Wake Up: A Letter to the Sleeping Church
Wake Up: A Letter to the Sleeping Church
Sardis was a city that had it all. Luxury. Security. Prestige. It was the crown jewel of Asia Minor, perched high on Mount Timolos, its walls surrounded by steep cliffs that made it nearly impossible to breach. They didn’t just feel safe—they were convinced they were untouchable. They minted some of the world’s first gold coins, lived in the lap of wealth, and ruled with confidence.
But what took centuries to build came crashing down—twice. Both times, Sardis was defeated not because it was overpowered, but because it stopped watching. The enemy climbed a hidden path up the mountain… and found no guards. No resistance. No one watching.
That’s the history Jesus held up like a mirror to the church in Revelation 3. “You have a reputation for being alive,” He said, “but you are dead.”
The message isn’t just to Sardis. It’s to us.
Overconfidence and Complacency
Spiritual overconfidence is deceptive. It disguises itself as maturity, when in reality it may be the beginning of drift. It says, "I've been walking with Jesus long enough to relax a little." It idolizes past victories and assumes that previous success equals current faithfulness.
But Jesus didn’t praise Sardis for what they had done. He called them out for what they had stopped doing.
Here are 7 signs that overconfidence and complacency may be creeping into your faith:
Forgetting God’s Faithfulness — When we stop remembering how God brought us through, we begin to rely on ourselves.
Trusting in Wealth or Security — Material comfort can give us the illusion of spiritual health.
Assuming God’s Presence Without Pursuing It — Like Samson, we can go through the motions without realizing the Spirit has left.
Neglecting to Guard Our Hearts — Everything flows from the heart. When it goes unchecked, compromise enters quietly.
Pride in Past Wins — Even spiritual victories can become stumbling blocks if we place our confidence in them instead of God.
Lack of Urgency — Obedience delayed is often obedience denied. We assume we’ll have time later.
Tolerating Small Compromises — A little leaven eventually leavens the whole lump. Drift never stays small.
Jesus’ Call: Strengthen What Remains
Revelation 3:2–3 gives us the antidote:
Be watchful
Strengthen what remains
Remember what you received
Hold fast
Repent
This is not a harsh command—it’s a loving invitation.
Jesus isn’t just pointing out what’s dying. He’s calling out what’s still alive. Even if it’s small. Even if it’s weak. Even if it’s barely hanging on. He can work with what remains.
The Promise for Overcomers
For those who respond, Jesus makes a promise: white garments, a name secure in the Book of Life, and the joy of hearing your name confessed before the Father.
You are not defined by your drift. You are not stuck in your spiritual sleep. You are not too far gone.
If there is breath in your lungs, there is life to strengthen.
Whether you were baptized this Sunday or still wrestling with the call to wake up, the Spirit is still speaking: “Strengthen what remains.”
You don’t have to fake being alive. You can be made new.
📺 Watch the full message
https://youtu.be/ifU-x9lFysw
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