Brothers and Sisters, I seem to be on a roll right now with my posting. I praise the Lord Jesus Christ for the gift He has given me. I pray His word and teaching be carried out to all who need to hear.
My wife and I were at dinner tonight. We were speaking about things we would like to do and projects that we would like to complete. But as our conversation wandered, we began to converse about Jesus and His purpose. As we talked He began revealing that many churches are dead. But He also revealed something wonderful.
I think it’s time to quote some Scripture.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. (Rev. 3:1)
Notice the Lord’s charge to the church in Sardis was that they had the reputation of being alive. But in fact they were dead. So how did they get that way? They must have fallen away from the Gospel right? They focused on their own thoughts and purpose rather than His. Think Matthew 7:21-23 here. For Jesus says quite plainly that they needed to hold fast to what they had and repent. To remember what they knew to be true.
Flash forward 2,000 years to today and what do we see? There are many churches who claim to be alive and flowing in the Holy Spirit. But they are imposters. We see examples on Daystar and TBN. And carbon copies in our towns and cities. What they really are are programs with music to shift your mood and emotion. Basically to manipulate you with the show. The dynamic way the pastor speaks. One moment lulling you into pacifity. The next moment roaring into a point of excitement.
But there is hope for those who believe and are saved in Christ from their sins. For there is a promised resurrection from the dead. I want you to know that resurrection begins with the dead in this world. The dead who walk as though they are alive. But they are not alive in Christ. Most importantly to the dead who claim to be Christ’s and go to that graveyard called church.
Think about it for a moment. When you have discussions with many of these “churched” people, all they can talk about is their church and their pastor. Why? Isn’t it because they are not alive in Christ? For if they were alive in Christ they would speak of Him. And of His life in them. But their focus is the life of the church. It is part and parcel to why we have so many denominations. But the call is clear:
2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. (Rev 18:2-4)
And so as we answer the call of Salvation we are resurrected from the dead into a life in Christ Jesus our Savior. Praise His Holy Name!
Last Days of the Age 