Podcasts about Sardis

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 4–7; Revelation 3 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this August 29th episode, Hunter guides us through Ezekiel 4–7 and Revelation 3. In Ezekiel, we encounter vivid and sobering signs of the judgment coming upon Jerusalem. Ezekiel acts out the siege of the city, revealing the consequences of violence, idolatry, injustice, and a people who have placed their confidence in something other than God. The warnings are difficult, but they call God's people to wake up and see the truth about the path they have chosen. Then, in Revelation 3, Jesus speaks to the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. He calls the sleeping to awaken, encourages the faithful to persevere, and confronts those who have become comfortable and self-sufficient. The church in Laodicea believes it is rich and needs nothing, yet Jesus tells them that they cannot see their true condition. Still, Jesus does not abandon them. He stands outside the door and knocks, inviting them to open their lives to him and share a meal as friends. Today's devotion asks us to consider whether success, comfort, possessions, or self-reliance have quietly pushed Jesus to the margins of our lives. His knocking is not the sound of condemnation. It is the persistent invitation of love, calling us back into communion and the true riches of his presence. TODAY'S DEVOTION: He stands at the door and knocks. In the vision given to John, we meet Jesus outside the door of the church in Laodicea. The door has been closed from the inside by people who have become content with their own wealth and self-sufficiency. They say, "I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing." They believe they are thriving. They imagine that their success and resources are evidence that everything is well. But Jesus sees what they cannot see. They are poor. They are blind. They are exposed. Their wealth has blinded them to their need. Success and comfort have taken the place of communion with Christ. They have become so confident in what they possess that they no longer recognize the One standing outside the door. It is a sobering picture. This is not only a warning for churches. It is a warning for each one of us. The seduction of self-reliance can quietly push Jesus away from the center of our lives. We begin to trust our own resources, abilities, achievements, intelligence, or reputation. We may even confuse outward success with inward health. We imagine that we are living fully, while slowly exchanging the life of Christ for something far smaller. But the beautiful thing in this passage is the persistence of Jesus. He does not abandon the church. He does not walk away in disgust. He does not stop loving those who have pushed him outside. He stands at the door and knocks. Jesus continues to invite them into fellowship. He says that if anyone hears his voice and opens the door, he will come in and share a meal with that person as friends. This is not the voice of rejection. It is the voice of love. Jesus wants to open our eyes. He wants us to see the depth of our need and the greatness of his grace. He wants to free us from the illusion that we can create life for ourselves. The true riches are not found in what we possess. The true riches are found in him. In Christ, we are invited into communion, friendship, belonging, and the fullness of the life he shares with the Father and the Spirit. Maybe there is a door in your life that has been closed to Jesus. Maybe there is an ambition, fear, resentment, possession, relationship, or sense of self-sufficiency that has taken his place at the center. Listen today. He is still knocking. His knocking is not an angry demand. It is a gracious invitation to return, to open the door, and to receive the life that only he can give. Let him in. Sit with him. Receive the true riches of his presence. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

In this message, Samuel Goulet continues The Mountain Church's study of the seven churches in Revelation by focusing on Pergamum, Sardis, and Philadelphia. He calls the church to reject compromise, wake up from spiritual apathy, and step into the authority God gives His people through His Word and Spirit. With practical encouragement for families, church community, and personal discipleship, Samuel challenges listeners to live awake, repentant, and spiritually engaged—holding fast to faith, resisting the enemy, and trusting God to restore strength, purity, and authority where it is needed most.

Sardis had a reputation for being alive, and Jesus called it dead. In part five of The Overcomer Within, Pastor Tom asks the question underneath that diagnosis: is your walk with God real, or are you living off what people used to see in you? He unpacks the difference between doing things for God and actually knowing Him, and shows how Jesus still offers a way back to anyone willing to wake up. If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to return to the faith you once had, this message is for you.

The Church in Sardis was dying and Jesus exhorted them to wake up—in short, He was offering spiritual defibrillator paddles. In this study, we explore Jesus' statement to the church (where nothing good is said about them), but are reminded that even in the deadest, driest, and darkest places, there is always a remnant.------------» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/» Discover more Christ-centered teaching and resources from Nathan Johnson that will help you grow spiritually by checking out his website at: https://deeperchristian.com/

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REVELATION 3: 1-6

The Lord is attempting to breathe air into the life of a few believers in the church because there is still hope. It takes just a few of a small minority to stand up for the Lord and His church.

Passage: Revelation 3:1-6 Date: 9 August 2026 Speaker: Noble McNeely Summary: In the message to the church in Sardis, we discover a powerful reminder about the dangers of complacency in faith. Christ calls us to wake up and examine the reality behind our reputation, urging us to reconnect with the heart of our mission. This sermon challenges us to ensure our spiritual lives are vibrant and genuine, not merely a façade of activity or tradition. Links: Church Website Watch on YouTube Contact Us

The Lord is attempting to breathe air into the life of a few believers in the church because there is still hope. It takes just a few of a small minority to stand up for the Lord and His church.

What ultimately has your attention? This week, we continue our Revelation series through Jesus' letters to Thyatira and Sardis, unpacking compromise, complacency and the call to wholehearted worship.

Sardis, an ancient city that assumed itself unconquerable—yet was surprised twice and taken over by its enemies—is the focus of Jesus' fifth letter, of which nothing positive is stated about the church within its city. In this study, we examine the history and geography of Sardis as well as how Jesus describes Himself (as the one who has the seven stars and the seven spirits) and why that becomes so important to the church in Sardis.------------» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/» Discover more Christ-centered teaching and resources from Nathan Johnson that will help you grow spiritually by checking out his website at: https://deeperchristian.com/

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Christ loves His church. So much so that He is constantly on the lookout for anything that might hurt the church—whether it is false teaching, sin, or compromise. It is because of this love that Jesus wrote seven letters to ancient churches that are still relevant to us today. What can we learn from these letters? That's our topic in this episode of Foreshadows Report!Learn more about Steve and his books at https://SteveMillerResources.comProduced by Unmutable™

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The church at Sardis in Revelation 3 had a name for being alive — a solid reputation and a busy calendar — yet Jesus told them plainly that they were dead; what was missing, and how would a church today know whether the same words applied to it?

