The Blindness of the Shepherds
They are happy when they remember how rich they are, how powerful they are in witchcraft but they forget that God is far from them. In their store, bans and accounts are with great storage but God’s presence was lacking. Their leaders, watchmen were blind, ignorant, dumb dogs, sleeping, lying down and loving slumber. They are filled with greed, always seeking to defraud others with God’s Word, in the name of Christianity. They are shepherds but they lack understanding and go their own way, make gains without God.
They are filled with programs that will give them more money, fame and glory. They do not care about the welfare of their poor members, sick members and the less privileged ones. The rich despise the poor; deny them of their rights, benefits and entitlements.
‘For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things´ (Philippians 3:18-19).
Persecution of the Righteous
True ministers, those with God’s call, who live right and serve God, are being persecuted. They placed them in places of suffering, attack their ministry with witchcraft and starve them of fund. They attack the righteous, their livelihood and destroyed the Christians lives of many. They fight against people with genuine faith, divine call and has forced many to abandon God. Christ wrote to the few contending ministers, members to hold their faith and never look back. The neglected and suffering ones who were born again were asked by Christ through the letter to keep living right, hold fast what they have, trust God, be prayerful and watchful.
‘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. Be watchful, and strengthen the things, which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 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. 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’ (Revelation 3:1-4).
‘But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth’ (1Timothy 5:6).
The Perils of Worldliness
Christ reminded the contending members to fight the good fight and never allow anything, even death to deny them of God’s reward. They were encouraged to be stronger and keep what they were dong for Christ in all situation. When you get into any place, office, church in any nation, define your assignment, time and job limits. Work with or without reward, or encouragement knowing that if you play your part, God will reward you in due time. Pray that you will not under stay because of attacks, discouragement and the activities of the agent of the devil.
Pray that you will not overstay because of fear of attacks or the promotion from the devil or his agents. Many people were in Sardis but their times have expired. They were afraid that if they leave, they would be attacked or lose what they already have. Others are there because they got promotion outside God’s will. Christ told the few believers, whose names were in the book of life not to join the multitudes to do evil, pursue wealth and die spiritually. They must not be defiled or pollute themselves with pleasures. They must not love the world, the things of this world. They must avoid the things of this world that will take them away from divine focus.
They must not allow anything, any person in this world to shift them from focusing into heaven, eternity and heavenly reward. They must not allow their flesh, the vainglory of this world, the lusts of the things of this world to take away God’s spirit from them. They must live holy, avoid pride, carnality and things they see, hear, feel or think to shift their faith in God and from God. They must agree with God’s word, disagree with anything that disagree with God’s word and contend to the end.
‘And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish’ (Luke 13:2-3).
‘And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel’ (Mark 1:15).
It is better to suffer worse things, go through worse pains and die contending for the faith than to die in sin. It is better to remain with Christ, keep relationship with Him than to compromise. The church in Sardis became sensual, social gathering where people came to show their best designed clothes. Offering time was a time to show new dresses, shoes and golden wristwatches. People’s mind was perverted, diverted from the reality.
Times of testimonies, appreciating God were an opportunity to tell lies, pretend and show off. The car park was filled with pride because people just go there to show whose car is the latest, the best. Those who drive small cars were tempted to do anything possible, good or bad to change their cars to belong. The poor ones, the less privileged were nobody and had no place in the church at Sardis. It was worse than worldly normal social club was.
Believers, poor people were nothing because they have no place. Their purpose of going to church, fellowship is to socialize and boast of new things, the latest in the city. They drove God away, despise His servants and destroyed the ministries of greatly destined ministers. The church was dead spiritually and there was no divine presence.