The Church of the Living Dead

Happy belated Memorial Day to all. I pray that everybody had a safe weekend and ate alot of bar-b-que (I mysteriously did not this year...what a shame). This past Lord's Day was an interesting one for our church as we had too many of our members decided to take a break from worship this week. I should have gave them the wonderful post entitled summer vacation for Christians by Pastor H.B. Charles before sunday and it would have convicted their hearts to do be in church.

I continued our series on Jesus' letters to the 7 churches of Asia Minor, by looking at the church of Sardis. Jesus refers to them as the living dead when he says that they appear to be alive but they are really dead. I truly believe that this disease has infected many of our modern churches, in that they appear to be a thriving, lively congregation of believers, but the reality of the matter is that they are really walking around looking alive, but they are dead. In these last and evil days, the Lord is looking for a people that will stand up and be the type of church that he is calling for. I am committed to leading First Mount Zion to be a productive and relevant church that will speak truth to power, help change the lives of many and to advance God's Kingdom here on earth. Here is the sermon outline:

Text: Rev. 3:1-6

Thesis: God is looking for a church that will focus its total attention on discovering that which is dead and desire to bring his church back to life

I. Jesus Provides A Description of This Church

-Jesus gives three characteristics of this church

a. Dead Church - verse 1...you have the reputation of being alive but you are dead
b. Dying Church - verse 2...wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die
c. Defiled Church - verse 2...I have not found your works complete in sight of my God

II. Jesus Provides A Diagnosis For This Church

-Jesus sees their outlook doesn't look good...he provides two steps that will provide a great revival for this church

a. Return to the Word of God - verse 3...remember then what you have heard and
received...keep it and repent
b. Recover Hope of the Lord's Return - verse 4...yet you still have a few names in Sardis,
people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white