Sardis: The Church of the Living Dead

                Having been in China for the past three weeks, I was forced to take a break from the Monday Morning Musings. Now that I’m back, I’d like to return to our series on the seven churches of Asia, coming now to the church at Sardis in Rev 3.1-6. Of the seven churches, this perhaps has the strongest statement of condemnation against it (saving perhaps for Laodicea). Sardis is said to be dead, though she had a name for herself that she was alive (vs.1). Like out of some horror movie, it was the church of the living dead. Her reputation was great. Maybe from all outward appearances, she seemed to be a vibrant, thriving church. Or perhaps they were merely living on their past reputation, the former days of glory when they were truly alive. But now they had grown comfortable and apathetic. Either way, Christ looks at the inside and at the present. He sees through the façade. He sees the heart, not only of individuals, but of churches. And the heart of this church was no longer beating. They were only Christian in name, not in practice.

                Unlike several of the other churches, there is no mention of false prophets or false teachings in Sardis, just unfinished business (vs.2). Perhaps they had good intentions, but just never followed through with anything. As has often been said, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” But aren’t we all guilty sometimes of failing to follow through on our intentions? How many times have we intended to do some good deed, but just never completed it? How many times have we said we would do better at reading the word of God and praying, but just never get to it? Perhaps we intended to call a brother or sister and tell them we missed them at church on Sunday, but never made that call. Or we intended to go visit someone in the hospital, but never got around to it. Or we intended to talk to our neighbor about the gospel, or invite a coworker to church, but never did. Whether we are too busy and distracted, or worried about rejection, or worried we won’t say the right words, we failed to follow through. We left our deeds unfinished.

                One thing that really stands out about this church, however, is that there were a few among them who had not soiled their garments, and were worthy to walk with Christ (vs.4). Do you find that as surprising as I do? Within a church already declared dead, there was the faint heartbeat of life. There was yet hope for Sardis, simply because a few individuals chose not to give up on the rest. That must have been hard for those few. How frustrating and discouraging it can be for a Christian who is on fire for the Lord to work and worship in a dead church. These few individuals must have been utterly selfless. They were not in it for what they got out of it. They were less concerned for what they got from church than with what they could give. How rare and precious a trait that is! Perhaps through these few, the rest would wake up and repent.

© 2008 Randy Hohf