The church was desperate. Years of decline has taken a painful toll. “What we need, ” they said, “is a dynamic new pastor.”
A blue-ribbon search team did everything right to find the perfect leader. Young but experienced, serious but witty, articulate but not intimidating, spiritual but worldly-wise. Now it was time for him to preach the congregation.
When he addressed the congregation, he gave an inspiring description of his qualifications, experience, vision, and plans. His final line summer up his stirring presentation: “With God’s help, I intend to lead this church forward into the 20th century!”
Surprised and a bit embarrassed by his apparent mistake, the chairman of the search team whispered loudly, “You mean the 21st century!”
To which the candidate replied, “We’re going to take this one century at a time!”
OUCH! That’s gotta hurt.
The church at Sardis was on its deathbed. Like many in a similar boat, its best days were behind it. To be honest everything looked good. The reputation was good. They had a name of being alive, but they were dead. They were finding out in this letter they could not fool the ONE who really mattered and saw right through them.
This letter is their last chance. He is offering them an opportunity for a deathbed confession. I hope and pray OVCF never gets to that place. If it does, and I’m still with them, shoot me. (Not really but it would be how I feel with this kind of news). I will be bringing all this and more to the table Sunday. I’d appreciate your prayers. Thanks.
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