Send us Fan MailNoteshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1ueAU1cb9q-jeRmyOSHJgcSv9PtaHtspW/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=100334557285826442166&rtpof=true&sd=true

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Kencan Dengan Tuhan - Senin, 3 Agustus 2026Bacaan: Aku tahu segala pekerjaanmu. Engkau dikatakan hidup, padahal engkau mati!" (Wahyu 3:1)Renungan: Semua orang tentunya ingin memiliki reputasi yang baik. Reputasi atau nama baik ini tidak datang begitu saja, melainkan sebagai hasil perbuatan atau tindakan kita. Namun, banyak orang ingin dikenal dengan reputasi yang baik sekalipun sebenarnya hidup mereka berbeda dengan yang dicitrakan di depan orang lain. Mereka lebih khawatir tentang anggapan orang dibandingkan fakta yang sebenarnya. Bahkan ada tokoh publik yang membayar konsultan untuk melekatkan citra tertentu pada diri mereka. Berbagai lembaga atau perusahaan melakukan banyak cara, bahkan membayar biaya iklan yang mahal demi mendapatkan reputasi yang baik, tentunya dengan tujuan memperoleh untung yang lebih besar. Kita dapat menjalani hidup bersandiwara di hadapan manusia dengan hanya menampilkan hal-hal yang baik sambil menyembunyikan sifat buruk kita. Namun, semua ini tak dapat kita tutupi dari Allah Yang Maha Tahu. Pendapat-Nya tentang kitalah yang terpenting dan paling menentukan. Orang-orang menilai jemaat di Sardis sebagai gereja yang hidup. Namun, Tuhan menilai mereka sebagai gereja yang mati. Sekalipun mereka melakukan berbagai macam pelayanan, tetapi ternyata tak satu pun pekerjaan itu beres menurut Tuhan. Karenanya, Dia meminta mereka untuk bangun, serta menguatkan apa yang masih tersisa yang masih dapat diperjuangkan. Tuhan memperingatkan agar mereka bertobat serta kembali kepada firman yang telah mereka terima sebelumnya. Sehebat apa pun anggapan orang tentang diri, keluarga, karir, atau pelayanan kita, semuanya tak berarti jika Tuhan menilai sebaliknya. Tuhan Yesus memberkati. Doa:Tuhan Yesus, berilah aku hikmat dalam berkata-kata dan bertindak, agar aku tetap ada di jalan-Mu sehingga orang bisa menilai aku baik sesuai dengan penilaian-Mu. Amin. (Dod).

August 2 Morning Service: “The Seven Churches Series: Seven Witnesses II” We will explore the churches of Thyatira, Sardis and Philadelphia Scripture: Revelation 2:18-20; 3:1-2

Pastor Drew Zylstra preaches from Revelation 3:1-6, “Wake Up!” —————————— More from Oostburg CRC Sermons: https://www.firstcrcoostburg.org/sermons Bible Study Resources: https://www.firstcrcoostburg.org/resources Original Music: https://open.spotify.com/album/4P7JbJlHzabPNW8GpdxKcB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSouYxM1rwWZ4cYAvTIqVA

Matt Smethurst preaches Revelation 3:1–6 at River City Baptist Church, a new congregation in Richmond, Virginia. For more information or to get in touch, visit https://rivercityrichmond.org.

Send us Fan MailCan your name be erased from the Lamb's Book of Life, or is that fear built on a misunderstanding of Revelation 3? We lean into Jesus' words to the church of Sardis and deal with the tension head-on: a church can look alive, sound convincing, and still be spiritually dead in Christ's eyes. That warning is not abstract theology. It's a call to stop trusting reputation, religious performance, and public approval as proof of spiritual life.From there, we ask the question that shapes everything: when was the Book of Life written? If it's written “as we go,” then salvation rests on human decision and ongoing effort. But Revelation 17:8 and Revelation 13:8 push us back to “the foundation of the world,” forcing a bigger view of God's sovereignty, election, and grace. We talk through why the promise “I will not blot his name out” functions as assurance for Christ's people, not a threat dangling over fragile believers.We also get practical about the word “overcome.” Using 1 John 5:4–5, we connect overcoming to new birth and faith in Jesus Christ, not spiritual dress-up or self-powered endurance. Along the way, we echo the comfort of Romans 8 and the deepening assurance that drives out fear (1 John 4:18), while still letting Sardis challenge us to examine our hearts with honesty.If this strengthened you or unsettled you in a good way, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review with the question you most want answered next.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailJesus' message to Sardis is terrifying precisely because it sounds like success: “You have a name that you are alive.” We take Revelation 3:1-6 and press into the uncomfortable contrast between public reputation and spiritual reality, where a church can look vibrant, sound orthodox, and still be lifeless before Christ. If you've ever assumed that visible ministry, confident words, or other people's praise automatically equals true Christian faith, this conversation challenges that assumption head-on.We trace how Sardis likely formed in the spread of the gospel through Asia, then explore why Jesus exposes their “alive” image as spiritual deadness. The warning lands on modern church culture too: it's easy to curate a holy appearance, to get the “amen,” and to mistake applause for assurance. We talk about complacency, incomplete works, and what it looks like to stop being watchful while still keeping up the outward form of godliness.Then we move to Christ's remedy and his promises. “Wake up” is not a motivational slogan, it's a command tied to repentance, obedience, and remembering what we received. We connect that call to the city's own history of being captured because guards failed to keep watch, and we highlight the hope embedded in the rebuke: a faithful remnant, white garments, and names that will not be blotted out of the book of life. If you want a clearer, more honest way to examine your life before God, this is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us: where do you need to wake up?Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailA church can sing the songs, say the right words, and still be on life support. That's the uncomfortable question we sit with as we walk through Revelation 3 and Jesus' message to the church of Sardis, where His assessment cuts through reputation and exposes what's really happening under the surface.We talk candidly about how self-deception happens in Christian spaces, including “prosperity” culture that rewards comfort and image over clarity and holiness. Along the way, we share real experiences of church hurt, losing friendships, and getting labeled “difficult” for challenging shaky doctrine. That pain opens into a bigger theological thread: the visible church versus the invisible church. Not everyone who gathers is regenerated, and Jesus' words often address both true believers who need strengthening and pretenders who need to wake up before it's too late.From there we press into the heart of the warning: be watchful. Spiritual decline is rarely sudden. It shows up as sleepiness, presumption, and drifting from daily dependence on Christ. We also unpack why Jesus says their works are “not perfect” before God, and why motives matter as much as actions. God weighs the inner life, not just the public performance, which is why we keep coming back to humility, repentance, and guarding the heart.We end with the remedy Jesus gives: remember how you received and heard, hold fast, and repent. If this conversation challenges you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more Bible-centered teaching, and leave a review that helps others find the show.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailA church can have the right reputation, the right vocabulary, and the right “amen” crowd and still be spiritually asleep. We sit with Jesus' warning to the church of Sardis in Revelation 3 and ask the uncomfortable question that follows every line: are we actually awake, or just good at looking alive?We talk about what “lazy Christianity” looks like in real life: drifting from prayer, avoiding worship, dodging service, and convincing ourselves we're unusable because our problems feel too big. Then we push back on the modern instinct to fix spiritual decline with novelty. The call is simpler and harder: return to the truth you already received, hold fast to the Word, and repent. We also dig into the shock of Christ's “thief” imagery, not to stir panic, but to press readiness and honesty. If Christ visited today, would our private life match our public image?Hope runs through the warning. Jesus names a remnant, “a few” who have not defiled their garments, and He promises white garments, fellowship, and lasting honor to those who overcome. We unpack what that means, why repentance is a gift of grace, and how humility sounds more like “I'm broken, and God is merciful” than spiritual bragging. We close with assurance around the book of life, clarifying why this promise steadies true believers while exposing empty profession.Subscribe for more Bible-centered conversations, share this with someone who needs a wake-up call, and leave a review that tells us what part challenged you most.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

