Revelation has several reoccurring words and phrases. Knowing Jesus, I really don’t think it is by accident. Rather, as Jesus was one not to waste words, I think He is intentionally trying to get us to NOT miss His message and desire for us to come into heaven victoriously. 
I shared with my home church in Burnside last week, this is a compassionate and compelling love letter from a serious fiancé. Jesus IS coming to get His bride, but is His bride in a “I can’t wait” mindset, or a “I am careless because I could care less”? I think we have all heard and may have all said “Actions Speak Louder than _ _ _ _ _”. I am certain you can fill in the blanks. Think with me about how you felt the last time someone told you that they would do something, but never did. Now think of the last time you told Jesus “You would do…” and never did, or started but never completed.
Jesus speaks to the churches in this book of Revelation. He said something to the majority of them, “I know your deeds”! Tonight, we are looking at the church of Sardis. He says that to them, but after declaring they have “a reputation for being alive” and the reality of being dead, He s tells them “I have not found your DEEDS complete…”!! Wow, can you imagine hearing that and discovering that it wasn’t about just claiming to believe, but BELIEVING enough to DO SOMETHING?

by John Hitchcock, Elder

As we fly through Revelation at a neck breaking speed of a tortoise, we make it to Revelation 3. The church at Sardis is somewhat perplexing, but obviously putting themselves in a dangerous situation. They have a reputation of being alive, but the call from The Great Physician is you have “Flat-lined” and don’t even know it. I wonder how many churches today think they are just fine? They can point to this or that statistic to prove how healthy they are. Preachers and Pastors never stretch the truth about numbers and accomplishments do they? Shoot, we are too often worse than the fisherman telling about the BIG ONE, especially to other pastors. But The Lord knows, because once again Jesus speaks and tells one of His churches that He KNOWS their deeds; what they have been doing, not doing, and the motive behind it all. Now it’s not my job to judge other churches, but what about us Branches? What about each of us that make up this church? What would our yearly spiritual (you know, like a physical) reveal. Whose blood runs strong in our veins? What is our lung capacity for The Spirit being brought in? How is our strength, do we know how to be strong IN Him even when we are weak? Are we flexible and do we have great dexterity, or are we set in our ways? I recommend we look and learn from Him and take advantage of His Grace that forgives as we repent. Like I heard Max Lucado say, it won’t be too cool to be tooting your own horn when Gabriel blows his. Let’s not live off of what we used to do, or did once, but let’s show the world how much Jesus means by living and working “with” HIM.

The Unbelievable Power of Persuasion

People often say they are “going through hell” right now. I fully understand what they mean. There are many uncomfortable things that happen in life, but then there are dreadful and overwhelming things that can wipe us out. No doubt the devil himself loves chaos and desires to rattle our cage and shake our faith in Christ. Christians have a huge advantage in the midst of earth shattering news and obstacles. We BELIEVE! We believe Jesus is LORD of Lords. We believe Jesus couldn’t love us more. We believe Jesus endured the cross and all of the circumstances to not only prove His love, but to buy our freedom from the slavery to the devil and sin. Sadly, our life circumstances can get our eyes off Christ. Our pain, sadness, heartache, unfair situations, and unforeseen tragedies can get us to look at ourselves. As panic sets in, that deceiver begins to crawl up into our minds and sit on the throne of our hearts. From there, he manipulates our emotions to overwhelm our faith and the next thing he brings about is “where is your loving God now?” My understanding, from a “theological” perspective and teaching, is that the simple and clear definition of hell is “the ABSENCE of GOD”; just like darkness is the absence of light. For the unbeliever, they truly are going through hell. But that’s true, even when life is going well. Yet technically, the sad things is, they are only on the outskirts of hell because The Lord is still present and available. What’s sad is when, we that believe, are unaware of HIS Presence. We too can “feel” like we are going through hell, but what a shame. It is because we choose to forget His Presence and Promises. He IS there, but we took Him of the throne. The best way out of hell is still the same answer, JESUS. When you are going through hell, keep on walking, but walk with Jesus.