Revelation 3:1:
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. |
The church at Sardis had a name for being alive, but Christ told them they were dead. Christ told them that they needed to resurrected. They needed to repent and remember what they had received and heard. You have heard of people sleeping through church, they were dead. Preaching to this church would be like a fellow holding a sunrise service in a graveyard and no one shows up. He goes ahead and preaches to the dead. There were a few in this dead church that had not soiled their garments and to them he promised victory. - James R Davis
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You find these mystic cults arising in many of the movements of our day. The New Age Movement, for instance, intrigues people with revelations of powerful spirit beings who can impart information that ordinary people do not have. These are what Jesus calls "the deep things of Satan." In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he speaks of the "deep things of God," (1 Corinthians 2:10). Whenever God has something good, Satan imitates it. These dark and hidden matters are Satan's imitation of the wonderfully deep truths in the Word of God. Now to those who refuse these, Jesus says, "Hold fast what you have." Do not let it go. Do not accept these degrading moral standards. It may be difficult to live for Christ in a worldly church, but hang on to your moral standards at least. Do not go along with sexual immorality. Do not accept the idea that adultery is only a minor sin, that you need to have affairs now and then. Hold on," Jesus says, "until I come." --Ray Stedman
Revelation 3:11:
Behold, I come quickly: hold fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown |
Crowns have been prepared for each of the finally redeemed. Every soul is a candidate in the race for eternal life, and hence for a crown. Faith in Jesus, and perseverance to the end, will hold it fast.
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Revelation 3:15-16:
“I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth” |
There is no story in the Bible where God calls someone and offers to negotiate the terms of the call. There is no example in the Bible where God calls an individual on a trial basis. Jesus doesn’t say to the disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, “Follow me for sixty days and we will see how things work out and re-evaluate.” No, God calls and we have two choice—either we follow or we don’t.
And we cannot follow Jesus à la carte, as consumers who follow on our terms choosing only how we want to follow. The consumer approach to discipleship not only creates Christians focused mainly on themselves instead of others, cafeteria Christianity tends to produce, not followers of Jesus who “get in the game,” but spectators content to warm the bench while others tend to the hard and faithful and sacrificial work necessary in service to the kingdom of God. -Allan Bevere |
I don’t want to push the analogy too far, but for the sake of illustration, let’s think of the membership model of church as similar to the membership model of the modern health club. One becomes a member of a health club by paying dues (in a church, the monthly or weekly offering). Having paid their dues, the members expect the services of the club to be at their disposal. Exercise equipment, weight room, aerobics classes, an indoor track, swimming pool—all there for them, with a trained staff to see that they benefit by them. Members may bring a guest on occasion, but only those who pay their dues have a right to the use of the facilities and the attention of the staff. There is no need to belabor the point. Many who sit in the pews on Sundays have come to think of church membership in ways analogous to how the fitness crowd views membership in a health club (Willi Williman).
Revelation 3:20:
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. |
![]() The first thing Jesus is saying is “Behold,” or open you eyes and give me your full and complete attention. Secondly, I am knocking; will you hear my voice calling you to Me? Thirdly, Will you open yourself to Me? If you’ll receive Me, I will come into you (your heart, you soul, your life), and we will sup, (commune together). And in Hebrews 13:5 “He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you”. And, Matt.28:20, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” -George Randall Jr; Rocky Ford Christian Church
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To be honest, when I think of someone knocking, I can’t help but think of Sheldon from “The Big Bang Theory”. Whenever he goes someplace and has to knock on a door, he compulsively has to say the person’s name. Knock, knock, knock, Penny. Knock, knock, knock, Penny. Knock, knock, knock, Penny. Sheldon is persistent at knocking at someone’s door, so much so that if they’re there, they are compelled to open the door. I picture God doing that to the door to my heart and mind. Knock, knock, knock, Jill. Knock, knock, knock, Jill. Knock, knock, knock, Jill. He wants me to pay attention, and He’s willing to be annoying when He does it. God does many things to get our attention and bring us back to focusing on Him. God has something to say to us, and He’s not going away until you’ve heard it. -My God is…Knocking Revelation 3:20
Revelation 3:21-22:
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’