生命册
启示录三章1至6节
1你要写信给撒狄教会的使者，说：那有神的七灵和七星的，说：我知道你的行为，按名你是活的，其实是死的。
2你要儆醒，坚固那剩下将要衰微（原文是死）的；因我见你的行为，在我神面前，没有一样是完全的。
3所以要回想你是怎样领受、怎样听见的、又要遵守，并要悔改。若不儆醒，我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到，你也决不能知道。
4然而在撒狄，你还有几名是未曾污秽自己衣服的，他们要穿白衣与我同行，因为他们是配得过的。
5凡得胜的必这样穿白衣，我也必不从生命册上涂抹他的名；且要在我父面前，和我父众使者面前，认他的名。
6圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！
信息分享
在基督徒的生活中，最令人振奋的其中一个经验，就是加入一间生气勃勃的教会：信徒深刻体验到圣灵的能力在教会中运行；失丧的人能借着教会的见证而得着救恩；而神的儿女亦积极地为主而活，过着荣耀基督的生活；每次聚会都能带给信徒激励和振兴。
但死气沉沉的教会却是相反的光景。这种教会没有一个固定的形态，所以不容易用三言两语来勾划出来。因为他可能看似充满活力，但一切都不是为主而作。信徒虽然固定参与聚会，但他们的生命没有改变，也不能对别人有任何正面的影响。撒狄教会正是处于这种光景。
基督对这教会全无称赞；他已离弃真道，以致信徒既不尊重神的话语，也不再以基督作为生命之主。我们实在要引以为鉴。撒狄教会有一个美好的开始，但后来却发生了某些事情，使他变成了一间失去生命力的教会，再不能为主做任何工作。
一间有生命力的教会应该有甚么表现？其中一项特征，是他会关心失丧的人。从这方面来看，撒狄完全不是一间重视宣教或传福音的教会。一间有生命力的教会，会让圣灵在里面自由运行，圣灵会借着神的话语来改变人心，进而改变人的生命。
但基督指出，即使在撒狄教会里面，仍然有一些有生命力的信徒。换言之，即使在一间死气沉沉的教会，也还有一些忠心的信徒努力挽救教会。基督对这些忠心的信徒说：「我必保守你的名字留在生命册上。」这是何等宝贵的应许。终有一天，这本生命册将会被打开，凡在册上记有名字的人，都会与基督一同进入永恒的福乐。
你的名字记在生命册上吗？还没有的话，为何你不赶紧祈求主把你的名字记上呢？当你决志相信基督，你就会发现祂是一位奇妙的救主和朋友，祂会满足你的一切需要，由现在直至永恒。
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.