‘Letters to Lampstands' - Series message 5Text: Revelation 3:1-6Everyone around Sardis thought highly of them, but looks can be deceiving. Far from being alive, they were dead. Jesus called on them to wake up, strengthen what remained, and repent. If they did so, He promised those people white garments and their name in the Book of Life along with those who had not already soiled their clothes. 7 19 26 Wake Up and Strengthen What Remains Alan Langelli

It is easy to fall asleep when you are comfortable. But spiritual complacency can leave you vulnerable before you even realize you are drifting.In this message from the SEVEN LETTERS series, we examine Jesus' warning to the church in Sardis—a church with a reputation for being alive but a spiritual condition that told a different story. Sardis was conquered twice by stealth, and its history gives us a vivid picture of what happens when comfort replaces vigilance.Whether your faith feels routine, your relationships feel like maintenance, or you are simply going through the motions, this message challenges you to wake up and strengthen what remains. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives life, but we are called to respond with intentional faith.In this message you'll discover:— Why comfort can quietly lead to spiritual complacency— How resistance may reveal that you are moving in the right direction— What it means to remember, guard, and repent— Five practical ways to wake up your faith: gather purposefully, serve selflessly, connect deeply, influence daily, and give generouslyKey Scriptures: Revelation 3:1-6, John 16:33, Luke 6:26, Hebrews 10:24, Galatians 5:13, Proverbs 18:24, Matthew 5:14-16, 2 Corinthians 8:2-3

Wake Up | Seven Letters (Week 5) Jesus' message to Sardis is a wake-up call for every believer. In this message, we discover that the greatest threat to our faith is not faithlessness but complacency. Looking at Revelation 3:1–6, we learn how small compromises lead to spiritual drift and why Jesus' command to "Wake Up" is just as relevant today as it was to the church in Sardis. Key Verse: Revelation 3:2 Big Idea: The greatest threat to your faith is not faithlessness, but complacency. One-Liner: Today's complacency is tomorrow's captivity.

The Lycus River Valley in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) was renowned for its textile industry and desirable fashions in biblical times—and remains a center for textiles today. On this episode, Rich and Jerrell explore the common threads woven throughout Scripture, connecting sheep, wool, dye, and clothing into powerful spiritual imagery. Once Christ has transformed us, we're meant to be dyed-in-the-wool disciples—our faith woven into every fiber of our lives. And like an intricate Turkish rug, God is weaving each of us into a beautiful tapestry that tells His story. For further study, read the following passages: Colossians 3:9-14; Romans 12:2; Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:22-25 Podcast video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnnxJbmToNo Join our 2027 Signature Tour of Turkey & Greece to see the ancient city of Sardis! https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-turkey-greece-2027  

