You may need to pause right now and take a look at what’s left in your life under the rubble of your failures that you can strengthen before it dies? See, there is a remnant of value left, but it doesn’t last forever. I recently wrote a blog post about manna. I cited that while it was an absolutely amazing move of care for God’s treasured people, the manna sent daily could never be preserved. In other words, it didn’t last forever. It was meant to be enjoyed and eaten in the moment before it spoiled, then trust God for his next move.

The point is, sometimes it’s a lack of trust that causes us to want to hold on to what was God’s last move in “wait mode,” but sometimes it is procrastination! The alarm is sounding for Sardis, and this is no time for procrastination. This is a “move now” kind of deal! The potency of the moment will expire.

He said, “I haven’t found your works to be ‘perfect’ or pleasing to God.” But if you turn around now, blessings! But if you continue to slumber, here’s what you can expect. “I will come to you like a thief, and you’ll have no idea what hour I will come.” If you’re a sleepy congregation you would surely miss the warning of His arrival.

“For the few in Sardis who have remained pure and they will walk in fellowship with me in brilliant light, for they are worthy.”

“And the one who experiences victory will be dressed in white robes and I will never erase your name from the Book of Life. I will acknowledge your name before my Father and his angels.”

For the ones who remained unsoiled by sin and lived life in the full enjoyment of being (JUSTIFIED) walking in the light (unrestrained truth); to them is given white robes and an eternal space in the book of life where their name is written. Jesus will acknowledge your name before his Father in Heaven and the angels.

Let’s sum it up:

• Be Vibrant! If you’re sleeping on your post, not much can be said by way of celebration nor accolades. –You must be active if you seek reward!)
• Monitor your energy level in every area of life.
• Repeat failure may be an indication of carelessness in your life.
• Don’t sleep on your enemy or enemies!

Father, I am in need of an awakening in my life. Restore my energy and cause me to shine bright and vibrant once again. Purify my heart and give me clean hands that I might be pleasing in your sight.

Amen

Questions to ponder:

Have you noticed a low energy level for important things in your life?

How have you seen that impact your success in your relationships, career, relationship and service to God?

Do you think God would describe you as “sleepy?”

What is your takeaway from Sardis being defeated twice for essentially the same issue? How does that impact you personally? 

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