Sardis - What Remains

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The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20240830 - Revelation 3 KJV - Part 1 - Sardis - What Remains

Revelation 3 KJV

[1] And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. [2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. [3] Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. [4] Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. [5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. [6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.3.1-6.KJV

Note for 20240830

Of those things that we heard at first, that brought us into our Faith in Jesus Christ, what remains pure? What remains as the first love of our heart, and what do we obey and hold onto? What may have spoiled our garment, do our works testify of our love for Christ?

If you then indeed believe that we are the Bride of Christ, how would the world know that we are betrothed? What is the symbol of our engagement, what shows that we are promised to the Lord Jesus Christ, that we are His alone? For we are called by the Name of Life, Christ Himself; how then, do we walk after death? What soils our garment more than to walk after the ways of this world, which is assigned to judgment, even unto the second death?

Oh, friends, this a “remove-the-log-from-your-own-eye” moment. We are to look within ourselves. Do our ways truly reflect the Light of Christ? How do we stand in the ambassadorship of the Kingdom of GOD? Is our light shining brightly, or is it dimming out, lost amongst the artificial and false lights in this world? Dare I ask, what forms of entertainment do we stand in, what of Christ remains alive and well in us, by word and deed. For James wrote, faith without works is dead. What then is ready to die, of what remains?

Now, I know I have asked a lot of questions. And I admit, I asked myself these questions first. Do we read, just to read and get it over, as if just another task of our things to do each day; or, are we truly reflecting on what these words may mean?

Here, Christ say that we should strengthen those things that remain, which are ready to die. Can our works be found perfect before GOD? Remember how Christ said, "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20)

If you have that "wait, what?" moment; then you have paid attention. Because these were those that Christ called out for hypocrisy, but why? For they were outwardly righteous, but inwardly dead. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:27) To exceed their works of righteousness then, both the inner and the outer must stand in agreement, and without the outwardly works... Well, let us read it straight from James 2 (KJV)

" 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

The Word confirms the Word. What then is it that Christ speak of here of what remains and is ready to die, that we must strengthen that? Less He comes as a thief in the night... of which He spoke to His disciples before. I could add that too here, but I will spare you for the moment for a respect of your time. It is easy enough today to search these sayings out.

Friends, are you still sitting and waiting to be fed; or, have you matured in your faith that you feed the sheep of Christ as He instructed Simon Peter to do? And what was the question that Christ asked him prior to the instruction? Yes, it was, "Simon Peter, do you love me?"

Luke 18 (KJV)

"6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth"

Friends, this last piece of Luke 18:8 is one of the most impactful statements of Christ for me ever. Does this not gesture to Him coming as a thief in the night and find many unawares in their sin? So, heed the warning of Christ to Sardis, strengthen those things that remain. Do not let it die in you. For, we were called to be on watch, standing in the righteousness of Christ, to be One with Him and with each other in the Holy Spirit of GOD. We should not be like the servant that said, "My Lord delays His coming," but be ready at each moment standing in our faith. To have oil for our lamps!

Right now, in this time, we have this in common with these churches to whom these letters were sent by John, as Christ narrated to him. We too stand in the midst of godless people in a godless world, holding on to idols before the Lord. Worshiping false idols, standing in false doctrines and heeding the call of all that is anti-Christ. This world shows, like then, all kinds of sexual immoralities. What is a lamp in the darkness if we stand in the likeness of all those that are damned in their disbelief? How can we look the same, say the same and do the same? What have we in common with wickedness, if we stand in Christ?

No, friends, a light is meant to shine in darkness, to show the way unto righteousness. And if we are not that light, then what remains? The enemy has tempered us, by making us think that a church that stands in pagan practice and idolatry, is the light that is meant to shine, while it is scarcely keeping the lights on in its own house. Who has an ear to hear? Let Him hear what the Spirit is saying unto the churches. No more slumber, no more sleep, less spiritual poverty overtakes you.

Can we truly remain in a gesture of faith alone, like the Pharisees Christ called hypocrites? Do we drive in and out of the church yard, not even seeing the beggars at the gate? Who is crying before the Lord our God, and were we not sent to them? "...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." Is that who we have become?

So, strengthen those things that remain, that Christ may find faith when He returns.

Shalom

Verse of The Day

(YouVersion-Extended)

John 1:1-5 KJV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.1.1-5.KJV