Armored Against Demon Invasion (audio) David Eells – 7/15/26 Bundle of Serpents Attacks  John David Feagin - 10/31/2011 (David's notes in red) In the brief dream I had, there was a bundle, like the old-fashioned bundle of wheat that was being passed down from two others in line to me, only this bundle was a bundle of serpents. I could tell that they were very venomous serpents, like sea snakes, cobras, mambas, or coral snakes. They tried to bite my arm and, naturally, I did not like this. I did remember that we are immune to the bites of serpents if we are covered in the Blood of Jesus, so this is where I put my trust. I was no longer so concerned and set them aside. At the time I awoke, this was puzzling to me, but now, after some thought, I believe I understand it more fully. The snakes involved have neurotoxins, which attack the brain, that is, our thoughts. We are strictly warned to take captive our every thought (that is, against the knowledge of God's Word) and this now means much more to me than it ever has before. I am certainly no expert with such things or spiritual warfare, but I do know that demons associated with pornography, bitterness, criticism, faction, etc., are very powerful and deadly. I also know that demons can be transferred by men, and inadvertently opening doors, even with the best of intentions, can invite personal attack. I personally believe this was a warning to be very careful, but it may also be a general warning to others as well, and may be applied to all sorts of demonic or thought influence. If the enemy can truly read our thoughts and insert them, as has been shown in a previous UBM study, then this is particularly devious. It is difficult to reject such thoughts if you think they are your own.  Then, this morning, as a sort of confirmation, I saw the UBM update about the bug detector and casting such thoughts to hell immediately in the name of Jesus. I also noticed that when I was praying, in the Word, and seeking wisdom in such matters, my thoughts were clear, but when my guard was down, my own thoughts and emotions in the matter, no matter how well-intended, were somewhat intoxicating. So, forewarned is forearmed. God bless always in His service.  Be careful of slander and criticism for the purpose of making disciples. It comes only from demons, and those they can use, and it comes for only one reason -- to impart demons and poison minds against someone the devil hates. Demons impersonating aliens to turn the world to the mark of the beast to destroy Christianity. The Word for “heresies” or “parties” in Galatians 5:20 means “a self-willed opinion leading to division”. The word for factions among these works of the flesh means separating followers through selfish ambition. Demons impersonate righteous indignation but are actually criticism or new revelation. {Jas.3:14} But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. {15} This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. {16} For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.   Bluffing Demons & Spiritual Authority  Sandy Shaw 11/09/2011 (David's notes in red) The way this dream starts is that I'm walking into this room, and I'm watching a group of men (some I know, some I don't know) who are turning around and leaving the room. I ask the ladies there, “Where are the men going?” (These men are the chosen.)  The women who are there tell me not to worry because they need to go -- they have to go. The Lord wants them to go. When this happens, I feel like all the women are in unity that the men needed to go. (The spiritual catching up to the throne anointing of those who will return as the Man-child reformer ministry.) I then grab Tina's hand and ask, “Don't you feel the winds of change?” She answers, “What?” Then I say, “The change. The winds of change. Don't you feel the winds of change?” (From this point on, everything will change both positively for those who love God and are called according to His purpose and negatively for the wicked; a separation of the wheat from the tares. Tina ended up going factious, the opposite of Sandy.)  Then I go from there to an ancient-looking town square or plaza. People are walking all around. There are archways all around the square leading into different hallways, buildings, or rooms. It looks and feels like it's an ancient city. (Archways were made famous by the ancient Romans, who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures. We are seeing a revival of the iron and clay of Daniel's end-time vision of the 10 toes of the world beast kingdom. There is no dispute that the iron is the seed of the Roman Empire.) As I'm walking slowly through this square, I'm praying. I'm praying continuously because I can feel the presence of evil so strongly there. (Great darkness is about to descend as the principality of the old Roman Empire prepares to take charge and make the covenant with many, as spoken of in Daniel 9:26,27.) As I'm looking at some of the people, they look human, but for a brief moment, I can see certain demons that are controlling them. (As we watch this progressive revelation, the people who belong to the body of the beast become less and less human and more and more demon, just as those who belong to the body of Christ become less and less human and more and more sons of God. Those from among the people of God who do not forsake their evil will go with the wicked. {Rev.22:11} He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still. In the days before the coming of the Lord, at the end of the tribulation, Jesus will come in and then with His saints. {2Th.1:7} and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, {8} rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: {9} who shall suffer punishment, [even] eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, {10} when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.) As I'm praying, some man grabs my arm and pulls me into one of the hallways. As he is pulling me into the hallway, I hear someone in the square saying, “We gotta find her. We gotta find her. We have to stop her. Her prayers are reaching the throne of Heaven!” (These voices are the demons speaking through men). (Our prayers do reach the throne when sent by faith, and the demons' plans are thwarted. {Psa.10:17} Jehovah, thou hast heard the desire of the meek: Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. {Rom.10:13} for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. {Jer.33:3} Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.) So the man pulls me into this room, and there are mostly men and a few women there. This room is full of uniforms of all different kinds. The people are trying to figure out which uniform to put on. Some of the uniforms are military. As they are excited about finding the right uniform to wear, they are trying them on. I know in the dream that these people are Christians. (The “Christians” will be worried about how to appear to the world in this dangerous time and what lifestyle to put on besides Christ's. A military uniform indicates a militant lifestyle in dealing with this beast system, which will be disastrous since “they who take the sword will die by the sword”. We must put on the uniform of the new man, who is in the image of Jesus and His actions, according to the knowledge of the Word. {Col.3:9} lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, {10} and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him.)  I tell them that they have it wrong and that the full armor that they need to put on is the full armor of God, not one of these physical uniforms made by man. The people just look at me, not receiving anything I'm saying (as apostate patriotic Christians). A man asks me to sit down and take a look at this uniform. Then this man puts on some kind of uniform with a jacket. The jacket and uniform cover his legs, feet, and everything. There is a hood to the jacket that covers his whole head with a face-covering mask. The material of the jacket is a material I've never felt before. They then pour chemicals over it, resulting in no damage. Then they turn a blowtorch on it, and the torch doesn't burn or damage it. (As a volunteer fireman for Exxon, they gave us shirts that had metal woven into them to reflect heat.  Our government is allying with alien impersonating demons like the galactic federation or alliance in hopes of profiting from their “higher technology.” But these hate Christians and will help to bring about the mark of the beast to be rid of them.) They are really excited about the uniform/jacket and are picking it to be the one they will use. (There is no safety outside of God's will. He sent the curse, and no man can defend from it. {Jer.17:5} Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah. ... {7} Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah, and whose trust Jehovah is. {8} For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.) I tell them again, “No, you have it wrong; it's the full armor of God that you need to put on. There is nothing manmade that will help you. You only need the full armor of God”. I then get up and walk out of there into the long hallway. As I walk down the hallway, it is full of men lining up to put on the uniform they think is going to help them in the battle ahead. {Psa.33:16} There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. {17} A horse is a vain thing for safety; Neither doth he deliver any by his great power. {18} Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his lovingkindness; {19} To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. {20} Our soul hath waited for Jehovah: He is our help and our shield. ... {Psa.34:7} The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them. {8} Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him.) After leaving the “Christians” in their false confidence, I kept walking and went back to the square. The ground in the square has changed: it's all dirt now, and I could see through the dirt. I see under the dirt different piles of bones all over the place. No one knows that those bones are there, and no one sees them either. I'm not quite sure why I'm seeing them. (The hidden bones represent those who are martyred behind the scenes because they are not prepared for the battle by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, as in Romans 13:12-14. Notice that putting on Jesus IS putting on God's armor or protection. Notice that it is always called the “armor of God” because it is God Himself. {Eph.6:11} Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. {13} Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.  {14} Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, {15} and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; {16} withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: {18} with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Notice that putting on all of these attributes: truth, righteousness, the Gospel, and salvation are manifestations of the Word, Who is Jesus. Putting on Jesus is putting on God. It is the armor of GOD Himself.) I'm walking through the square again, and I'm praying because I need to get to the other side of the square. (Contrary to popular opinion, we will all have to pass through this time of the revived Roman beast with America at the head.) As I'm walking and praying, the people that I saw with demons controlling them, I now see as full-blown demons, but to the natural eye, they still looked human. (The worldly people will be totally possessed, though they appear to each other as normal, and we are seeing more of this happening now. The D.S. can only be picked out by their leftist demon doctrines.) There was one demon that would walk really fast. So fast that it seemed as if he was flying. This demon went right in front of my face, standing right in front of me but he could not see me. He was really angry and talking with authority, telling the other demons, “We have to find these people who are praying! NOW! NOW, I say! Find them! (Prayer by those who believe in its power will be both destructive to Satan's kingdom and defensive to those who walk in the Lord's Kingdom. {Jas.5:16} Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working. {17} Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. {18} And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.)  I was standing right in front of him, praying, and the demon had no clue that I was there. (In other words, I was hidden in Christ.) So, I keep walking and when I get to the right-hand corner of the square, I look. I stop, turn around, and I'm looking! I'm watching these people. And the room is not really a room. The way that it feels is completely off, like when you walk into a room, and you can see the light, yet you can see shadows behind things. This was now completely reversed. There was light where shadows would normally be. There were bits and pieces of light. It was completely off, completely out of order. It just didn't feel or look right. (When the light is dark, and the dark is light, it is when good is called evil and evil is called good. This is where demon-possessed society is and has been going. {Isa.5:20} Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! We see this with demon-possessed people now.) After I walked through there, I saw what looked like some kind of old train depot-type thing. I know it's some kind of old transportation system. I'm in this room where there are two big fences with gates -- a cement-type fence. There is a gate, and people are going in and out of the gate. And then there is like a middle part where a lot of people are walking -- a lot of traffic. (To get where they want to go, Christians can't walk where the masses do in their bondage, spiritually speaking. {Mat.7:13} Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. {14} For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. We must be conformed by the Word within.) On the other end is the same kind of gate that people are entering this place from somewhere else. When I go there, I'm waiting for Tina, Sam, and my mom. I feel like Tina and Sam went to get my mom wherever she was to bring her here. I knew that it hadn't been very long since I had seen Tina and Sam, but that I hadn't seen my mom in a while. Tina and Sam were getting ready to go through the gate that's on the other side to go to the middle. My mom stopped them and said, “No, we can't go that way. We have to go the other way”. (Sandy said that she felt that if they had gone into the middle, they would have died. This warning was not taken seriously by them and they spiritually died. They did not listen. This is where the people of God need to go from the worldly to the spiritual; there cannot be ‘a halfway', ‘a lukewarm'. This would mean spiritual death to them in this time and a spewing out of the body of Christ. {Rev.3:15} I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.) If you walked all the way around to the end, there was another part that was covered by the fence. They did not walk in the middle part. They had to walk all the way around to where I was. (The path of least resistance, or the shortcut, is the wrong way. The worldly church offers many of these. Just listen to them, and they will show you the quick and easy way to get saved and fly away, but the end is death.) They were almost down to that part, and there was another little gate to walk to the middle. My mom stopped and turned around and told Tina, “Grab Sam. He cannot walk in the middle. There is no middle; he can't walk in the middle”. (None of those who are lukewarm, middle-of-the-road walkers will spiritually survive.) As Sam goes toward the middle, Tina grabs him and they walk all the way around to where I was. I greet them and hug them. (This awakening was temporary.) Then I tell them, “Things are not what they seem to be”. My mom then says, “It's okay, it's okay, because everything that is happening is according to God's will. We just need to stay in constant prayer. {Pro.14:12} There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death. We just need to stay in constant prayer”. (In the days of strong delusion and deception, there's much advanced technology now using AI, CGI, and programming through drugs, mind control and manipulation, etc., we cannot walk according to our carnal mind or senses, or we will stumble. Prayer without ceasing is our command.) So, I'm walking ahead of them. Tina is walking on one side, my mom on the other side, both holding Sam's hand. Sam was not as old as he is now. He looked to be eight or nine years old. (We will have to help guide those Christians who are not yet mature in discernment. God will hear their prayers, too. Samuel is Hebrew for “God heard” or “God's name”. Shem is a variant of Sam, meaning “name”. Shem was the father of the people of the name, as Christians are now. Shem was the father of the Israelites.) Sam was trying not to act afraid when there was the presence of evil all around us. Even amongst all the evil, we knew we were under the protection of the Lord. There was no safe place other than the arms of God. I bent down to talk to Sam in his ear, saying, “It's okay to be afraid; you just fear the Lord. Don't fear anyone else or anything else. Nothing can harm you because they have to go through the Father first. Don't be afraid”. (Fear permits faith to be robbed and the enemies to take advantage of us. It is faith in reverse. {Psa.23:4} Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod [of correction] and thy staff [of direction], they comfort me. {5} Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. (With this anointing of the Holy Spirit, we should give the good confession.) {6} Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.) Then we started walking back to the square. The dirt has changed again. The dirt now seems like it's a mud-like consistency. But to the natural eye, it looks just like dirt. I still see the piles of bones now with the mud going between the fingers, toes, etc. But now I also see something like a circle; it's a tunnel and I can see it at weird angles and kind of far. The things that I'm seeing in these tunnels are body parts with the flesh. I'm seeing arms cut off, legs, face, head, all different kinds of body parts. They look to be freshly cut off from the body because I can still see the blood. The blood is still wet. I can see the nerves on some of these parts still shaking and moving. (The ‘powers that be' have made many underground tunnels connecting cities, where the military and special forces have found remains of countless people who were murdered by satanists. According to other dreams and prophecies I have seen, it is in these tunnels that the saints will be expected to renounce Jesus or die. It behooves us to walk carefully so we fill out both our days and our ministry.)  I'm getting ready to step, and I stop. I put my hand out to stop my mom, Tina, and Sam as I watch the details of the body parts freshly cut off. It was gross. I then asked them if they saw those parts. Tina and my mom saw it; Sam closed his eyes. He didn't want to see it. I then asked, “But it's not there?” My mom said, “Oh, but it is there under the dirt”. We stopped then and there, and we started praying. We were praying in tongues. While we were praying, I told Tina to take my mom and Sam to the outer part of the square, find a place, and begin praying and interceding. And that's what they did. (As with the Nazi persecutions in the death camps of World War 2, many will deny for the sake of soothing their own conscience that these persecutions are happening, but they will be out of sight and out of mind, “under the dirt”.) I was taking very small steps as the Lord was guiding me and telling me to. (Every step in these days will need to be according to the Father's will because of the dangers. {Eph.5:15} Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; {16} redeeming the time, because the days are evil.) And I was just praying and praying and praying. As I was starting to pray, I saw the people in the square now completely as demons. I no longer saw them as humans. (The righteous will be able to see in the spirit realm those who have been displaced by demons.) As I was walking, I felt as if they were trying to find me, and they were bumping into me, but didn't know they were hitting me. I kept praying more and more. I prayed out loud, and they could hear me but couldn't see me. (Invisibility in the spirit realm makes for peace from the flesh realm.)  