耶稣写信给撒狄教会，目的是要唤醒昏昏欲睡的信徒；祂所说的，有没有一些可应用在今日的教会呢？任何教会群体，尤其是一个“按名是活的”教会，都不会以这封信为荣的。
看到有人有力和生动地传讲神的话、圣礼如常进行、有很多人参与教会活动、收入又达到预算，教会往往会松懈下来，以为一切都很稳妥，从表面看来，这些活动毕竟都意味着这是一个健全和蓬勃的教会。
然而，对怀着这种心态的教会，耶稣却严厉地宣告：“按名你是活的，其实是死的！”被揭露出来的真相实在令人震惊！除了只是按名活着之外，教会群体也必须把他们领受和听到的真理实行出来（启示录 1:3）。
顺服－领受神的话、遵守圣礼、又让这些神所赐的恩典塑造我们的生活方式－ 这些便是耶稣期待见到的。在结束登山宝训时，耶稣这样说：“凡听见我这话就去行的，好比一个聪明人，把房子盖在磐石上”（马太福音 7:24）。
所以，我们不要单是表面看来活着，乃是要做得更好，让我们务必要做到聆听和顺服吧。
主啊，你的话比精金更宝贵。求你向我们的心灵说话、帮助我们顺服和把你所教导我们的实行出来。奉你的名祈求，阿们。
启示录 3:1-3
1“你要写信给撒狄教会的使者说：‘那有神的七灵和七星的说：我知道你的行为，按名你是活的，其实是死的。
2你要警醒，坚固那剩下将要衰微的，因我见你的行为在我神面前，没有一样是完全的。
3‘所以要回想你是怎样领受、怎样听见的，又要遵守，并要悔改。若不警醒，我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到，你也决不能知道。
“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up!” - Revelation 3:1-2
In his letter to the church in Sardis, Jesus aims to awaken sleepy believers. Does any of this apply to our churches today? This would not be a flattering letter to any church community, especially for one that had “a reputation of being alive.”
Churches often allow themselves to be lulled into believing that all is well when the Word of God is preached with power and skill, the sacraments are celebrated, church programs are filled with participants, and budgets are met. By all appearances, these activities speak of a church’s health and vitality.
But Jesus makes a bold statement to churches in this mindset: “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead!” This is a shocking revelation! Instead of just having a reputation for being alive, the church community must put into practice what they have received and heard (Revelation 1:3).
Obedience—receiving God’s Word, celebrating the sacraments, and letting these gifts of God shape how we live—is what Jesus looks for. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice,” Jesus said at the end of his Sermon on the Mount, “is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24).
So let’s do more than merely look alive. Let’s make sure we listen and obey.
Your Word is more precious than gold, Lord. Speak into our hearts, and help us to obey, to put into practice what you have given us. In your name we pray. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
