OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL DATE: TUESDAY AUGUST 16TH 2022

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY AUGUST 16TH 2022

THEME: LETTER TO THE SARDIS CHURCH 1

MEMORISE:
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Romans 13:11

READ:
Revelation 3:1 -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.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

MESSAGE:
Historical records have it that the city of Sardis was besieged and overpowered by various nations at different times, primarily because the inhabitants are not as watchful as they should have been. This same carelessness that was prevalent in the city has entered the Church in Sardis who had not soiled their garment, there was no good thing for Jesus to say about them. Jesus say they should be watchful and strengthen the things that were remaining and about to die (Revelation 3:1-3).

These people were slack in upholding their faith. You cannot be a good Christian if you are not disciplined. Any Christian who is lazy about their faith will soil their garment. John 5:17 says:

*But Jesus. answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and l work.*

Some Christians are so lazy that they offer Pastors money to pray and fast for them. God will not accept such fasting and prayer. If you cannot fast and pray by yourself, you don’t read your Bible, you don’t attend fellowships, you don’t work in the vineyard of God, you don’t evangelise, then you are dying spiritually. It is only a matter of time before sin creeps in and you find yourself back in the world. If you want to stand firm in Christ until the end, you must be watchful!

*Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall*. 1 Corinthians 10:12

What are the things that you must watch out for as a Christian?
You must watch against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). You must watch against temptations (Matthew 26:41). You must watch out against false teaching by reading you Bible yourself (Acts 20:29-30). You must watch out against sub-standard or lazy service to God because He will judge your service (Revelation 3:2). Lastly you must watch out for coming of our Lord Jesus Christ because no one knows the date or the time that he will come (Matthew 24:42-43).

KEY POINT:
Christians must be disciplined and watchful.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 37-40

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: HO MY COMRADES SEE THE SIGNAL
1. Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

Refrain:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven,
“By Thy grace we will.”

2. See the mighty host advancing,
Satan leading on,
Mighty ones around us falling,
courage almost gone!

3. See the glorious banner waving,
Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we
triumph over every foe.

4. Fierce and long the battle rages,
but our help is near,
Onward comes our great Commander,
cheer, my comrades, cheer!