That big demon I saw earlier that walked really fast was now there, and there were more demons of his stature and size. They were frantic, upset and mad. One of them said, “Now there are more praying. Do you hear them praying? We have to find them NOW! I'm telling you, their prayers are reaching the throne room of Heaven. Things are going to change. Find them NOW!” There was such an urgency to find us. I walked all the way to the end of the square and I turned around and asked, “Okay, Lord. What is it that You want me to do?” (Truly, “things are going to change.” Walking to the end of the square represents that the saints will go through this beast tribulation and bring the Gospel to the whole world. Watch volume one of Hidden Manna for the End Times.) I don't know where the Lord took the men whom I saw at the beginning of the dream or what had happened, but I just knew that they were coming back. The demons were still looking really hard for the people who were praying. Not just us, but they were looking to stop everyone everywhere from praying. The Lord told me to step a foot back in the square, and I did. When I stepped back in the square, I was speaking the Word out loud. Everything that the Lord was saying to me, I was speaking out loud. The demons could now see me and were in my face, trying to intimidate or scare me. I knew that they could not touch me. They were telling me to shut up, be quiet, that my prayers were dead, and I was doing no good. “Don't you know we can kill you? We can take you out! You are nothing!” Many of them kept saying those things to me over and over. (Demons are full of threats to discourage the prayers and works of God, but most Christians don't recognize them as coming from demons, but feel they are their own thoughts and are defeated. The knowledge of God's Word will enable them to defeat the deceivers. {2Co.10:3} For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh {4} (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), {5} casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.) I said to them, “I am nothing, but through Christ Jesus He is everything. He is my all and all. Everything that I need, God is. God is the source. God is the strength. God is the great I AM! One of the demons was so close to my face that I could smell his stench. So close that he was almost touching me. I told him, “You are nothing! You can't do anything other than what my God allows. You are nothing! (God is sovereign over all, but He will allow many things that we allow because He has delegated authority over all the power of the enemies. {Mat.18:18} Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. {19} Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. ... {Luk.10:19} Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. {20} Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. I heard a noise behind me, and I turned around and saw all the men who had gone out, and there were more with them coming, and with what looked like Christ in the middle. Everyone was dressed in white. When Christ and all those men came on the scene, some of those demons became smaller and smaller. The ones that were already small were trying to run, but they couldn't go anywhere, as you have seen in cartoons, only this was not a cartoon; they were liquefying before me into a puddle on the floor, and then they were gone. I was backing up as the men were going forward. I went with Tina, Sam, and my mom to this place where I saw a lot more people who were praying and interceding. Then I woke up. (Who are these men whom the demons fear? The Lord is in the Man-child ministry to raise up many in the image of the Lord. These are coming to wreak havoc on the spiritual hosts of wickedness. Hallelujah!)  After I woke up from the dream, I heard the Lord say, “Write this down: “You have all power and authority in the name of Jesus Christ. Understand and know the power of His blood. For you are adopted, therefore you are entitled to everything. Hear Me! Understand Me! Know Me! For then the enemy cannot deceive you for what's ahead.”   The Men Whom the Demons Fear Seven spiritual shepherds who are sent by the Man-child to minister to the seven Churches, which is mentioned in Hidden Manna for the End Times. First, Jesus is coming to be manifested in the Man-child ministry. (Mic.5:2) But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. Obviously, this is Jesus. (3) Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth (the man-child body): then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. Jesus left because of rebellion and will return in the Man-child who is born of the travailing woman in Revelation 12. As Jesus fed the former rain woman in a body of flesh, so He will feed the latter rain woman in a corporate body of flesh. (Mic.5:4) And He shall stand, and shall feed [His flock] in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God: and they shall abide; for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. The Jesus of the former rain was revered by the disciples and feared by His enemies, but because of apostasy, this has not been true for many centuries since because they have had “another Jesus.” The Man-child body and those disciples who follow in His/their steps will restore this, and He shall be “great unto the ends of the earth”. The Man-child's teaching will bring peace to the seven churches that are at war with the beast and harlot. (5) And this [man] shall be [our] peace, When the Assyrian shall come into our land, and shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal (Hebrew: “princes among”) men. The corporate body of the Man-child is “this man” who brings peace to the corporate woman with his teachings, which enable her to resist the beast invasion. He brings peace because the “Prince of peace” is in his heart. Spiritually speaking, we are the “land” with the “palaces” that the corporate beast is trying to invade. (1Co.3:9) For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry (Greek: “tilled land”), God's building (“palaces”). As we shall see, the beast is a corporate spirit from the abyss (Rev.17:8) that inhabits the body of the wicked (3) and seeks to inhabit the righteous and mark them. Notice that the “Assyrians” are called “him” which shows that they are seen as the corporate body of the beast. Since the Assyrian beast kingdom passed away over 600 years before Christ, they could not have been connected with Jesus or the Man-child. Therefore, God, as usual, was using the beast of that day to represent a particular aspect of the end time beast. As the Assyrian beast did not conquer Jerusalem, so the end time beast will not conquer those spiritually abiding in the New Jerusalem. (Mic.5:5) ...Then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal (Hebrew: “princes among”) men. The Man-child Jesus raised up twelve apostolic shepherds primarily to restore those of the “twelve-tribes of Israel” who would listen (Mat.10:5; Act.26:7; Jas.1:1; 1Pet.1:1). In exact parallel, the corporate Man-child will raise up “seven” corporate apostolic “shepherds” primarily to restore the “seven churches”. The Man-child's primary job is to feed the unleavened bread of the Word to disciples in order to manifest Christ in them. These will be the new leadership for the seven churches in the last 3 1/2 years. These “seven shepherds” are not sectarian religious leaders but one man in Christ and are inhabited by one “prince of peace”, Jesus, hence “eight princes among men”. In the next chapter of Micah, we will see that even after the Man-child Jesus' 3 ½-year ministry, He promised to be with the shepherds in spirit “unto the consummation of the age,” (Greek: Mat.28:20) hence “eight princes among men”. These princes are sons of the King and have authority over His realm of the seven churches. The seven churches of Revelation are a type of seven different types of Christians in the Church. (Isa.4:1) And seven women (the Church) shall take hold of one man in that day. The “one man” here is Jesus manifested in the Man-child. Then He will be manifested in the seven shepherds and then in the true Church. One of God's solutions to the apostasy in the Church is new leadership. (Isa.1:26) And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning. The same type of counselors in the former rain will be given in the latter rain. Here is another confirmation of the Man-child giving His revelation to seven shepherds, who passed it on to the seven churches. When the Man-child Jesus sent His shepherds out, He called them “apostles”, meaning “one sent forth”. In other words, the shepherds were the Man-child's messengers to the churches. As a type of the Man-child, John on the Isle of Patmos was “a partaker with you in the tribulation” (Rev.1:9) when he was caught up to the throne of God and given a revelation of the coming tribulation to give to the seven churches. (4:1) After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, [a voice] as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter. (2) Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne. Like Jesus, he was given a revelation of the apostasy in the Church and told to send it to the seven churches by the hand of seven angels. (1:11) ...What thou seest, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches.... (Rev.2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14) To the angel of the church in Ephesus (and so with Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) write.... “Angel” in these cases is the Greek word angelos meaning “messengers” and is also used of ministers in the New Testament (Example: Luk.4:24,27; 9:52). The equivalent Hebrew word in the Old Testament is translated “messenger” when speaking of priests (Mal.2:7), John the Baptist, and Jesus (Luk.3:1). Since it doesn't make sense that John sent the revelation by angels, he must have sent it by seven minister messengers to the seven churches. This is exactly what Jesus did as Man-child. He shared His revelation with minister messengers, who shared it with the seven churches.

