Bible

[plugger]

Happy Saturday folks....God Bless.....If I may use the common greeting used in early times in the churches and which Paul used in the opening of his letters. (Epistles)

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

The Church at Sardis, known here as the "Dead Church". Rather short, just 6 verses making for an easy read, but understanding comes a little harder for me, I picked up a little from John MacArthur, a little from David Jeremiah, some from the Interpreter's Bible, so much of what I am posting is from those sources.

The difference between appearance and reality is of constant importance to the Christian. Superficial people evidently praised the church at Sardis. Most likely there were signs of prosperity, what met the eye could could be interpreted in such a fashion as to call words of praise. But one looking beyond the appearance to the heart found something different. It was as if he heard the rattle of dead man bones. The thought of being dead without knowing it is terrible enough. and this is what needed to be learned at the church of Sardis.

Verse 3 ---Come upon you as a thief---this reference does not apply to the second coming of Christ, but to his sudden and unexpected coming to His unrepentant , dead church, to inflict harm and destruction.
Verse 4 speaking of defiled garments....means to smear, pollute stain....not referring to clothing but to character.--

Most of the above was from J. MacArthur, then D. Jeremiah has a bit more focus on the Holy Spirt.
The 7 spirits represent the completeness of the Holy Spirit's ministry. The church at Sardis died because it did not let the Holy Spirit control its assembly. Christ does not call the church to wake up but to be on guard, like a sentry standing guard. `Every member receives and hears the word and calling from the Holy Spirit---It was important that they did not loose focus of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Then we have a closing that a few had not fallen by the way, and words of their rewards for faithfulness.

Dr. David Jeremiah closes it out like this---"John Walvoord writes--"The letter to Sardis is a searching message to the churches today that we are full of activity and housed in beautiful buildings but are often lacking in evidences of eternal life. Christ word today is to remember, repent, and obey, just as it was to the church at Sardis."

I have learned that when reading Scripture, say like Paul's letters to read them as if he were writing to me, personally, it just seems to offer me a different understanding. The when I was reading about the 7 churches I try to read it as if these letters are to the churches of 2020. It is natural to read and point a finger at others, even those of a few thousand years ago, but it can be difficult to point that same finger at ourselves. Our human nature is to rely upon ourselves, we are taught that from childhood , as a baby "take your 1st step, I know you can do it"...this teaching goes alway through adulthood. It then is very natural to rely upon ourselves to work our way into heaven, it is natural not to rely upon the Holy Spirit for guidance, but the truth is if we learn to lean on, rely upon the Holy Spirit our day to day lives will be made much easier. I say this from experience and today I still struggle with control issues. Sometimes, just step back and say "Lord I need some help here" and allow the Holy Spirit to do His thing----you will be blessed...God Bless and have a great week-end