The Dead Church

Though there were serious problems in each of the previous churches, they were still trying to serve God, and still practiced certain basic principles.  The church at Sardis had none of those things going for it, yet people thought it was a great church.  Revelation 3:1 says, “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”

Many people assume that activity is evidence of life and measure the church by the level of excitement and activity.  They don’t understand that some motorized toy can give lots of activity even though it has no life, or that a person can be resting or in a coma and be alive despite a lack of activity.  As long as the spirit is in the person or animal it is considered a live, and when the spirit departs, it is dead.  The life of the church depends on the Holy Spirit working in the church.  Sadly, many churches substitute activity for life, thinking they are more spiritual than others and trying to get others to copy them. The Lord who has the spirits and the pastors will not be fooled by faked spirituality or activity. 

In I Corinthians 12-14, Paul deals with the actions of the Holy Spirit in the church, giving us various guidelines.  I Corinthians 14:36-38 makes some important points about those guidelines.  “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”  It is pretty arrogant to believe that God has given you a special message making you or your church the group all others should follow.  If a man or church is truly spiritual, they will follow these guidelines.  If they do not, it implies they are ignorant of the Holy Spirit’s working, regardless of their claims. 

Sadly, many have substituted psychology for the Holy Spirit, using mob psychology to get people to make professions and motivational psychology to get them to give and to commit to certain ‘ministries.’  John 6:44 warns, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  Such psychological manipulation will never save anyone or please God.  Activity is not proof of spiritual life.

If the church continues on the path it is following, eventually it lose even those who have been saved, leaving only a facsimile of a church behind.  Revelation 3:2-3 advises, “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. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”  If they are to survive as one of God’s churches, they need to forget their new doctrines and go back to the basic biblical teachings.  If they do not, they will be unprepared when the Lord comes back.  

Even in such churches, there are often some who do not go along with all the new stuff but cling to the scriptures, as Revelation 3:4-5 describes.  “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.” 

Those who stay faithful despite being surrounded by false teachings and faked religious activity have often experienced emotional persecution from others in the church that is often harder to withstand than persecution by the world.  One of my second cousins was constantly discouraged and put down by others in their church because he never received the gift of speaking in tongues, for example, although he was a devout Christian.  Victory through faith in Christ guarantees a place in heaven, regardless what the church may teach. 

Once again we are warned to pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is telling the churches, in Revelation 3:6.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”