Continuing on with the letters to the churches, Jesus turns to Sardis, the dead church. So many churches have programs and good things going on to help others or to bring people into their church. Perhaps He wants the works of the church to be about Him, not just to bring people into the church, but to bring them to Jesus Christ. We need to be mindful of why we are doing things. It should always be for the glory of Christ. It is not to gain favor for ourselves or even the church we are a part of. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” and in verse 24, Paul says, “Let no one seek his own, but each other’s wellbeing.” Whatever we do, whether work or play, at home, at work or at church, in a ministry or mission, or just in our daily lives, everything should be for His glory. God loves the humble.
Jesus says, in Matthew 6:1-4,
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
That does not mean to hide your faith, though and sometimes you want to share what you are doing, not for your glory, but so that others can see the great work God is doing. Jesus says in Matthew 5:13-16,
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ”
May our church be a blessing to others and always give glory to God. Let people see only the work He is doing, not our own. May the peace of God be with you always.
Rev 3:1-6
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. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘
The next church in Revelation is Thyatira, a church that does a lot of good works and shows love to others. But Jesus also has harsh words for it, because the people allow themselves to be swayed by false teachings and give in to their flesh, their sexual desires. By His words it sounds like the church as a whole and the leadership allowed this and did not dissuade those living in sin. The other thing is that He addresses idols again as in the previous church in Pergamos Let us not allow the world around us to influence those of us who are of the faith. Satan has many ways to influence us and let us be strong and use the weapons that God gives us (see Ephesians 6). 1Corinthians 15:33 says, “evil company corrupts good habits.” and 2 Thessalonians 3 tells us to not keep company with a believer who is living in disobedience. Let us be completely obedient to God and be accountable to each other. Let us not be a stumbling block to others.
The third church that Christ sends a letter to is the church of Pergamos. This church is described as “the compromising church.” It is a warning that we are not to compromise God’s word and our love and loyalty to Him. Some of the people gave in to the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, which allowed for sacrifice to idols and sexual immorality. Many churches in America, in my opinion, have given to one form of idol or another…putting ‘things’ ahead of God. It may or may not be the common practice, but it is more and more allowed. That should not be. Sexual immorality, whether it be homosexuality or sex outside of marriage is prevalent in today’s society and I think many churches have looked the other way and some have allowed it, even in their own leadership! This ought not be! Turn back to what God’s word says and live by it. Don’t let this infiltrate your church. Let us all turn to God and ask Him to purify our lives. Dear God, please cleanse me of all unrighteousness and may I be faithful only to you. Thank you for saving me and making a sacrifice for me. I pray for the church in America that we would stand by God’s truth; every word of it. I pray that this country would once again be ‘one nation under God’ and allow Him back into our schools, our lives our country before it’s too late.
My Daily Scriptures 