Revelation 3:1-6 “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. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’”
When you look around the church community what do you see? I see so many churches, prophetic YouTube videos, sermons online, evangelising on various platforms as well as on our streets, everywhere we turn we see the Word of God being preached - Hallelujah, praise be to God Almighty! However, when you read Revelations 3:1-6 what do you see? A church body (and/or individuals) that is perceived as being fruitful but in reality they’re spiritually dead! Jesus says in verse 1 of the text “….I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” What does that mean? There are people who believe they’re operating in the Holy Spirit but actually they’re operating in the flesh.
Jesus warns us in this passage that we need to be “watchful and strengthen what remains,” because he has “not found our works perfect before God.” What does Hebrews say “but without faith it is impossible to please Him...” Hebrews 11:6. Therefore, be mindful that in all our ministries we are not operating in head knowledge, flesh and self, but we are operating in the Holy Spirit, we are walking in faith which ultimately enables us to walk in obedience.
There are a thousands of people today who are doing the “works” but not being obedient to the Father - they’re not walking in faith. Jesus is calling for us all to be careful of where we are, and if we notice that we are busying ourselves in the works, and actually not leaning on the Saviour who has given us those gifts to carry out the works, then we need to check our hearts. I’m reminded of the scripture where Jesus says “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
Remember, Christ can use anyone for His glory, doesn’t mean they are right with Him - look at Balaam in Numbers chapters 22-24. Balaam was a sorcerer (witchcraft), Balak called Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites, instead God used Balaam to bless the Israelites.
The Lord is calling for us to repent of our falling away and to hold fast to the truth of His word and walk in daily repentance. Just because we are in ministry doesn’t mean we have arrived. The bible says in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It also says in Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags…” our works will not save us; the Lord wants to remind us that He has saved us, that His love, grace and mercies is what saves us, lets not take it for granted, but repent of our arrogance, entitlement and self importance.
Jesus warns us in the text if we do not heed his words, and repent of our sinful ways, He will return at an hour that we do not expect and the door will be closed. Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
Just like we see in Matthew 25 where we see the wise virgins go in with the bridegroom, so Jesus highlights in the main text Revelation 3:4-5 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” The Lord is showing us that if we overcome, seek him first, and walk in the will of our Father, we will be made pure and our names will be in the book of life.
Let us all be checking the posture of our hearts. If we are truly reflective and honest with ourselves, are we holding our ministries above God? Are we spending more time in our “doing” than meditating and seeking the Lord? Are we acting in self and head knowledge? We should all be coming to the Father in reverence and with a contrite heart (Psalms 51:17) - repenting of our sins (Isaiah 57:15), asking the Lord to renew our hearts (Psalms 51:10), to remove our stone hearts, and make our hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). Amen! x