Reputation VS Reality
Growing Pains
Pastor Scott Jaeger

1 “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. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, 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 come to you.

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. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. —Revelation 3:1-6 (NIV)

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. —Matthew 23:27 (NIV)

The Problem:

- They

but were only through the .

Signs of a Dead Church:

1)

on

2) Living


Steps to Experience a Spiritual Awakening:

2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent… —Revelation 3:2-3a (NIV)

1)

something is

2)

what

3)

what you’ve

4)

and

Reflection Questions:

  • In what areas of your faith are you going through the motions right now?
  • Are you relying on your past service to God to justify an extended season of not engaging in His mission?
  • Are there areas of your life you keep hidden from your Christian friends to protect your reputation?
  • Who are the people that can and will love you enough to help you realize there is sin in your life?
  • What is the most critical weak spot in your faith right now that needs strengthening?