Scripture reading: Revelation 3:1–6

If It Walks Like a Duck and
Quacks Like a Duck . . .

You have the reputation of being alive,
but you are dead. (Revelation 3:1)

Common wisdom says that if an animal walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck. OK, that makes sense. But if you take that same logic and apply it to churches, you may be in for a surprise. Not everything that walks like a church and talks like a church is a church . . . or at least a living church. To speak of a dead church is a bit like speaking of jumbo shrimp. It is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. How can the body of Christ be dead? And yet the Bible, church history, and personal experience offer many tragic examples.

Some dead churches are easy to recognize: empty pews, struggling finances, boring services, poorly run programs, unbiblical theology, etc. But the Bible reminds us that appearances can be deceiving. Not all churches that look dead actually are. And more to the point, not all churches that appear to have life, actually do! This makes it harder to recognize a dead church than you might at first think. The parking lot may be full, the sermons may be energetic, the worship may be moving, and the theology may be biblical, and yet, it may be spiritually dead as a doornail.

Such was the case of Sardis Community Church (Revelation 3:1–6). This church didn’t look dead. In fact, she had “the reputation of being alive.” From all outward appearances, this was a happening place! Founded during the apostolic age, Paul and John had probably visited this congregation. There is no hint of heresy and no mention of persecution. We can assume it had lots of programs and activities and that attendance was good. More importantly, the members of this church assumed they were a living expression of the body of Christ. They walked, talked, and quacked like a church. But Jesus said, “you’re dead.” The members at Sardis must have been stunned and perhaps angry. “Us? Dead? Jesus, how can you say such a thing?”

Vance Havner (1901–1986) spoke of the stages that many churches proceed through. First, there is a man, then a movement, then a machine, and finally a monument. Though we know little about the stages of life at Sardis Community Church, it is obvious that what had once been a movement of spiritual revival was now a machine-like institution, fast becoming a mausoleum. What Jesus intended to be an organism had in fact become nothing more than an organization.

So what do you do if you’re spiritually dead? I’m so glad you asked! Jesus tells the members of the church at Sardis exactly what to do. And his words are applicable for anyone today who is spiritually comatose. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die . . . Remember what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. (vv. 2–3, NIV)

1. Wake up! (v. 2): Sleeping in church is more serious than you think! If you are reading this, even though your vital signs may be alarming, it is not too late. You can be resuscitated!

2. Remember (v. 3): Spiritual amnesia is deadly. Remember what it was like when you were lost in sin, and God’s grace found you and saved you. Oh what joy you knew, oh what commitments you made. Remember your first love. Oh, remember.

3. Obey (v. 3): “Remember what you received and heard, and obey it.” Spiritual death comes when we cease obeying the revealed will of God. Whatever he says to you, do it!

4. Repent (v. 3): Don’t just be sorry about your comatose condition. Turn around and make a fresh commitment to walk in faith and obedience from this day forward, God being your helper.

One hundred religious persons knit into a unity
by careful organizations do not constitute a
church any more than eleven dead men make a
football team. The first requisite is life, always.
—A. W. Tozer

point to ponder • Have you ever been part of a church that seemed to be alive but was actually dead?

prayer focus • Fresh commitments to faith and obedience.