Dead or Alive: Lessons from Sardis
In June of 2024, the BBC reported that 76-year-old Bella Montoya in Ecuador was declared dead following a suspected stroke, placed in a coffin, and taken to a funeral parlor for a vigil ahead of her burial. Five hours later, she was found to be alive after the coffin was opened to change her clothes. You are welcome to read the article for yourself here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxee39ml8jgo
Could you imagine the stress of that discovery? I was impacted by the physician in the story as he stressed the necessity of careful examination. That advice aptly applies to the church as we reflect and apply the message to the Church of Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6. We risk being dead and relying on the glory days of the past rather than the current vital signs.
Like Sardis, we must be watchful daily to guard the Gospel and remember its purity. We must view repentance as more than just our salvation story. Repentance should be a daily action as we are molded by the Spirit and respond to correction and conviction. May we walk intentionally in our pursuit of Jesus together, then we cleanse ourselves and remain on a mission to carry hope to the world.
