Sermon With A Casket

“DEAD OR ALIVE?”

Rev. 3:1-3

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. There was a man who had a mental problem: he walked around all day believing he was dead. His family got tired and frustrated by his delusion because dead people don’t contribute anything to the living.

2. So his wife got him an appointment with a psychiatrist. After reasoning with the man unsuccessfully for 45 minutes, the psychiatrist got an idea and said, “Tell me, do dead people bleed?” The man answered, “Of course dead people don’t bleed!”

3. The psychiatrist got a needle and poked the finger of the deluded man. A drop of blood formed and ran down his finger. The psychiatrist said triumphantly, “Now what do you say to that?!”

4. The deluded man answered, “Well what do you know; dead men DO bleed!”

B. TEXT

1. “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.” Rev. 3:1-3 NASB

C. THESIS: VITAL SIGNS

1. Q - If you keeled over during this service and a doctor needed to determine whether you were alive or dead, what are the vital signs he would be looking for? [Heartbeat, Breathing, Eye-Movement, Brain activity, Reflexes, and so on.] These would demonstrate you’re alive.

2. This morning we’re looking for the vital signs of our spiritual life, asking this question – “ARE WE ALIVE?”

3. And you might reply, “Certainly I’m Alive!”

a. I got up this morning; b. I took a bath;

c. I ate breakfast d. I got dressed.

e. I brushed my teeth f. & I drove to church.

“OF COURSE I’M ALIVE!”

4. But that’s NOT what the Lord was referring to – mere existence or natural life – every human being has that, whether or not they trust in Christ.

5. But the Life referred to by the Lord is “spiritual life” that comes only from God by vital connection to Jesus Christ. This Life animates us. We should be directed by our spiritual life.

6. Paul said of a Christian woman, “But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives” 1 Tim. 5:6. “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” Rom. 8:6.

7. “BUT PASTOR, NONE OF THIS APPLIES TO ME BECAUSE I’M A GOOD CHRISTIAN!” There may be a difference between perception and reality!

8. The title of this message is “Alive or Dead?”

I. REPUTATION VS. REALITY

Many of us are known as being a “Christian.”

A. “YOU HAVE A NAME/REPUTATION OF BEING ALIVE,” JESUS SAID.

1. HOWEVER, WHAT WE’RE SUPPOSED TO BE versus WHAT WE ARE can be TWO DIFFERENT THINGS!

2. The Lord said of Sardis, “Others are fooled; I’m not. I know exactly where you are.”

3. Our Reputation is how we USED TO BE:

a. On fire,

b. Hungry for God,

c. Diligent in the things of God,

d. You were so in love with God…But are you now?

4. ILLUS. Alexander the Great had a soldier under him who also was named Alexander. The problem was, he was cowardly. After the younger was caught being cowardly, the

great General called him before him and asked, “What’s your name?” (He asked him 3X and the younger answered.) Alex the Great then said, “That’s MY name! Either live up to it or change your name!” That’s what the Lord Jesus says to us; “Either live up to My name of don’t call yourself a Christian!”

B. LORD TOLD THEM TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION

1. The Lord told the Christians at Sardis that if they didn’t do something, things would get worse. Why does the Lord say such things? Because He loves us! He wants us close!

2. Q – HOW CAN I KNOW IF I HAVE THE VITAL SIGNS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE?

a. Biologists have identified 7 signs of life found in every organism. I believe these are ordained by God as sign posts.

b. These correspond to the Seven Signs of Spiritual Life which indicate whether we’re alive in Jesus or not.

[textbook, Biology, Solomon, et. Al., Harcourt-Brace, Fort Worth, 1996. “Movement, Responsiveness, Eats, Growth, Excretes, Reproduces, Converts energy.”]

II. SEVEN SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL LIFE

A. MOVEMENT