Church of the Living Dead

 Rev 3:1  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. 2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

It seems so many "places of worship" are awaiting just another nail or two for their coffin and then they will be ready for burial. There is no fire in the pulpit and no urgency in the pew. Their message is a watered-down homilies preached by powerless girly men to unconverted congregations disinterested in the powerful truths of the Word of God.

Sardis Church was one of imperfect works before God. Yes, they were involved in programs which soothed their collective conscience. Perhaps they had dug a few wells in African villages or made some doilies for poverty stricken Asians or sent reading glasses to the elderly in Babylon. But these works were not born of the Spirit.

The Turkish Times often reported the goings on of this church in their social columns, but their works were not being recorded in heaven, for the church was dead.

You know this kind of church in your town. It is the church where the elite meet to eat and greet. They have the name and the money and the programs. People visit around and settle in this church because it is socially attractive. The pastor is mild-mannered and well-behaved. It is a good place for social networking. You can find a realtor, a doctor, a Mary Kay or an AMWAY rep here.

But what you can't find is the Spirit of God changing lives, a missionary fervency, systematic teaching of the principles of the Word, soul-winning or a stirred up baptistery tank.

If you are part of one of these funeral parlors, get out before the stench of death settles upon you. Find a church on fire, where the pulpit burns with a passion for the resurrected Christ and sinners find new life in Him.