## Dead or Alive?

## Revelation 3:1

Shortly after the tragedy of September 11th, our president spoke publicly concerning the terrorists and he used a phrase saying he wanted them 'Dead or Alive'. Now that goes back to the old west when a criminal was so evil that he must be brought in, and it didn't matter whether it was 'dead or alive'. Now that may work fine for terrorists and outlaws, but not for churches!

(Rev 3:1) 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.

Today we at Grace Baptist Temple, are commemorating 41 years of ministry here in Bloomington. What has made the difference between our church and those that have come and gone? Have you ever wondered what would cause a church to die and close its doors? Should the Lord tarry His coming, will this church still be here in another 41 years? These questions are important for us to consider.

Of course we must understand that the church is made, not of wood, steel, and concrete, but it is made up of people! People like you and me! Now that puts a different spin on the idea of dead church doesn't it? That means it isn't some distant clinical organism that has died; it has to do with where we are at spiritually!

This morning I would like us to be challenged from God's Word on what might cause us to be equated to the church of Sardis, that we might have a name like we are alive, but in reality we are dead! Dead or alive? Ultimately the answer will be a reflection of ourselves.

I. No Burden For Others

A. Listen carefully.

1. Every member here would say that they care about the eternal souls of others.

2. We would all say, and perhaps ease our consciences by the fact that we give will give over $70K to missions this fiscal year.

3. As wonderful as that may be, it does not mean that we have a burden for souls.

B. When we have a burden to reach others:

1. We will not be satisfied with writing a check each week to send to the missionary.

2. We will want to talk to others about Christ.

3. We will desire to see them saved, before it is too late.

4. When our vision turns inward, it is a sign that we are dying as a church.

C. People will spend eternity in hell, if we are not burdened for their soul.

(John 4:35) Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

1. Jesus spoke these words immediately after His interaction with the woman at the well.

2. We are the life-line to those who are dying in sin.

3. If we lose our burden for the lost around us, we are on our way to becoming a dead church.

II. No Hunger For The Word Of God

(Psa 119:103) How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

A. I am not a great orator.

1. Some of you are saying, "Tell me something we don't know."

2. Ok, I don't have to be a great orator.

3. All I have to do is be faithful to preach and teach the Word of God.

4. It is only through the Word of God that God will choose to work anyway.

5. Yet some are looking for something that will tickle their ears and make them feel good about themselves.

B. No longer hunger for the Word reflects a dying people and a dying church.

1. The lost man has no desire to hear the Word of God, because he cannot understand it.

2. The worldly Christian has no desire to hear the Word of God, because the cares of this world get in the way.

3. What does that say about the many churches that no longer emphasize the preaching and teaching of the Word?

III. No Desire For Christian Fellowship

(Heb 10:25) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

A. We are family…but at times, we are dysfunctional!

B. What does that mean?

1. Dysfunctional is a fancy word for something that doesn't work.

2. The local church is a family, but often we don't act like it.

3. Some of our members are totally selfish, others are immature, and still others act as if they don't have a clue as to what being a part of a family means.

C. That is no excuse to forsake the family.

1. Clinton, Jean Hale and David.

2. With horror, we read about someone who leaves a child in a dumpster.

3. We hear of families who abandon the elderly members in a nursing home.

4. We hear of such things and are horrified and angered by such a thought.

5. But so often we forsake our local church family…it is all a matter of priorities.

6. When members of the local church determine to forsake the fellowship it reflects impending death.

IV. No Willingness To Serve With Sacrifice

A. Thoughts on sacrifice.

(Rom 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

1. A sacrifice had no personal rights.

2. A sacrifice was in total control of another.

3. Paul tells us here that we are to be the sacrifice, and God is to be the One in control.

4. Isaiah, said, 'Here am I Lord, send me.'

5. Can we honestly say that we are willing to obey Romans 12:1?

B. Thoughts on service.

1. To serve means to work.

2. The biblical picture time and again, is one of the master and the slave.

3. Are we willing to work for God?

4. Jesus never said that it would be easy.

(Luke 9:23) "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

5. What service are we actively involved in?

6. Are we a living sacrifice? Are we serving Him?

C. What must we do? Cf Rev. 3:1-3a

1. Repentance = change of mind that results in a change of action.

2. We must determine to turn it around.

3. Have we lost our burden for souls - repent!

4. Do we no longer hunger for the Word of God? - repent!

5. Have we forsaken our church family? - repent!

6. Do we serve with sacrifice? - repent!