Text: Revelation 3:1-6
Memory verse:
”Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.“
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Most times, we think that the only reason why trees break at the trunk during a windy day is because of the wind speed. No, that’s not necessarily so. A tree breaks easily because of its internal deadness, having been eaten up by insect borers. Although, the tree may still be standing and having fruits but it’s dead and with a little wind, it breaks and falls.
This was the state of the church of Sardis. Jesus said concerning her, “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.“ ‭‭(Rev‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬). The church had a name, that is, reputation and fame of being alive but were actually dead. Their reputation was in conflict with their reality. What people saw about the church wasn’t what Jesus saw about them.
Just like the tree that was full of leaves and fruits but empty inside, the church of Sardis was full of activities but had no life. Most of the members had outward show but no inner life. They had lots of activities but no real productivity. They had formality but no life. Like Jesus also rebuked the Pharisees, ”…You’re nothing but show-offs. You’re like tombs that have been whitewashed. On the outside, they are beautiful, but inside, they are full of bones and filth.“ ‭‭(Matt‬ ‭23‬:‭27‬ ‭CEV‬‬). They were just show-offs! Christ was seen in their words but not in their deeds. They sang holiness but lived the opposite. They showed zeal on Sunday corporate worship but lukewarm on personal devotion throughout the week. His name was held, His word read but Himself forgotten.
The pathetic thing about this church was that, unlike the Pharisees in Jesus’ days, they were not like this before. They didn’t start this way. A once vibrant church had unconsciously degenerated to this state. Like the prodigal son, they were disconnected from God. Sardis church was a living dead church.
You can be active in church, known by everyone but dead spiritually.
Works and activities in church are not indicators of a spiritual life.
Friends, are you truly who you portray yourself to be in church and outside? Are your services or works in church the true reflection of your inner life or personal relationship with God? Now, do what our memory text commands. Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as genuine and committed believers.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, aid me by Your Spirit to diagnose my true spiritual state and to return to You, in Jesus’ name.
2. Holy Spirit, please, quicken me again that I may please and serve God aright, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. If my self-examination result shows that my reputation outside is in conflict with my reality, then I am a dead living believer.
2. I am conscious not to shift from seeking to please God to seeking to please people.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng