CHURCH
CHURCH
CHURCH GOVERNMENT

This church was making progress. 

However, as with many churches today, it contained at least two groups of theologically different people. Part of the church, perhaps the majority, were apostate; 

while a remnant were faithful to the 'Word' of the letters Paul and others distributed and the travelling true teachers' teachings. 

There are two views about the person of Jezebel here. One is that there was a lady of that name in the local church there while the second, and more likely view is that the statement is allegorical, referring to the traits of the first Jezebel, the weak King Abab's wife. It doesn't really matter though, for the message Jesus is bringing.

Personally, I feel a little sorry for Jezebel! For it seems today, everyone we disagree with in the church, whether male or female, is readily called Jezebel! I know I am exaggerating (a little!) but her name has become synonymous with dissent in the church, particularly those who don't agree with the leadership!

Before I get into more trouble, I will quote what is said of her in Easton's Bible Dictionary: 

Sardis was an ancient city of Lydia, on the banks of the mountain Tmolus. Likely to have been the chief city of Asia the Less, it was the first city in that part of the world to be converted by the preaching of John. Likely also to have been the first to revolt from Christianity, and today lies in ruins. 

Interestingly, Jesus had nothing good to say about this church in His prelude.  

Here we have a superficially successful church with a great reputation, but one that is relying upon past glory for its present ministry.

As the first city of the area to be converted, we can well imagine how vibrant and enthusiastic the original believers would have been.

Yet, over time, the initial enthusiasm waned and the work of the church reduced from substance to form. It had become a dead church living on its past reputation.

This can so easily happen to us, both as individual believers and in the life cycle of the church. There is a saying that 'familiarity breeds contempt' and while this sounds harsh in relation to God, it can all too easily become our reality.  

This can so easily happen to us, both as individual believers and in the life cycle of the church. There is a saying that 'familiarity breeds contempt' and while this sounds harsh in relation to God, it can all too easily become our reality.

Why is this? I believe the major reason is that we place limits upon our relationship with God. Once we stop seeking more of Him, we actually experience less! For faith is like a pendulum swinging. We are either going on in Him or we are going backwards. We cannot stand still.

This is as true for a church as it is for us individually. Churches are generally founded by an enthusiastic group keen to reach out into their community. God is truly relied upon as He is necessary to the equation! However, over an amazingly sort time, Gods ways become methods and then tradition. We learn how to 'do church'.

Experience has taught me that God is a God of change. While He never changes, He requires us to change, step by step, into the image of Jesus. While I don't know about you, I suspect you are the same as me, having some way to go yet to become like Jesus!

So too does the church, in order to become the pure, spotless bride for which Jesus is returning. He wont come until we are! We determine the time of His return by our preparation. If we are not ready, if our robe is soiled, He will wait for another generation. Sobering, isn't it!

Yet there were again in the Sardis church a remnant who were not simply believers, but true disciples, as has been the case down through the ages. 

To which group do you belong? 

... as we take a look at the church most quoted as being like that of today, the one in Laodicea

It is amazing how quickly the early New Testament church developed many of the problems we see in the church today.

In essence the desire of God has never changed. Then, and now, God is seeking people and churches who are completely sold out to Him.

Is that you? Is that me?

Extra-Biblical Historical Evidence for the LIFE, DEATH, and RESURRECTION of JESUS

ANCIENT NON-CHRISTIAN SOURCES

Lucian, a second century Greek satirist:

"The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day--the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account. ... You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them merely as common property." Lucian also reported that the Christians had "sacred writings" which were frequently read. When something affected them, "they spare no trouble, no expense."

Mara Bar-Serapion, of Syria, writing between 70 and 200 AD from prison to motivate his son to emulate wise teachers of the past:

"What advantage did the Athenians gain from putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as a judgment for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burying Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise king? It was just after that that their kingdom was abolished. God justly avenged these three wise men: the Athenians died of hunger; the Samians were overwhelmed by the sea; the Jews, ruined and driven from their land, live in complete dispersion. But Socrates did not die for good; he lived on in the teaching of Plato. Pythagoras did not die for good; he lived on in the statue of Hera. Nor did the wise king die for good; he lived on in the teaching which he had given."