What if you had a reputation for being alive but were actually spiritually dead? That was the reality Jesus spoke directly to the church at Sardis, and it is a question worth sitting with today. Is your spiritual reputation on the outside an accurate reflection of what is happening on the inside? God is calling His people to wake up, remember, and press forward. There is always more of Him available to those willing to seek.

What if the most dangerous place to be isn't openly far from God but close enough to look alive while your heart quietly drifts away... There are signs to know if you're spiritually dead or secretly alive in Christ, where do you stand?▶SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernHillsLV▶Do you know Jesus as your Savior? https://www.southernhillslv.com/the-gospel▶ DONATE: https://pushpay.com/g/southernhills?src=hpp&r=monthly▶ Visit Southern Hills: https://www.southernhillslv.com/▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernhillslv▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernhillslv/

Part 5 of our series, Jesus Revealed: Letters to the Church. Thanks for listening to this message from New Life Church. In this message, Pastor Joel Solomon continues our journey through the seven letters to the churches in Revelation. As Jesus addresses the church in Sardis, we discover His call to awaken from spiritual complacency, strengthen what remains, and live with wholehearted devotion to Him. This message was recorded at New Life Church | Kempsville in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Sunday, July 12, 2026Ears to Hear: Listening to the Voice of Christ, "Sardis: A Sleepy Church" - Jenee AngelSermon based on Revelation 3:1-6(reading by Phoebe Khano)

This episode is part of the Faith By Reason teaching library — over 100 episodes of in-depth Bible study, Christian apologetics, and systematic theology.

This episode is part of the Faith By Reason teaching library — over 100 episodes of in-depth Bible study, Christian apologetics, and systematic theology.

Cody announces re-election bid for Clerk/Treasurer; new non profit Because, Healthy Kids off to good start; Blood Drive to be held this week; Conway Chamber releases analysis of commuters; single-vehicle accident at Sardis; we visit with Jay Carter of the Conway County Library.

As our Behold: The Revelation of Jesus Christ series continues, Pastor Krissy Miles explores Jesus' letters to the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea in Revelation 3. Preached over Fourth of July weekend, this message reflects on America's 250th anniversary while challenging believers to examine their spiritual condition through Christ's perspective.The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive but had grown spiritually complacent, reminding us that faith requires more than past success—it calls for present obedience. Philadelphia remained faithful through persecution and received Christ's promise of an open door, demonstrating that the Church can thrive regardless of opposition. Laodicea serves as a warning against spiritual lukewarmness, self-sufficiency, and comfort that can blind us to our need for Christ.Throughout the message, Pastor Krissy reminds us that these letters are not simply instructions for self-improvement, but a revelation of Jesus Christ that calls us to live by grace through faith. The sermon concludes with a personal challenge to remain spiritually awake, resist compromise, stand firm in the truth, and faithfully advance the gospel until Christ returns.Key Themes:Revelation 3: Christ's Message to the ChurchLiving by Grace, Not Self-EffortThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyFaithfulness Through OppositionAvoiding Lukewarm ChristianityLaw vs. GraceAmerica's Christian Heritage & ResponsibilityStaying Spiritually AwakeAdvancing the Gospel Until Christ ReturnsPersonal Faith & OvercomingTimestamps:0:40 — Welcome & Fourth of July Reflections8:27 — Introduction to Revelation 3 17:50 — Understanding the Seven Churches: Christ's Perspective 27:36 — Sardis: A Reputation Without Life 31:44 — Moses at the Red Sea: Faith Requires Action 35:48 — Philadelphia: The Faithful Church 39:32 — The Keys of David & Christ's Authority 44:22 — "I Will Keep You from the Hour of Trial" 47:39 — Laodicea: The Danger of Lukewarm Faith 50:47 — Law vs. Grace 1:01:03 — A Personal Call to Every Believer 1:02:28 — Communion & Closing Prayer

