The Essential Jesus (Part 18): The Early Church of JesusSample

The Dead Church

PRAY: Heavenly Father, I want to be "dead to sin" but "alive to God" (Romans 6:11). Please show me how I can do that today.

READ: Revelation 3:1-13

REFLECT: Years ago, I attended an urban church that some of my friends thought was dead. It was part of a denomination that was drifting away from the Bible. The church was located in a transitional neighborhood, and we struggled to maintain a large stone building that hadn't been filled in fifty years. But a small group of us began meeting in a side chapel weekly to pray for the church. As a result, God did a wonderful thing: he didn't suddenly fill the pews, but he made those of us who prayed spiritually alive.

The church in Sardis (vv. 1-6) was the reverse of that urban church I attended. It had "a reputation of being alive" (v. 1). Today, everyone wants to be part of a successful church. Megachurches attract the best preachers, the most money, and the largest congregations. But is that what Jesus wants? Not necessarily.

Even though the church in Sardis had everything going for it, Jesus considered it dead (v. 1). Why? Because its members weren't fully obeying the basic teachings of the gospel (vv.2-3). That can happen if we focus on a few "precious promises" but aren't committed to reading and applying all parts of the Bible. Without that, Jesus says to the church in Sardis, "you are not completely obeying God" (v. 2 CEV).

On the other hand, the church in Philadelphia received only kudos (vv. 7-13). Like the church at Smyrna, they didn't look successful; they were weak and facing opposition (vv. 8-9). But they got the main things right; Jesus says, "You obeyed my word and did not deny me" (v. 8 NLT).

Perhaps the most encouraging thing from this passage is that whether you find yourself in a dead church or one that is truly alive, Jesus says you will "walk with me" (v. 4) if you remain faithful to him and his Word. The best reason to read and live out the full message of the Bible is not so that we can be "holier than thou"; it's so that we can be closer to Jesus.

APPLY: Do you think Jesus would consider your church dead or alive? Why?

PRAY: Spend this time praying for the church you attend and for all the churches near where you live.