ReLight: Sardis

Today being All Saints Day, we remember those who have passed away that we have loved and admired. You may hear words or phrases like “Great Cloud of Witness”, or “Saints” and wonder what do we mean by those words and phrases. We believe that all persons who have built a relationship with the risen living Savior Jesus goes to heaven after they pass away. When we die, at least in parts of the New Testament, it is known as the first death. Only those who reject God and do not have faith and a relationship with Christ experience the second death. In the second death we are separated from our creator and all the things we are created to be and to enjoy. There is no redemption or escaping if you die to your Creator, our Heavenly Father. Unless you have been raised in church or attended many Christian funerals in your lifetime, all of this may go right over your head. That is okay, for I will tell you more about this on a level we all can understand. After all, there are a few good reasons we celebrate All Saints Day. But first let us read our text for today, which is the fifth of the seven letters to the churches in The Book of Revelation.

Pray and Read Revelation 3:1-6

Revelation 3:1–6 NRSV

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works; you have a name of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Yet you have still a few persons in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Sardis was a military city in Asia Minor. Today, it located in Turkey and it is named Sart. Remember last week we talked about Thyatira? This city was southeast of there along the same trade route. Sardis made and sold expensive silk and wool; they were expensive because of how they were dyed and designed. They also had expensive jewelry. They wealthy lived in this area. I can just imagine all the ministry they could do with the tithes pouring in. And I bet these Christians had all the best resources to aid in their discipleship and worship. Yet, Jesus had some harsh words for them.

There is nothing commended in the church of Sardis. Sure, they did stuff and the people in the community knew who they were. That is good I guess. However I want you to remember that Jesus knows the heart and the mind. How they appeared on the outside, was noting like how they actually were on the inside. They were a zombie church basically. They acted like they were alive, but their was no life inside them.

Let me go back to our little theology lesson that I started in the beginning. First, theology is the study of God and all things related to God. So basically, all those who proclaim faith in Jesus go to heaven. Therefore they are a part of what we call, “The Great Cloud of Witness.” They are in heaven as in the clouds and they have a testimony of their faith. So these “Saints” as we call them are examples of spiritual journeys through the good times and the bad times. Much like the stories in the Bible, they can all teach us something. We can also call this witness, or testimony, a legacy. We should all hope to leave this world with a godly legacy.

Every funeral I preach, I try to say words regarding the persons faith. As a pastor, that is important to establish the belief that they are a saint among the great cloud of witness. I will not lie about a person, but I will not say anything negative either. I also try to tell of their legacy which is how they loved their family and friends. I will speak on their civic actions in the community and even a little on their personality. I hope that I can help the bereaved family and friends remember them in a positive way and call to mind positive things they have done.

So, for us who are alive today, if we have faith in Christ, we will not die spiritually but will live on forever. Jesus warned the church in Sardis that they were on the brink of complete death. “Wake up” was the call of hope. There is a difference between being awake physically and being awake spiritually. No amount of good works or good times can wake you up spiritually. If have to open your minds and your heart to Christ and you will be transformed into an awareness that you have never experienced before. You may ask, “How do you do that?” Or you may joke, “Should I pull my eyes open a little wider?” No, it is through prayer and asking for Jesus to come and transform and renew your life.

There were a few in Sardis who were alive spiritually. They did good works because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the commands of Christ. They now have the opportunity to help their brothers and sisters come alive in Christ. The whole church would benefit from being alive in Christ. However, the church was dwindling to a spiritual death if they did not begin to pray together and teach one another to build a relationship with Christ. This church had great ministry events and programs, but no discipleship. Discipleship, which is how we grow in our faith together, was but on the back burner.

The main lesson this church needed to learn, was how to grow in their faith. They needed to understand that the good deeds would not save them. If we are to share the Gospel with people in our community and world, then we need to do two things. First, we must individually be building and growing in our relationship with Christ. Then, if we are doing that, we are to help others grow in their faith. What is our church doing to help one another grow in our faith? What are we doing to help those who have never been to church grow in faith in Christ? What are we doing to help our children learn about Jesus? What about our youth? What about our family? Are we spiritually alive? Is this church alive with the power of the Holy Spirit? How can we stay awake and alert until Jesus comes again?

All those who we remember and celebrate today, I am sure, wants us to be awake and alive in Christ. What do you think they would tell us? What is the legacy they have left for us? What kind of legacy are we leaving for future generations? Is our church facing death? Or are we alive and building a legacy that will help our church grow in Christ?

In the Name of God the Father, Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.