I READ: Revelation 3: 1 – 6
The church in Sardis is nicknamed “The Dead Church.” This was the church that did not receive praise from the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, because there was not even one of them whose works were found finished (Rev 3:2). The works that they did looked right, but they lost the power of the Holy Spirit in them. Their works looked alive and they looked like they served God actively, but the reality was that their spirituality was almost dead because they did not use the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They were the “powerless” church and didn’t experience the amazingness of the power of the Holy Spirit. Spiritually, they were the dead church because they did not live in the power of resurrection of the Holy Spirit that would’ve breathed life into their lives. They were like the five foolish virgins in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Mat 25:1-13) who didn’t guard their oil for their fire (The Holy Spirit) to keep burning. So, when it was time for God to come for the second time, they weren’t ready to meet the groom. Rev 3:3 quotes Jesus’ words for the church of Sardis, “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.” Because of that, God reminds us to rise up again and strengthen all of our works that are about to die (Rev 3:2).
I DECLARE: 1 Corinthians 14: 4a: Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves.
I DO: Today I will pray a lot in the Spirit and reignite the flame of the Holy Spirit in my heart. I will not stop praying until I feel the Holy Spirit being risen in me.
I PRAY: I will pray for my friends in my small group tonight and strengthen them with my prayer.