The Church of Sardis | The Dead Church

The Apostle John was given a message to 7 churches of the time. These churches also represent the types of churches we have today.
We're going to look at the church of Sardis. It is also referred to as the dead church.
We'll see why in a minute or two.
Here's the message or the warning to the church of Sardis.
Revelation 3:1-6 “And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: “I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (2) Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. (3) Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you. (4) Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. (5) He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (6) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
Let's dissect the message and see its significance.
In verse 1 Jesus tells Sardis that He knows her works. It has the appearance of being alive but is dead. What does this mean?
Nothing is hidden from the Lord Jesus Christ. We may pretend to people and appear to be doing well but Jesus can see through our hyprocrisy and knows our true nature. Despite its outward appearance, Jesus stated that the church was dead.
In verse 2 Jesus evaluates the church and concludes that nothing that the church has done has been pleasing to God. The church seems to have been engaged in some works but the works amounted to zero before God. The Bible says faith without works is dead. Some churches and people engage in empty works for show. Or the churches may be engaged in the wrong works or fake works.
In verse 3 the church is told to recall what it had been taught and apply it and repent. So it is implied that the church had strayed from the true teachings of Jesus Christ. It probably had been infiltrated by the doctrines of men. The church was instructed to repent and prepare for Jesus' return which could happen at any time.
In verses 4 and 5 Jesus acknowledges that there are a few people in that church who had not defiled themselves. Jesus said they were worthy to walk with Him. Those who continue to be faithful will be clothed with white garments and will not be blotted out from the Book of Life. Jesus will also mention them before the Father and the angels that they are worthy.
In verse 6 He concludes by telling those who are willing to listen to the message of the Holy Spirit to the churches.
How does this message apply to churches of today?
Some churches fit into this mold. Some churches are hypocritical. They tend to show outwardly how well they are doing. They may even fake signs and miracles to draw the masses. However, before God they are dead. They are of no value. They could even be a liability to the body of Christ because they may be leading many astray with false doctrines.
This also applies to individuals who purport to be believers but their fruit does not please God. Maybe they do good deeds for the applause of other people and not God.
Such churches and people have been called upon to return to the true teachings of Jesus Christ and discard that which is not in line with God's Truth i.e. repent from their waywardness. Many false doctrines are being propagated in churches. Those who are not grounded in the Word of God are being deceived. That is why it is very important to cross-check what they are taught from the pulpit with what the Bible actually says. This is what the Berean Church did.