REVELATION 3:4

It must be noted that there is no commendation given to this church whatsoever – The church in Sardis. This church is referred to as a dying, lifeless church. In fact, this is how Jesus, the Head of the church, refers to them. He said “. . . thou hast a name how thou livest, but art dead” (Revelation 3:1). They had a name, a reputation that they were alive – full of works, activities, ministries, and programs. They looked good, seemed progressive and well-organized, yet Jesus’ assessment of the church was so different to how this church came across to others.

This church had a great reputation among other churches. It seemed alive, prosperous, busy, and thriving but Jesus said it was dead. May God help us today to be so careful that we are not just concerned about reputation, names, appearances and activities. We must be careful that we are not just going through the motions. Things were so bad in this church that Jesus cautioned them that they had a few things still remaining, but He said they too were ready to die (v.2). They were the dying, dead church. What a sad way to describe a church, that which wasn’t dead was on life support.

We keep in mind that this was not John’s appraisal of the church, but Jesus’. They were more carnal than spiritual. They were more worldly than godly, more churchy than committed, more hip than holy. To the human eye, they looked good but rather shockingly, the Lord says that He had not found any of their works perfect (v.2). Not a single ministry was completed or carried out like it should. The church with all its ministries, bustling activities and busyness, was yet void of spiritual life and energy, void of the Spirit of God. What a warning for us in these last times!

It could be that the only positive thing about the church in Sardis was what Jesus says in verse 4: “Thou has a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments . . .” Thank God! Even in Sardis there was a remnant! More and more I am persuaded to believe even in the most dire and distressing of circumstances that God always has a remnant.

Thank God for the faithful few! Brethren, all it takes is a few. Jesus, the Holy One, is on the lookout for the few! The church in Sardis had become such a disaster and a scandal, dead and dying, but as Jesus surveyed the camp He deliberately took notice and remarked on the few. He singled them out, not just for honorable mention, but to highly promote and reward them. They could have been as dry and formal as the rest, but they chose not to contaminate themselves and become mixed up. They chose life!

I am reminded of Elijah’s 7000 who refused to bow to Baal. Gideon’s army cut down from 32,000 to 300. I think about Jesus’ eleven faithful disciples, when the masses turned back, He urgently queried the twelve saying “. . . will ye also go away” (John 6: 67). It really only takes a few to turn this world upside down with revival – just a few prayer warriors, just a few holy men and women to revolutionize the church and transform society. Will you be one of them? A few in Sardis who have not defiled their garments.