KHANDIE'S KORNER - June 27, 2004

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Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

ROSE.gif (9864 bytes)This Weeks Message- (scripture taken from King James Version)

-PART 5 OF 7-
 “THE DEAD CHURCH” 

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.   If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. ”  (Rev 3:1-6)

Outwardly, having the appearance of being alive while inwardly, they are dead…..

The church at Sardis (Capital of Lydia, an area known for it’s worship of the idol “Artemis” the “so-called” goddess of fertility) was located about 30 miles Southeast of Thyratira, and is the subject of the fifth letter written to those described as being “The Dead Church.”

The life of the body is the spirit.  When the spirit departs, the body is then considered dead.  Such as it were in the body of believers at Sardis.  Through the observation of man, everything about this church “outwardly” appeared perfect, but the Lord observed the inward and found much imperfections thereof.  They had become “spiritually dead”, despite their known reputation of being “spiritually vital.”  The name they had made of themselves as being a church that was “alive” and “godly”, was in essence an illusion, for the only Godliness they possessed was that of having a “form” of it.  They lacked the true power of God because they had not the Spirit, and what little there was left among them was quickly perishing as well.  The Lord warns them to strengthen the little that did remain, and to “be watchful”, as it is clear the cause of their spiritual death was due to the fact that they’d let their spiritual guard down.  They no longer were careful in their watch against sin, but became slothful with the exception of a few there whom the Lord acknowledged as “not having defiled their garments” (not have given themselves over to sin and had remained faithful to The Lord), and for such he declared would walk with him in white, for they were worthy. 

There are many today as there were in the church at Sardis who fit perfectly into what would be labeled as “The Dead Church”.  They have become “spiritually dead”.  They appear to be full yet they are truly empty.  They appear to be “on fire” outwardly, while inwardly they’ve long since doused the flame.   They work their works without perfection, for they’ve lost their purpose for the works, as they are no longer done through genuine love, but to be seen and praised by man.  They are so caught up in the “outward” that they’ve neglected the “inward”, and have removed the Spirit from leadership by welcoming the things of the flesh.  Services have become ritualistic and robotic, where man dictates and the Holy Spirit waits his turn.  The Spirit is not given opportunity to “have his way” and fill the sheep of the Lord with His presence, but is welcome at set times, and removed abruptly when man believes he has been filled.  However, the truth of the matter is in such cases, they’ve never truly experienced the presence of Almighty God, despite the illusion they cast off as having been in the presence of his Glory.  For only a TRUE hunger and desire for Him will usher in his presence.   Not by words alone, but from the depth of ones soul, for he CANNOT be manipulated, nor will he appear and disappear upon command.   The Spirit of the Lord comes where He is indeed welcomed.  He comes not to put on a show as he’s not about theatrics, but about POWER and comes to draw us into that perfect place of fellowship with our Father.  Many within “the dead church” attempt to operate in the things of the spirit WITHOUT the Spirit, and this is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to do.  Walking in trespass and sin, spiritual ignorance, being carnal minded, hypocrisy, unbelief, alienation from God and the like, all will result to “spiritual death”.   WITHOUT the Spirit, the body is dead….WITHOUT the Leadership of THE SPIRIT, there is NO leadership….

Those of “the dead church” problems begin when they take their focus off the spirit and by letting down their spiritual guard, they are open to sin and deception.  This may even come in the form of “godliness”, but may not be the “God Commanded” thing to do.   Because it may “look” good, doesn’t mean it is indeed good or needful.  For example, to build great buildings for the “spoken purpose” of congregating the sheep may appear to be the “godly” thing to do, but the “God Commanded” thing to do would be to first FEED the sheep.  For while much focus is being placed on glorifying and expanding the beauty of the building, The TRUE temple where The Holy Spirit is housed, The body of Christ, his beloved sheep go hungry both physically and spiritually.  While the building of stone is strengthen, the body is weakened and glory is given to the building while the Spirit is no more.  Having the body WITHOUT the Spirit will produce NO good fruit.  We must be spiritually minded in ALL things.

Just as the church at Sardis was commanded of the Lord to “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent”  so it is to all who’ve become spiritually dead in the things of The Lord.  Remember the blessedness of the Lord, his grace, his mercy, his unfailing love, and how it was you received Him and cling to this!  RETURN BACK to your first Love in sincere repentance, giving the Holy Spirit His rightful place in you!  If you’ve CONFESSED Jesus as LORD of your life, LET HIM INDEED BE SUCH!  Remember that without the Spirit, the body is as dead!  It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth NOTHING!

I Love you all so very much.  Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember:  Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)……..

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

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Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God
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Find true peace now.
Find True Peace Now

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