Healthy Church - sardis and philadelphia
By Team Writer Lindsay Lachapelle
As we continue in our series of A Healthy Church, we are taken through Revelation 3:1-13 where Jesus talks to the churches, Sardis and Philadelphia. Revelation begins chapter 3, talking to the church of Sardis, which had been a flourishing city for a long time but had since dwindled. They had followed Christ for many, but as time went on, they grew complacent and comfortable, even to the point of neglect, resulting in the city being overtaken on several occasions. God warns Sardis through John in Revelation that if they do not repent, He will come like a thief in the night at a time they do not expect. But to those who repent, He will never blot their name out of the book of life, for they are worthy.
Have you ever felt like the church of Sardis, complacent and comfortable in your faith? If so, what do you think led you to this point?
If you’ve never gotten to that point of complacency, or even if you have before, how can you resist complacency in the future? What are ways to keep you striving to live life uncomfortably?
The second church addressed is the Philadelphia church, which, though they endured much persecution, stayed faithful to Christ, regardless of how hard. In this passage, Jesus is commending the church of Philadelphia and encouraging them to continue to endure patiently as their reward will come during the hour of trial to test the inhabitants of the world; they will be kept from this trial. Jesus also says that He is coming soon, so to hold on to what they have, their reward is great in Heaven. Though this was written over 2,000 years ago, Jesus is still coming soon, without delay, and we as a church need to live as such.
As a church in America, it can be hard to grasp what persecution looks like for other churches as we can worship freely in the US, yet even to this day, it happens worldwide. How can you help encourage others dealing with persecution and keep yourself strong so that you are ready to stand firm in Christ’s truth if it does happen to you?
At the end of His message to Philadelphia, Jesus says He is coming soon. Since this was written so long ago, it is hard to believe that it could happen at any time. How should we be living if we should be expectant of Jesus coming soon?
From these two churches that Jesus speaks to, we can learn several very important characteristics of God. First, a healthy church is uncomfortable. Sardis had a reputation for being a flourishing city, yet they became complacent within themselves, and though others thought of them as alive, they were dead inside. God calls us to live uncomfortably in this world, sharing His truth regardless of how uncomfortable we may feel. This ties in with following through, not just doing good works to look good on the outside, but doing them so that you may bring more people to Christ, having the heart of Christ be your main desire. A healthy church of Christ is also taught to be lovingly offensive. The Gospel is offensive because it starts with people confessing that they are sinners, which many people do not want to do. As we share the parts that are offensive, we should love and lovingly show others the truth. Another characteristic of a healthy church is that it does not always have to be big and strong. A church’s health should never be determined solely by numbers alone, but by the way, they are evangelizing and discipling their body of believers. Much like the church in Philadelphia, we are called to endure patiently. Even while changing culture and persecution, we are called to take until Christ comes. The final characteristic of these churches is to be purely different. Especially in today’s culture, we are to look different, act different and behave in a way that is honoring to the Lord.
Which of these characteristics do you find to be most challenging personally and why?
How can you use the examples of the two churches to help you grow in this area?
Make a Move:
This week, focus on living differently and being okay with being uncomfortable while doing it. Find ways to share truth in love and watch God work through your life and your heart in reaching out to others, being a part of the church of Christ.
Prayer Prompt:
Dear Lord, I thank you for the example of these churches in how to live in a way that is pleasing to you. I pray that you would help me grow in these areas so I can be a vital part of your Church and an example to those around me. In your name, I pray, Amen.
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