Revelation: Church of Sardis, Depend on the Holy Spirit | May 29, 2023

“The devil doesn’t care what we depend on as long as it isn’t Holy Spirit.” —Daniel Henderson

As Pastor Tom taught about the city of Sardis yesterday, he shared about the grotesque and tragic worship that was practiced there—the brutal acts of violence and self-mutilation. But in the middle of the darkness, brave Christians stepped in to love those who were hurting and loved them. They did not say, “You got what you deserved.” They did not judge them or ignore them. They walked right into the middle of their messes to love them there, just as Jesus taught them.

 Pastor Tom challenged us, “May we have the courage and strength to walk into the darkest places our world has to offer and lovingly lead those people into the arms of the Father.” There is only one way we will ever have the courage and strength to do so, and that is by walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-25 ESV

Keep in Step with the Spirit

¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 

Father God, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who not only comforts, counsels, and convicts, but gives courage to walk into the darkest places to shine Your light and love. May Your Holy Spirit revitalize my heart and give me strength to do gospel works, leading with love and revealing Your glory to a dying world.