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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Ian Moore and are based on Revelation 3:1-6
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Psalm 51
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 found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, 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 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Sunday January 11 - Living in the past
“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”
Revelation 3:1
The letters to the churches in Revelation are living letters. Though written in the first century, they apply just as much to today’s church and to us as individuals. Each is no ordinary letter but was given by the One who holds all things together, the Lord Jesus. To each church Jesus said, “I know...” and to five of the seven, “I know your deeds...” Stop for a moment and consider that Jesus knows everything there is to know about you; from him no secrets are hid. Jesus is looking for fruit – the fruit flowing from the abundant life he has given to each of us! It will vary from person to person, and the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) makes it clear that when the master returns he expects a return on his investment!
Put simply, our faith should be a living faith. Sadly, Sardis was a dying church. Edmund Burke said, “Very seldom does a man take one giant step from a life of virtue and goodness. Usually he begins his journey by taking little steps into the shaded areas, almost unnoticed by those around him.” But not unnoticed by God!
The church of Sardis was ignorant of the fact that it was living in the past. Dear friend, circumstances may be difficult but Jesus offers you his life today! Let’s seek to live it to the full.
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Lord Jesus, you who wept over Jerusalem, please show me where I have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5). Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY