Wake Up & Remember
Revelation 3:1-6
The Danger of Gospel Amnesia: Waking Up to God's Grace
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to become forgetful. We misplace our keys, lose the TV remote, or forget important appointments. While these lapses in memory are often inconvenient, they rarely have lasting consequences. But what happens when we forget something far more crucial – the very essence of our faith?
There's a spiritual forgetfulness that can creep into our lives as believers, a condition some have termed "gospel amnesia." It's a functional unawareness of God's story and work in our lives – forgetting what Christ has done for us, who we are in Him, and the incredible gifts we've been given through faith.
This spiritual amnesia isn't a new phenomenon. We see it vividly portrayed in the ancient church of Sardis, described in the book of Revelation. On the surface, Sardis appeared to be thriving. They had a stellar reputation, buzzing with activity and seemingly vibrant ministries. Yet Jesus' message to them was stark: "You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead."
How could a church with such outward signs of health be in such spiritual danger? The answer lies in their forgetfulness of the gospel's power and purpose.
The church at Sardis had fallen into a deep spiritual slumber. They had forgotten their first love and compromised with the world around them. Rather than standing out as a beacon of light, they had chosen to blend in, avoiding the social and economic pressures that came with bold faith in the Roman Empire.
Jesus' call to them was clear: "Wake up!" It was time for Sardis to remember what they had received – the transformative message of the gospel. They needed to recall their purpose as a lampstand, meant to shine the light of Christ into the darkness around them.
This call to wake up and remember isn't just for an ancient church. It's a vital message for every believer today. We, too, can easily slip into a state of gospel amnesia, going through the motions of faith without truly living in the power of what we profess to believe.
Consider these questions:
Do you find yourself striving to earn God's approval through good works, rather than resting in the finished work of Christ?
Are you more concerned with others' opinions of you than with how God sees you in Christ?
Do you walk in freedom from guilt and shame, or do you constantly beat yourself up over past sins?
Is anxiety a constant companion, or do you trust in God's sovereign care for your life?
If you resonate with any of these, you may be experiencing symptoms of gospel amnesia. The good news is that there's a cure, and it starts with remembering.
Remember that in Christ, your sins have been removed "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12). They've been cast into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). On the cross, Jesus took your sin and gave you His perfect record. You stand justified – declared not guilty – before God.
Remember that your worth and identity are not found in others' opinions or your own accomplishments, but in Christ's love for you. You are a beloved child of God, and your name is written in the Lamb's book of life.
Remember that anxiety has no place in a heart that truly believes God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Your heavenly Father sees you and cares about every detail of your life.
But how do we actively combat gospel amnesia and wake up to these truths? The sermon points us to three key verbs: worship, keep, and walk.
Worship: Gathering with other believers to sing, pray, and hear God's Word preached reminds us of the gospel story we've been brought into. It lifts our gaze from our circumstances to the majesty of Christ.
Keep: Obedience to God's commands isn't about earning salvation, but about experiencing the joy and life they bring. Jesus said, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love" (John 15:10).
Walk: Cultivate a daily, moment-by-moment relationship with Jesus. This involves consistent time in His Word, allowing it to dwell richly within you, and responding in prayer and obedience.
The beautiful truth is that we're not left to our own devices in this fight against spiritual forgetfulness. The Holy Spirit – the very power of God – resides within every believer. He is the one who first awakened us to the beauty of the gospel, and He continues to work in us, reminding us of all that Jesus taught (John 14:26).
As we conclude, let's remember that while we may be a forgetful people, we serve a God who never forgets His own. He is faithful even when we are not. His mercies are new every morning, and His grace is sufficient for each day.
May we wake up to the glorious reality of the gospel, allowing it to permeate every aspect of our lives. Let's shake off the slumber of spiritual complacency and shine brightly as beacons of Christ's love in a world desperately in need of hope.
Today, take a moment to preach the gospel to yourself. Remind your soul of who you are in Christ and all He has done for you. Let the truth of God's unfailing love wash over you anew. And then, empowered by that grace, go and live as the light you were called to be.