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Mk. 8:22-26 "They came to Bethsida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out side the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked "Do You See Anything?" He Looked up and said, "I see people;
Rev 3:1-6 "To the Angel of the church in Sardis write, these are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
vs 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
vs. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have recieved and heard; obey it, 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 caom to you.
vs. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
vs.5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never "BLOT OUT" his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and His angels.
vs. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.
Have you ever seen a church that was dying and dead, completely lifeless? A church that was satisfied within itself, with keeping things the way they had always been??
A church resting on its laurels (fame, victory) and past history; a church that reveled in what use to be. This is the picture of the church at Sardis. This church had a excellent reputation and was highly respected by the community, "but was dead and lifeless."
People on the outside considered this church to be a spiritual church; full of life. However, Jesus saw beneath the surface and declared that it was dead (spiritually dead).
There is little hope for a dead church ever becoming alive unless the preacher (minister) is set on fire!!! There can be little awakening, little stirring, little quickening little life within a church unless the preacher is set aflame!!!!
Note that there is no commendation, none whatsoever given to this church...This means that its Sin is one of the most serious problems that a church can have...What was the problem???
It was a "Dying Church," a life less church just like some of our churches today...we have the Choir, we have skilled Musicians, but "NO SPIRIT. This church had Works---all sorts of programs, ministries and activities.
Other churches looked upon this church as being progressive, alive, well-attended, properous, busy and full of good fellowship. It had the works, the right beliefs and doctrine, and it had all the ministries and activities....
But note what the Lord says: "It was dying and lifeless." Vs. 2 says that it was not yet totally dead; a few living thingfs still remained, but they were quickly dying....
Lord I maybe dying but "Don't Blot Out My Name Until I Can get Focused." I wish that I had time to really deal with this on Fb tonight......but look at "vs. 23b and 24" Jesus asked the question "Do You See Anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."
I am convinced that all people have the capacity for Godly Courage and Goal Setting. There will be things to attempt to put our Spiritual Goal "OUT OF FOCUS." Whether they be the Distractions of Nehemiah or the Adversities of Job, when we " STAY IN FOCUS" Spiritually, we can do like Paul in Philipians 3:13-14:
Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The FOCUS of Jesus Incarnation was to be born and to Die for our sins.
Yet, His Ministry waas tempted to take a different tone as He approached the Cross. The Word of God stabilized Christ and kept Our Redemption In Focus..Christ declared, "My meet is to do the Will of Him that sent Me."
Being in Physical Need attempted to blur His preception when His own concern turned to "the foxes and nests of the birds." --meaning permanent dwelling space.
The horrors of "death on a rugged cross" tried to blur His mission as He prayed to His Father: "if it be possible, let this cup pass." .. The criticizing theif dying on his left attempted to entice Him to come down from the Cross.
CHRIST'S FOCUS AS OUR SAVIOR WAS TO CONQUER DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE --- no Calvary, no Resurrection!!!! IF WE ARE TO MAKE LIFE'S JOURNEY SUCCESSFULLY, WE MUST "KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSED ON OUR LORD AND SAVIOR."
"LET THE WORD OF GOD BE A LAMP TO YOUR FEET AND A LIGHT TO YOUR PATH." .. I heard Paul say in (2Timothy 2:19) "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH THEM THAT ARE HIS. AND LET EVERYONE THAT NAMETH OF CHRIST DEPART FROM INIQUITY."
****SUPT. J.R. (RAY) ROSS****
