Revelation 3:1 – “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars:

“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.


4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.
6 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. (NLT)

Today we examine the letter to the church in Sardis.  Sardis was a center for the woolen trade.  It is recorded that the art of dying wool was actually developed in Sardis (and this is why Jesus references soiled and white clothing).  In 17 AD there was a severe earthquake that essentially destroyed the city.  The city was faltering, and relied heavily upon Rome’s money to keep going.  Rome did its best to rebuild the city, but they could not revitalize the spirit of the inhabitants.  The church in Sardis reflected the surrounding society, both were dead spiritually.  Jesus speaks of this in verse one: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.”

Unlike the churches in the other letters we have looked at, the church in Sardis is not rebuked for idol worship or immorality, so they must have been living good, moral lives.  They probably went to church, and did good church ‘stuff’, yet they were still dead.  There are a lot of good Christians who go to church and do good church stuff, but God desires more from us.  God desires that we have passion!  This letter teaches us that a lack of passion for our Christian walk does not meet the requirements of God (verse 2).

Perhaps, this was a church without real Christian action.  Remember what James tells us: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17).  Christians often regard Jesus as the one to whom we look for something – strength, help, comfort, forgiveness.  While Jesus is always ready to supply these in abundance, the truth of the matter is that Jesus looks for something from us, as well.  Jesus looks for and desires our love for others; our loyalty to Jesus; and our service towards humanity.  We are to be Christ’s witness to the world.  As the Apostle Paul said, we are to be the Body of Christ at work in the world.

Today, let us strive to move beyond church ‘stuff’.  Let us allow our relationship with Jesus to be modeled in all that we do!  

Posted by Ramón Torres