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.  – Revelation 3:1

I often wonder what would be said “To the angel of the church in America.”  I hate to be so hard on American Christianity, but if we asked a hundred random people across the country what they thought about the church in America, what would be the consensus?  Right now, do we even have the reputation of being alive? 

This past week, I got to visit the Cayman Islands.  I knew before I got there that I wanted to send some postcards from the post office in Hell (just look it up if you don’t know) and go to Seven Mile Beach.  If you ever get to cruise to the Caymans, never accept a ride from the Taxi pushers rushing you to accept a ride for $12 a person.  If you simply walk one block, you can catch one of the Public Busses for $2.50. 

Our driver was the coolest.  I talked to him, and he answered so many of my questions.  I steered the conversation towards the Lord.  I led with, “Back home, we can’t drive more than a couple of miles without seeing a church, are there a lot around here?”  He said, “Oh sure, lots of churches!”  He then proceeded to point out every church we passed.  We passed quite a few churches on our way to Hell.  I thought of how many churches most individuals passed by over the course of his or her life on their way to Hell. 

I went ahead and went for it: “So do you go to church?”  I got the same response that I get here an awful lot: “I used to.”  He said he used to go to a little Pentecostal church that he enjoyed.  When I asked him why he didn’t still go, he simply said, “They used to be about helping the community, now they just keep money for themselves.”  All I knew to do was say, “Well, you keep serving the Lord, just because His people aren’t that great doesn’t mean that He isn’t.  I know He is the best thing ever happen to me.”  He kind of assured me that He still thought well of God.

Our time together quickly came to an end.  I paid him twice as much as he asked for and told him that I really enjoyed talking to him.  He was such a good dude.

What in the world would Jesus say to His church today?

Lord, more importantly, what would You say to me?  Sometimes I feel like I have the reputation of being alive and I know I’m dead inside.  Other times, I feel so alive, and others would consider me dead.  All I know is that You are the best thing this life offers.  You’ve done so much for my heart, mind, and life these 33 years that I have been saved.  Help me be truly alive in You!  Help me lead people to be truly alive!  I know I can stumble so easily and fall so quickly.  My hope is not in myself and my own efforts . . . my hope is in You.  May Your church find it’s true hope in You once again.  Revive us again!  Fill each heart with Thy love!  May each soul be rekindled with fire from above!  Hallelujah, Thine the glory!  Hallelujah, Amen!  Hallelujah, Thine the glory, revive us again!