There are two kinds of people: the ones who wake up as soon as the alarm clock goes off and the ones who hit the snooze button to get just a few more minutes of sleep. 57% of people hit the snooze button at least once. There is an alarm going off in our world today, and a lot of people either can’t hear it, or they’re just hitting the snooze button and falling back asleep.

In this Direct Message from God from the book of Revelation, Jesus sent this letter to the Christians in Sardis and His message to them is, “WAKE UP!”

Revelation 3:1-6

“Write this letter to the angel* of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit* of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.”

Does your past reputation match your present reality?

Your reputation is who people say you are, but your character is who you really are! We need to be more focused on our character than our reputation.

4 Wake Up Calls!

2 Wake up! Jesus gives us 4 wake up calls:

  • Wake up and Work Out. (2a)

Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead.

No Pain, No Gain. No one persecuted the Christians in Sardis because they weren’t doing anything to make a difference in their city. They were just fitting in. A little opposition would have made them stronger.

If you don’t want anybody saying anything bad about you, then don’t do anything to make a difference. The moment you step out and start doing something to make a difference, or an impact, you have a target on your back.

  • Wake Up and Keep Going! (2b)

2b I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.

Obey all the way, don’t just go halfway.

So we should not be like other people who are sleeping, but we should be alert and have self-control. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NCV)

Stepping across the line of faith to follow Jesus isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting line.

  • Wake Up and Hold On! (3a)

3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly.

Hold on to what you first believed in. Feed your faith and doubt your doubts.

  • Wake Up and Come Home! (3b)

3b Repent and turn to me again.

Come home to Jesus by turning from the direction you are headed and turning back to Him.

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.

If you don’t wake up, He gives what he planned for you to somebody else. You miss out on doing what He wanted to do through you.

4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white.

To the ones who were still awake, Jesus didn’t say, “Leave that messed-up church and go to the one down the street.” He said, “Stay in your church and help to make it awesome!”

They were very fashion concerned about what they looked like, but not concerned about who they were on the inside. You don’t have to clean yourself up! Jesus gives you brand new bright white clothes!

I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.  6 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Napoleon Bonaparte said, “China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will move the world!” That same thing could be said about the Christian church in the world today. It’s time for the church to wake up!

This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14

We naturally wake up when the light starts shining. God’s Spirit is shining a light today and saying: Wake Up.

You need to know whether you are awake or sleeping. Are you awake to God? Are you awake to the life He has for you?