“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Revelations 3:1-3

“Remember what you have received and heard…” 

When we listen to sermons, read the Bible, or come across the word of God in any medium, recognize God speaks to us directly. Another human being might utter those words, but those words come from God.

He talks to us. 

He guides us.  

When we listen to God’s word, we understand and keep those words because the Holy Spirit works inside of us. The Holy Spirit plants a firm resolve and comprehension. The “seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” provide understanding about situations we confront and what is happening in our lives.

There is a big difference between saying, “I heard it in a sermon” and “God speaks to me.” We must have faith and believe those words from preachers or the Bible come directly from God. When reading the Bible, instead of skimming mindlessly, get on your knees and ask, “Dear Lord, what are you trying to teach me here?” When you listen to a sermon, ask the Lord, “What message are you trying to convey to me through this preacher?” Eliminate the middle medium and recognize God speaks to you directly!

“…and keep it, and repent.”

When we listen to a sermon or read the Bible and the Holy Spirit works inside of us, God tells us what to do. Listen, recognize the voice comes from God, and act accordingly. Keep it and repent! Adhere to this guidance in your everyday lives. Since God Himself guides us, there’s nothing we can’t do! There’s no mountain we can’t climb! The omnipotent and omniscient God speaks to us. He tells us the course of action to take when we face a dilemma. Regardless of how hard or daunting the task may be, follow through!

“I have not found your deeds completed in the sight…” We often fail because we leave work unfinished.  God chastises the Church in Sardis because their deeds are incomplete. Our task is to move what we have received and heard to our everyday lives. We must never stop at simply “remembering” what we’ve received. Complete the deeds set before us! But how is this possible? When we think of His Word and how God speaks to us directly, have faith the Lord resides within us! We feel empowered. Once filled with this power, we can complete all the deeds set before us.

Summary

1. When reading the Bible or listening to sermons, God speaks to us directly. 
2. Leave no deed unfinished. 

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