The Snow White Church: A Call to Awakening
Revelation 3:1-6 (ESV) “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘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. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
The Church: A Battleground
The church is not merely a social gathering; it’s a battleground. Jesus declared, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” The enemy’s strategy is simple: resist, divide, and discourage. He aims to create a lukewarm, apathetic church, easily distracted by worldly pursuits.
The Seven Sleepers: A Church Profile
To illustrate the church’s potential pitfalls, let’s introduce seven archetypes:
Sneezy: Allergic to commitment and service, always too busy.
Grumpy: Constantly critical, never satisfied, majoring on minors.
Doc: Lost in doctrinal minutiae, neglecting practical application.
Bashful: Overwhelmed by fear and inaction, intimidated by leadership.
Dopey: Easily swayed by negative influences, believing the worst.
Happy: Content with superficial spirituality, avoiding deeper commitment.
Sleepy: Spiritually lethargic and disengaged, merely going through the motions.
These archetypes represent common attitudes that can hinder a church’s vitality.
The Call to Awakening
Jesus calls the church in Sardis to wake up. This is a call to action for every believer. We must:
- Identify the areas where we might resemble these archetypes.
- Repent of our complacency and lukewarmness, turning back to Christ.
- Recommit ourselves to following Christ wholeheartedly, prioritizing His kingdom.
- Engage in meaningful service and outreach, impacting our community.
- Pray fervently for revival, seeking God’s power to transform us.
Like Snow White, the church needs a prince to awaken her from her slumber. Jesus is that Prince. His Spirit can breathe new life into a dying church.
Let us strive to be a church that is alive, vibrant, and impactful. A church that reflects the glory of God and fulfills His mission in the world.
Next Steps:
- Join us in a week of focused prayer starting on Thursday, August 1st, at 6 AM and 8 PM.
- Participate in Life Connect to deepen your connection with the church.
- Identify ways to serve and engage within the church community.
- Invite others to join us on this journey of spiritual awakening.
Let’s together awaken the sleeping giant within the church and fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.