Blissfully Alive but Stone Cold Spiritually Dead

That's right you read the title correctly. Most modern day, contemporary Christian churches and for that matter many Christians themselves inside are in name only. They appear to be alive, many see them to be alive but when looked at spiritually (on the inside – from the heart, spirit and soul – Jer 17:10) they are stone cold dead, empty, notta, nothing! Now, please don't get all in a tizzy folks for these words are not mine but the Lord's. Let's pause for a moment to see what He said to just one of the seven churches (the church at Sardis) described by the Lord in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Remember, this is the Lord Himself speaking.

"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. 3- Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4- Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." -Rev 3:1-4 (KJV)

These churches are not church ages of the past as many teach – that's hogwash! They are reflective of the typical churches when John wrote the Book of Revelation and they are typical of churches and church goers right now in 2016 – today. These scriptures are as true now as they were then and mind you, these paint a clear picture of the spiritual condition of the modern day church. Friends, these words of truth in scripture must be taken seriously and not rejected because they don't sound "nice". Far too many of our so-called Christian churches led by wimpy, self-righteous, casual, and Biblically-worthless pastors sweep critical Biblical truths like this under the rug for they could care less about their flocks spiritual health. Pastors! There are souls at stake here!!

The Lord says in this scripture that He knows the works of the church and they even have a reputation of being alive but are really dead. Oh, but then there's the awful clincher – it gets worse. He says that their works are not complete, not right, imperfect, fake, dry and cold. Lots of bells and whistles, lots of glitter but all a facade, a masquerade, a veneer of religion.  He says to them to wake up and remember what is stated over and over again in His word. Key word here, key requirement needed, a key Biblical concept and command. What is it? REPENT!

Eeks! Bam! Ouch, that hurts! You're offending me! Really, c'mon, really? You mean that today? Seriously?

How many times has your pastor, priest, bishop or elder confronted you and their congregations with what the Bible says is sin and what the penalty is for sin and what happens if you don't do something about it? 

"For the wages of sin is death;" – Rom 6:23a (KJV)

Our churches today are, for all practical purposes, dead as a doornail! Oh yeah, they have a nice looking church building, fancy landscaping, pretty neon or dancing LED lights and signs out front. Lots of cars in the parking lot on Sunday mornings; lots of people inside. Some even a huge cross towering up into the sky but, but, but they are dead and lifeless inside. No spirituality, but ton's of rock music blazingly loud. Even skits, dramas and the like. Most all have a standard ritual worship structure but are still clearly dead in the Lord's eyes. Some with huge nicely dressed choirs singing oh so sweetly. Lots of going through the motions, a lifeless ritual, but empty and dry of spiritual vision inside. Slam on the spiritual measuring stick and their spirituality meter reads nope, notta, zero, nothing to see here, move along. They are DOA. Yep, tough words but they are Biblical.

Oh, I can hear the skeptics and scoffers say, "Whata mean, we have our Bibles and I don't agree with what you are saying!". I say, Ok then, tell me the last time your fancy-speaking pastors talked the WHOLE service about your sin. And another service dedicated to repentance? And how about another to healing and the peoples needs. Still another – weeping before the Lord at the altar for the gross and abominable sin of our nation. How many?  How many dwell on sin, what it is and what it means to God? You know, … what most people do today without giving a hoot about what the Bible says or what God thinks. Sin is creeping into our lives more and more: we are becoming more tolerant, more callous to Godly things, Biblically illiterate, prayer starved and we aren't even aware of it.

It's time to lose the religious rituals and quit playing the Lord! It's time to know Him for who He is.

Beloved, the Lord spoke directly to this type of church back in John's day and His message is applicable for us today. We Christians who attend churches must keep in the forefront of our meetings the solid rock of Biblical truths handed to us in scripture. We cannot make up our own agenda's, we cannot be wise in our own eyes, and most certainly we cannot fool around with the things of the Lord. We must teach scripture – the whole council of God – every time the church doors are open. We must face our sin and face it with repentance. For without repentance in a Christian's life, you will not see the Kingdom of God – Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Cor 6:9-10.

Also, the Lord says that if this dead church doesn't wake up, He will come as a thief in the night. This means that if you are not ready for His return, not reading His word and not studying Bible Prophecy, not watching or waiting; not being taught BP by your preachers, you will not be found ready to meet Him. Just as the five foolish bridesmaids were not found ready (Matt 25) therefore the door was shut in their faces. Do you want to face a shut door? Yes, I know hard truths – not mine but the Lord's.

This is serious friends, deadly serious. The dead, lifeless Christian churches today are in name only and if they don't get with the program and start teaching the real word of God, many will still be sitting there when the rapture takes place.

A warning: Get it together Pastors, Elders, Teachers and Priests for the Lord will hold you personally responsible for how you have handled the souls entrusted to your care!!

We still live in an age of grace so there's hope! The Lord says that the Sardis church has people who have not soiled their garments – they have walked knowing and confessing their sin. They are aware of their sin, they confess and repent of it. Are you one of these? For these will be worthy of meeting the Lord when the time comes in their lives. And their names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life.

Be encouraged! Let's put up the rest of Rom 6:23.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." – Rom 6:23 (KJV)

Be ready, be prepared in mind, soul and spirit for you never know when He'll will call your name into eternity. Amen!

 

-BPWatcher, Fiery Internet Preacher and BP Watchman

THE KING IS COMING — WILL YOU BE FOUND READY?