Wake Up!

“The family stopped at a roadside motel for the night, and early the next morning Mom was getting things organized in the car trunk. Still groggy, she stepped back into what she thought was her room, saw a sleeping man she presumed to be her husband, and yelled, “Get out of bed!” Upon closer examination she realized that this was not her room or her husband, and as she quickly left the room she heard him exclaim, “Boy, this is some wake-up service!”*

Abrupt and forceful wake-up calls are rarely pleasant but sometimes very necessary. In the book of Revelation, the Risen Lord had a wake-up call for the church in Sardis. This group of believers in Asia Minor had a reputation for being alive. But it was just a facade. Jesus looked past the outward props and declared that they were really dead inside (Rev. 3:1). Apparently they hadn’t completely flat-lined yet because he told them to “Wake up!” from their spiritual slumber. There was yet time to strengthen the vital signs that remained (Rev. 3:2).

How had this church come to this life-threatening situation? They had forgotten what they had been taught about true spiritual life. They had grown lax in applying the truth in their lives. So the remedy would be to remember and repent (Rev. 3:3). They couldn’t keep doing what they had been doing and expect to live. Changes had to be made or judgment would come.

Thankfully, the group had one good thing going for them. There were still some disciples who hadn’t traveled with the majority down the path of forgetfulness and sin (Rev. 3:4). Hopefully the influence of these faithful ones would lead the rest in a resurgence of life. Even though they were on life support, there was yet time to be overcomers and be truly alive (Rev. 3:5).

Do I need a wake-up call? “The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11–12)

God loves you!

Mike

*preaching.com