Renewing Our Commitment to Reality

Series: Renewing the Church's Mission

Summary

An autopsy is a special surgical operation performed by specially trained physicians on a dead body. Autopsies can be ordered when there is suspicion of foul play or when there is some public health concern. In one sense, the first person to perform an autopsy was Jesus Christ. He didn’t perform it on the dead, but on the living dead in a city called Sardis. Unfortunately, this condition of being among the living dead is not confined to just this one church in the first century. Any church or professing Christian may be among the living dead. Or, if not dead, asleep, and in need of being awakened. Therefore, Jesus’ diagnosis of the condition and His description for a cure apply just as much to churches and individuals today.

  1. The Diagnosis (3:1). How can we know whether or not we’re among the dead or the living? Ask: Do we care more about looking good or being good, the form or the relationship, fitting in or reflecting Him, the past or the future, comfort or outreach?

  2. The cure (3:2-3). God’s word must shape our thinking, direct our plans, mold our character and guide our behavior. We are also to repent. It means to change our direction and behavior.

  3. The motivation (3:4-6). In heaven, we will be dressed in white, which represents purity and cleansing from any defilement. Also, our names will never be erased from the registry of heaven. And He will confess us before His Father and the angels (Matt.10:32; Lk.12:8).

Takeaway: Life is too short to play the hypocrite. Who wants to play games with God? Listen to His diagnosis and implement His cure in order to enjoy His promises!

Community Groups

Community Groups are sermon-based small groups (10 or less) that meet in a variety of places, including homes. Those who cannot participate in a Community Group are encouraged to download the discussion questions for part of their personal Bible study and/or for family discussion. 

Speaker: Rich Schoenert

October 18, 2020

Revelation 3:1-6

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