Zombies . . . the living dead . . . I understand that, in some circles, it’s all the rage. I haven’t really paid much attention to “the genre” . . . but even without knowing anything about the movies and games, to talk of “the living dead” has a way of conjuring up kind of disgusting images and unpleasant implications. Not a term we would necessarily connect with the church. But that’s exactly what I read this morning in Revelation 3:1-5.

Jesus tells John to write to “the angel of the church in Sardis”. And this letter doesn’t start off with “Hi, how are you?” It doesn’t even start the way some of the other letters to the churches do with some form of commendation for the good stuff that’s happening in their midst. Instead, Jesus gets right to the point . . .

“I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.”    (Revelation 3:1b-2 ESV)

It seems that people who encountered the church at Sardis came away with an impression that this was a “happening church” . . . that things were alive in their meetings . . . that this must be what Christianity is about. But Jesus . . . “He who has the seven Spirits of God” . . . He who knows all things . . . the Head of the church says, I know your works . . . I know what’s keeping you busy . . . you are dead.”

What a tragedy!!! For a fellowship of Christians to be so busy, yet so dying from the inside-out. Maintaining the good show . . . feeding their reputation as an alive Church . . . but under the covers there’s decay and death . . . their reputation is a sham before the living Word, the Discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). It’s not about how others assess how “good” our church is . . . it’s all about how our Lord assesses our gathering.

Sometimes we can get “so fancy” with what we think our meeting together needs to encompass that we forget what really defines us and what the “One who walks among the churches” is really interested in. It’s not just about what we’re doing but how we’re doing it. It’s about the heart behind the programs . . . the reality behind the messages . . . the motives behind the motions. Openness . . . honesty . . . that’s what God’s people need before His Son, the Great Shepherd of the flock . . . a candid assessment against the Word of God . . . and, if and as necessary, repentance.

In contrast to Sardis, I then read about the church at Philadelphia in 3:7-13. No rebuke here . . . only encouragement to keep on keeping on even though they are being hammered by those who say they are Jews but are really of “the synagogue of Satan” (v.9). This is a group with “little strength” but who have kept Jesus’ word and have not denied His name (v.8). Faithful . . . that’s what marks Philadelphia . . . Faking It . . . that’s what marks Sardis.

How do I want my Christian life to be assessed . . . as putting on a good show . . . or as putting on a real faith?

And so, the risen Lord says to the living dead, “Wake up!” He can say that . . . and for those who have ears to hear, stuff happens. Dead come alive . . . truly alive . . . fully alive . . . more alive than when they were alive. He is the Resurrection and the Life . . . He is the Raiser of the Dead . . . even of those who maybe have been going through the motions . . . playing church . . . putting on a good show but with little substance. He will give life . . . ours is to return to the Life Giver.

O’ to be an alive church . . . by His grace . . . and for His glory. Amen?