生命冊
啟示錄三章1至6節
1你要寫信給撒狄教會的使者，說：那有神的七靈和七星的，說：我知道你的行為，按名你是活的，其實是死的。
2你要儆醒，堅固那剩下將要衰微（原文是死）的；因我見你的行為，在我神面前，沒有一樣是完全的。
3所以要回想你是怎樣領受、怎樣聽見的、又要遵守，並要悔改。若不儆醒，我必臨到你那裡，如同賊一樣。我幾時臨到，你也決不能知道。
4然而在撒狄，你還有幾名是未曾污穢自己衣服的，他們要穿白衣與我同行，因為他們是配得過的。
5凡得勝的必這樣穿白衣，我也必不從生命冊上塗抹他的名；且要在我父面前，和我父眾使者面前，認他的名。
6聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！
信息分享
在基督徒的生活中，最令人振奮的其中一個經驗，就是加入一間生氣勃勃的教會：信徒深刻體驗到聖靈的能力在教會中運行；失喪的人能藉著教會的見證而得著救恩；而神的兒女亦積極地為主而活，過著榮耀基督的生活；每次聚會都能帶給信徒激勵和振興。
但死氣沉沉的教會卻是相反的光景。這種教會沒有一個固定的形態，所以不容易用三言兩語來勾劃出來。因為他可能看似充滿活力，但一切都不是為主而作。信徒雖然固定參與聚會，但他們的生命沒有改變，也不能對別人有任何正面的影響。撒狄教會正是處於這種光景。
基督對這教會全無稱讚；他已離棄真道，以致信徒既不尊重神的話語，也不再以基督作為生命之主。我們實在要引以為鑑。撒狄教會有一個美好的開始，但後來卻發生了某些事情，使他變成了一間失去生命力的教會，再不能為主做任何工作。
一間有生命力的教會應該有甚麼表現？其中一項特徵，是他會關心失喪的人。從這方面來看，撒狄完全不是一間重視宣教或傳福音的教會。一間有生命力的教會，會讓聖靈在裡面自由運行，聖靈會藉著神的話語來改變人心，進而改變人的生命。
但基督指出，即使在撒狄教會裡面，仍然有一些有生命力的信徒。換言之，即使在一間死氣沉沉的教會，也還有一些忠心的信徒努力挽救教會。基督對這些忠心的信徒說：「我必保守你的名字留在生命冊上。」這是何等寶貴的應許。終有一天，這本生命冊將會被打開，凡在冊上記有名字的人，都會與基督一同進入永恆的福樂。
你的名字記在生命冊上嗎？還沒有的話，為何你不趕緊祈求主把你的名字記上呢？當你決志相信基督，你就會發現祂是一位奇妙的救主和朋友，祂會滿足你的一切需要，由現在直至永恆。
THE BOOK OF LIFE
Revelation 3:1-6
1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
Message
One of the most exciting experiences a Christian can have is to belong to a live, active church, where the Spirit of God is moving; where the lost are being sought and saved; where God's people are seeking to live daily for Christ and his glory. It is a thrilling adventure every time people get together.
But a dead church is the opposite. It is hard to describe a dead church. Though it may look alive, there is nothing being accomplished for Christ. People are meeting together, but nothing is happening in their lives or in anyone else's life. That was what had happened at Sardis.
Christ had no praise for this church. It had drifted down until God's Word was not honoured and Christ was not given his rightful place. What a lesson for us. This church had begun well, but something had happened. It was now a dead church, doing nothing for the Lord.
What are the signs of life in a church? A concern for the lost souls of men and women is one sign. Sardis was not a missionary church nor an evangelistic church. A live church is one where the Spirit of God is free to move and to use his Word in the hearts of his people. It is a place where lives are being changed.
Christ said there were a few people even in Sardis that still had life. This is often true even in a dead church-there are a faithful few who are still trying to keep the church in the place where it ought to be. For them Christ said, 'I will keep your name in my book of life'. What a wonderful promise. That book will one day be opened and those whose names are written there will enter into the blessing of eternity with Christ.
Is your name written in that, book? If not why not ask Christ to write it there today? You will find him to be a wonderful Saviour and friend and one who can meet all your needs now and for all eternity.