After the Gold Rush
Opening Prayer
Living Lord, may the Living Word, Jesus Christ, live in and through my life to all around me this day.
Read REVELATION 3:1-6
[1] “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. [2] Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. [3] Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. [4] Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. [5] He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. [6] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What was “strange” about the church at Sardis?The film Music and Lyrics features an 80s pop star basking in his former glory. With equal amounts of amusement and embarrassment, he resurrects his writing talent and finds fresh success. Sardis was a city with a reputation for greatness, and also basking in a previous glory. Unfortunately, this former gold rush city was most definitely not glittering anymore. Instead it was asleep and, apparently, so was the church. In fact, it was so asleep it was about to die (2)!
I have heard people say, “good is the enemy of great.” I imagine we can all cite examples of feeling intoxicated by praise for certain achievements. But then enthusiasm for progress wanes and complacency, ineffectiveness and pride soon enter. Jesus sounds the alarm and summons the church in Sardis to wake up from the sleeping sickness that has infected the body. Even their deeds have become futile! It is now time for genuine remorse and to actively walk into the future with Christ (3,4). Busy does not automatically mean fruitful. And past success does not guarantee future victory.
Apply
Is Jesus asking you to “wake up”? Have you become apathetic and ineffective in any area of your life and faith?
Closing prayer
Lord, keep me awake and alert to any complacency or pride that might divert me from serving You.
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