Equipping University

The words of Christ to the church in Sardis are the stuff of pastoral nightmares. No pastor or church member would ever want to hear the words delivered to the church in Sardis addressed to their own congregation. The letter suggests that the church in Sardis had slowly taken on the characteristics of its city, a group of people on the verge of death. Like the residents of Sardis, the Christians there were ignorant or deceived about the safety of their future existence as a church. They did not realize that the essence of a church is not found in its buildings, programs, past achievements, or reputation. Instead, the essence of a church is found only in its right fellowship with Christ as demonstrated through doctrinal orthodoxy and a holy life of loving service, continual repentance, and Spirit-filled obedience.