“I know what you are doing —
you have a reputation for being alive,
but in fact you are dead!
Wake up, and strengthen what remains,
before it dies too!
For I have found what you are doing
incomplete in the sight of my God.”
-Revelation 3:2
We now move on to the next Messianic community called out in the 7 letters of Revelation: the Congregation at Sardis.
Whenever I think of this congregation, I think of the big mega churches like Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church.
Or any of the other major evangelical organizations that have turned the original messianic faith into some huge Christian retailing business.
These folks prioritize fast food quantity over quality when it comes teaching the Word of God.
Think of names like Joel Olsteen, Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes and Joseph Prince among others.
I would also consider churches who hold to the so-called “Health & Wealth Gospel” to be of this ilk.
The big guns who promote this “Name it & Claim it” or “Blab it and grab it” theology are represented by folks like Kenneth Copeland. Kenneth Hagin and Benny Hinn.
What’s sad about these churches is because they’re so large and vibrant, they fool thousands into thinking they’re in harmony with the Lord.
But Yeshua calls out their delusion.
He makes it clear that while they might think they’re alive, they’re really dead inside.
The big takeaway here is…
Don’t judge the legitimacy of any church or Messianic Organization by their size alone…
Or how many views their videos get on YouTube…
Or that you see their ads popping up all over the place.
Because chances are high, these big business Christian organizations are superficial as all heck.
And your chances getting a strong grounding in the Word by attending their services are about the same as me winning the lottery 2 days in a row when I haven’t even purchased a ticket.
Ya feel me?
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited
sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful
outward, but are within full of dead men’s
bones, and of all uncleanness.”
-Matthew 23:27
Had to google Joseph Prince. From his church site I was able to learn –
“Pastor Prince’s ministry as a teacher, conference speaker, and author continues to transform many lives, setting people free from the heavy yoke of the law . . .”
I find this convicting, personally: “I have found what you are doing incomplete in the sight of my God.” Master, strengthen weak knees!
Thanks for reading Eric.