Maybe you visited a church and upon leaving made the remark ‘That church is dying.’
Well, there is one church in the Bible that Jesus says was not only dying, it was dead… the church in Sardis.
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write… I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1)
The City – Sardis
Sardis was a wealthy city noted for its textile industry – carpet, red dye, woolen garments. Six centuries earlier it was one of the greatest cities in the world, ruled by King Croesus (known as King Midas). , It is the traditional home of Aesop. But it had been conquered by the Persians, Greeks, Romans and even an earthquake. The city was rebuilt by Tiberius Caesar, the Roman Emperor during the time of this writing. Sardis was still an important city but nothing like it had been in its heyday.
The Commendation – Nothing
This is one of two churches Jesus spoke to in Revelation in which He had nothing good to say to them (the other Laodicea). The only good thing about the church is its reputation.
The Condemnation – Dead
But Jesus did have something negative to say about this church. They were ‘spiritually dead.’ It had a reputation of being alive but actually was dead as far as spiritual power was concerned.
The church at Sardis was like a museum where stuffed animals are exhibited in their natural habitats. Everything appears to be normal, but nothing is alive.
There is nothing more tragic than watching a church die. Some die because tradition (the way we’ve always done it) kills the spirit of innovation. A church is in danger of death when it begins to worship its past, more concerned with forms than life, systems than Jesus, and material than spiritual things. Some die because of prejudice (we don’t want them) keeps them from reaching a changing neighborhood. Others die because complacency replaces fervency. People get ‘weary in well doing.’ and just give up. But whatever else goes wrong, one thing especially will kill a church: stop evangelizing! Whenever a church stops preaching the gospel, it turns inward and self-destructs.
The Correction
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent… (Revelation 3:2-3)
Jesus told them to repent. The situation was not completely hopeless, if they caught themselves in time, they could strengthen what remains even though it was about to die.
The Challenge – Overcomers Clothed in White
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:4,5)
It must have been encouraging to those few who had been attempting to live for Christ in this dead church that Christ was commending them as worthy of His name. Christ promises a threefold reward for these faithful few:
- They will be clothed in white. White refers to the righteousness of Christ which believers are given (2 Cor. 5:21). This may refer to their future in Heaven.
- I will never erase their names from the Book of Life. The Book of Life has in it the names of all who have ever lived for whom Christ died. Those who trust Jesus are given eternal life and never ‘die’. However, names may be blotted out for: sin against God (Ex. 32:33; not overcoming (1 Jn. 5:1-4); take away from Word (Rev. 22:19); dying without Christ. This does not mean people can lose their salvation. It actually means the opposite – the truly saved will never have their names removed.
- I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.
If you are in a ‘dead’ church that is not reaching your world for Christ, I encourage you with the words of Christ, ‘Hold fast!’ This does not encourage a person to stay loyal to a ‘dead’ church, but to stay loyal to Jesus.
What identifies a church that is ‘alive’?