Strengthen the Things - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
- Pastor Shiflett
- Aug 31, 2025
- 3 min read
Strengthen the Things
Revelation 3:1-3
Intro: Structured and Strengthened is the focus of September. I want to take this passage and make an application to those that are involved and serving the Lord in ministry.
This passage deals with works and service.
Notice verse 1:
A. The Review that was Unmistakable – “…I know thy works…”
WORKS: business, employment, that which any one is occupied; that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking
B. The Reputation that was Unreliable – “…that thou hast a name that thou livest…”
Our church has a name.
You have a name.
The question is NOT do you have a name; the question is: what IS your name?
C. The Results that were Undeniable – “…and art dead…”
God has never called something dead that wasn’t dead.
The problem is we keep propping up that which is dead and pretending it’s not.
We keep dressing it up, putting cologne on it and
I. Reassess
A. Introspection - Be watchful
WATCHFUL: to watch; give strict attention to, be cautious, active; to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one
We need to take a long, hard look at what we are doing.
We need to look at WHY we are doing.
We need to look at HOW we are doing it.
We need to look at WHEN we are doing it. (with eyeservice as menpleasers, or
B. Inspection - strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die
STRENGTHEN: to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix, make firm, to render constant, confirm, one’s mind
READY TO DIE: check the pulse; check the vital signs; you won’t make it if you don’t!
C. Imperfection - for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
PERFECT:
· to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full
· to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally
· to render full, i.e. to complete
· to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim
II. Remember
The message here is very specific, and it is very convicting.
Jesus is not telling the church of Sardis to remember WHAT they had received and heard.
He is telling them to remember HOW they had received and heard.
This is not so much about remembering what was said, as it is how they responded to it.
Do you remember HOW you received the Gospel?
Do you remember HOW you received the news that you could serve God at Calvary Baptist Church?
Do you remember HOW you received and heard that there was a place for you to get involved?
QUESTION: Have you lost that feeling?
Have you lost that excitement? That thrill? That joy of serving Jesus?
Has the honor to be a part of the work of God grown cold?
Do you remember how you felt when you signed up to serve?
Remember when you read the guidelines and requirements and was glad because you could do it?
What about now?
III. Reaffirm
· “…and hold fast…”
HOLD FAST: to attend to carefully, take care of; to guard
Pay attention.
Don’t get comfortable.
Don’t loosen your grip.
Don’t take your eyes off the goal.
Don’t stop paying attention to the details.
Don’t stop listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Don’t stop taking it seriously.
That is how things die.
That is how ministries run off the rails.
That is how you lose your reward.
· Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
IV. Repent
Turn around.
Before you can turn your ministry around, you have to ask God to help you get turned around.
Return to your first love.
Return to the HOW you received and heard.
Return to the level of excitement and carefulness.
Return to the level of faithfulness and cooperation.
Conclusion: Revelation 3:3b 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.
