Chapter 3:
John continues in this chapter to bring Jesus message to the remaining three of the seven churches.
SARDIS: Complacency – This was a church that had grown careless and indifferent to spiritual things, they had gotten “comfortable” in their spiritual lives. “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” You can’t live off of past spirituality! There is no neutral in the Christian life. It’s an uphill road and if we put our life in neutral we will actually backslide. The cure? “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die.....Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.” Yet, not all those in Sardis had fallen like this.
PHILADELPHIA: Promised Deliverance – Jesus said of the faithful in this church, “you have kept my word and have not denied my name….. you have kept my command to endure patiently.” Wow – wouldn’t we love to hear this from Jesus about us!~ As a result, Jesus promises them “an open door, that their enemies will bow down to them and that He will deliver them from the hour of trial.” Hang in there Philadelphia!
LAODICEA: Luke-Warmness – Jesus’ most scathing rebukes is given to this church. They were not commended for anything – yikes! These people, by their own self-evaluation were rich and didn’t need anyone’s help. They “had it all.” But God’s evaluation was quite different, “You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Not that they didn’t have lots of “rich” stuff, but Jesus was addressing their spiritual condition! Rich in resources is not equivalent to rich in heart. These people were not on fire for God, and yet, they had enough good looking deeds to not be considered cold – they were lukewarm. Ever drank lukewarm water? Disgusting! And that is what God thinks of people like this, “I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” The cure? “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Jesus is waiting for us to come to him in humility and repentance!
SO WHAT?!
*Have you watched God doing amazing things through you and to you? I hope so! The danger is if we live on that experience and never see God do anything more. I once heard it said, “If you’re not as close to God today as you were yesterday, guess who moved?” It’s stuck with me. God’s work in lives is always meant to be fresh. Let’s not be complacent & stick close to God each day so we can experience & share His fresh work.
*What are you facing that is tough and overwhelming? Go to god during those times, keep His word and don’t become bitter. If you do, then be assured that God will deliver you!
*How’s you walk with Jesus? Hot? Cold? Or puke-warm?!~ We get one chance to live this life for Him – let’s not be lame!
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The above message seems to clearly diagnosis the problem of complacency, however I ask for greater detail on how to break the hold of this spirit over a belivers life. I fear that though I have cried earnestly for forgives and have put his Word before my eyes daily... yet the hunger for God and to due his service seems dormit and I worry that the cares of this working single mother of 3 children are draing me of the Joy of the Lord that is to be my strenghth. GOD BLESS YOU in the furtherance of the ministry.
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