It is interesting to see the tactics of a Church Sardis. Does the gospel set us free or is it used by fallen leaders to control and to spiritually abuse? That is a good question! We have talked about how the pulpit has been abused by fallen leaders through innuendo and talk given to congregation members not from God but from man.
The latest innuendo was to be expected and predicted long before it was spoken. (When you have had experience with false prophets they become extremely predictable!) Fallen leaders recently talked of do-gooders. But what is a do-gooder? Is it someone who does good and expects something back or to receive favouritism, or is it to work for God to shine His light into peoples lives.
So lets look at things a little deeper. What does the Bible say about doing good. Let’s take a look.
First up we have a scripture from Matthew, specifically in chapter 5.
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Next up a Psalm of David in Psalm 37.
Psalm 37:3
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.”
Do you see? There are plenty of scriptures that tell us to ensure we are doing good, letting your light shine before others, so that good works maybe seen to which it glorifies God.
Another scripture is given to us in the letter of James chapter 2. Have a read.
James 2:14-17
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
Do you see? Without works your faith is dead. This is what the word of God tells us. What do these scriptures have to do with Church of Sardis tactics. Firstly what is the Church of Sardis. Jesus was not afraid to tell a church what it was! Here is Jesus calling out the Church of Sardis in Revelation 3 verse 1 to 3.
3 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”
The church of Sardis appeared alive but in fact was dead. They looked the part, people were being saved apparently, there were baptisms, there was preaching, but Jesus called it all a sham.
Example of a Church Sardis in our modern age
Don’t forget there are Churches out there today who are operating just like the Church of Sardis did 2000 years ago. They appear alive but are actually dead. Let us give you an example. One of our church members was given a task by God to make welfare officers compulsory in over 50 running clubs in Wales.
The reason for this was the running community was like the wild west when it came to bullying. There were no real safeguards in place to protect people from bullies. Until God showed up! In 2019 a campaign commenced with the local MP to get welfare officers made compulsory in running clubs. By the grace of God we won! Today there are welfare officers in place where bullying can be reported and dealt with.
This is how God protects people in todays modern age. He uses Christians to go and safeguard people. He uses sinful people to do good! This is why there are scriptures such as Matthew 5 v 16, Psalm 37 v 3 and James 2 v 14 to 17. God is a gracious God and gives you grace to go out and do mighty things.
Here is the letter confirming the campaigning undertaken to get welfare officers made compulsory in running clubs all over Wales.
This is an example why church congregants need to step up and do good and trust in God. He will use you to help society as He has helped the sporting community in Wales.
How has the church let people down in this campaigning!
We had the upper hand when it came to safeguarding people who wanted to take part in the running community. We wanted to go further. The reason this campaign to get welfare officers made compulsory in running clubs was because bullying was taking place when it came to people of faith taking part in the running community. People were being mocked because of their faith.
It was important to let people know that people who followed a faith whether it be Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu or whatever, they were allowed to take part in sporting environments such as the running community, Why? Because the governing authorities law have made it clear they are allowed to, it is not just a place where atheists and LGBT people are the only people welcome.
Churches were approached for support to make the running community more inclusive especially for those who follow a faith. However, Churches who claimed to care about justice were all about talk, puff and no substance. They were raising a church to look just like the church of Sardis.
Jesus said in this life you will have trouble. As confirmed in the Gospel of John.
John 16:33
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The churches that did not support us, the church of Sardis types have decided that trouble is cancelled. Leaders prefer their high salaries, their plane rides to countries all over the world, enjoying their luxurious journeys going in and out of airports and so much more. But when it comes to matters of justice like ensuring people of faith are allowed to take part in sports, they would not stand up to be counted. This was a disgrace.
This is proof that the church of Sardis is live and up and running in this modern age. They look alive but they are dead just as Jesus spoke these words in Revelation 3. We are indeed in the end times where false prophets are rising, the pulpit is being abused filled with innuendo and talk not of God but false doctrines being embraced and false disciples raised up.
We must pray and pray some more for the safeguarding of the church, to pray that false churches do not change the doctrine subtly and in a way where a fickle congregation can follow oblivious to what is really going on. Maybe this is the example that is needed for a fickle congregation to wake up.
Remember this scripture:
2 Corinthians 11:14
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
We must be ever watchful because the pulpit can potentially be used by the enemy. 1 Timothy 4 v 1 says:
4 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
This confirms that people can be used from the pulpit to teach deceiving doctrines. So lets keep praying.