As our Behold: The Revelation of Jesus Christ series continues, Pastor Krissy Miles explores Jesus' letters to the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea in Revelation 3. Preached over Fourth of July weekend, this message reflects on America's 250th anniversary while challenging believers to examine their spiritual condition through Christ's perspective.The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive but had grown spiritually complacent, reminding us that faith requires more than past success—it calls for present obedience. Philadelphia remained faithful through persecution and received Christ's promise of an open door, demonstrating that the Church can thrive regardless of opposition. Laodicea serves as a warning against spiritual lukewarmness, self-sufficiency, and comfort that can blind us to our need for Christ.Throughout the message, Pastor Krissy reminds us that these letters are not simply instructions for self-improvement, but a revelation of Jesus Christ that calls us to live by grace through faith. The sermon concludes with a personal challenge to remain spiritually awake, resist compromise, stand firm in the truth, and faithfully advance the gospel until Christ returns.Key Themes:Revelation 3: Christ's Message to the ChurchLiving by Grace, Not Self-EffortThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyFaithfulness Through OppositionAvoiding Lukewarm ChristianityLaw vs. GraceAmerica's Christian Heritage & ResponsibilityStaying Spiritually AwakeAdvancing the Gospel Until Christ ReturnsPersonal Faith & OvercomingTimestamps:0:40 — Welcome & Fourth of July Reflections8:27 — Introduction to Revelation 3 17:50 — Understanding the Seven Churches: Christ's Perspective 27:36 — Sardis: A Reputation Without Life 31:44 — Moses at the Red Sea: Faith Requires Action 35:48 — Philadelphia: The Faithful Church 39:32 — The Keys of David & Christ's Authority 44:22 — "I Will Keep You from the Hour of Trial" 47:39 — Laodicea: The Danger of Lukewarm Faith 50:47 — Law vs. Grace 1:01:03 — A Personal Call to Every Believer 1:02:28 — Communion & Closing Prayer

Pastor Barret MoorePastor Barret continues our Revelation series exploring Jesus' weighty letter to the church in Sardis. What does it mean to have a reputation for being alive while being spiritually dead? Hear the call to examine our hearts, wake up from complacency, remember the gospel we've received, and live with authentic faith that bears fruit.Scripture: Revelation 3:1–6

Jesus words to the people of Philadelphia and Sardis echo throughout the ages as both challenging and inspiring. The call of perseverance to Philadelphia remind us of the necessity of maintaining the faith even when it becomes easy to quit. And Jesus' straightforward prognosis of spiritual deadness in the church of Sardis remind us that revival is possible when we repent and turn our hearts back to Christ. 

It's possible to look spiritually healthy on the outside while slowly drifting on the inside.In this message, Pastor Bobby unpacks Jesus' letter to the church in Sardis and challenges us to examine whether our faith is still alive today or simply living off yesterday's victories. Through the warning given to Sardis, we're reminded that spiritual decline is often subtle, but Jesus calls His people to wake up, remain watchful, and pursue a daily, authentic relationship with Him.Whether you've been following Jesus for decades or are just beginning your faith journey, this message is an invitation to stay awake, stay faithful, and keep your eyes fixed on Christ.

It's possible to look spiritually healthy on the outside while slowly drifting on the inside.In this message, Pastor Bobby unpacks Jesus' letter to the church in Sardis and challenges us to examine whether our faith is still alive today or simply living off yesterday's victories. Through the warning given to Sardis, we're reminded that spiritual decline is often subtle, but Jesus calls His people to wake up, remain watchful, and pursue a daily, authentic relationship with Him.Whether you've been following Jesus for decades or are just beginning your faith journey, this message is an invitation to stay awake, stay faithful, and keep your eyes fixed on Christ.

Many churches appear healthy on the outside—packed services, busy calendars, thriving ministries, and strong reputations. But what if Jesus sees something entirely different?In Revelation 3, Jesus confronts the church in Sardis with one of the most sobering statements in Scripture:"You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead."How does a church drift from spiritual vitality to spiritual complacency? Why do only a few believers remain faithful when compromise becomes the norm?In this episode of The Caffeinated Christian, Mike and Ryan unpack seven warning signs of a compromised church, including cultural accommodation, spiritual complacency, leadership failures, tolerated sin, and the danger of replacing genuine devotion with religious activity.This isn't a call to criticize churches—it's a call to examine ourselves.Are we settling for reputation, or pursuing reality?CHAPTERS:00:00 What If Jesus Visited Your Church?01:15 Introduction & The Church in Sardis04:00 Sign #1: Reputation Replaces Reality08:00 Sign #2: Spiritual Complacency Goes Unchallenged12:00 Sign #3: Cultural Accommodation Replaces Holiness18:00 Sign #4: Outward Activity Masks Inward Emptiness23:00 Sign #5: Sin Is Tolerated Rather Than Confronted28:00 Sign #6: Leadership Fails to Cultivate Vigilance33:00 Sign #7: Corporate Identity Over Personal Devotion36:00 How Churches Can Recover38:00 Warning, Invitation & Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Douglas Wilson cautions that modern wars are fought both on the battlefield and in the media narrative. He also continues his theological word study on sin with moluno and the defiling of the conscience, and reviews Charles Spurgeon's Lectures to My Students as a practical, warm-hearted book of homiletical wisdom. For more from Doug, subscribe to Canon+: https://canonplus.com/