Revelation 3:1-6
Sardis: The Living Corpse
INTRODUCTION - Mike the Headless Chicken
On September 10, 1945, Mike’s short life was about to take a turn for the worse. On this day, Mike received a death sentence. His owners, Lloyd and Clara Olsen, decided that it was time to slaughter a group of birds, some to sell and to prepare others for themselves. Out to the hen house they went…
As you can probably imagine, Mr. Olsen was the one whacking the heads off while Clara plucked and cleaned the birds. Bash! Down came the ax and off went Mike’s head. Mike’s head was surely dead. Mike’s body was not.
Now I know what you are thinking - it is well known that chickens will run around frantically when their heads are chopped off. That’s probably where that old expression comes from. And, everyone knows that a headless chicken just can’t survive more than a few moments.
Apparently, Mike forgot to read the rulebook for playing the game of Life. His head may have been lying on the floor, but he had no problem standing up and strutting around as if nothing had actually happened. The next day, Mike was still flopping around, so Lloyd decided to feed him to see how long he could keep the bird alive. Day after day he continued to gain weight.
Mike could easily balance himself on the highest perches without falling. His crowing consisted of a gurgling sound made in his throat. Mike even attempted to preen his feathers with his nonexistent head (apparently he never noticed). It seems that Mike could do just about anything that any other chicken could do, if you exclude all of the functions of his head.
As I’m sure you can imagine, headless chickens are not an everyday event. In the tradition of that famous huckster P.T. Barnum, there was money to be made in this oddity. A promoter by the name of Hope Wade came along and convinced Lloyd that Mike would be a big draw in the sideshow circuit. Miracle Mike, as he soon came to be known, toured up and down the West Coast of the United States. Just six weeks after his beheading, Mike was featured in a Life magazine article and his fame grew. For just 25 cents, anyone could pay to get a look at Mike. At the height of his popularity, Mike was raking in a cool $4,500 per month, which was no small potatoes in those days. They probably would have thrown in his head as a bonus - it was stored in a canning jar and toured along with Mike.
So how was Mike able to survive? Scientists examined him and determined that Mr. Olsen had not done a very good job at chopping Mike’s head off. Most of the head was actually removed, but one ear remained intact. The slice actually missed the jugular vein and a clot prevented him from bleeding to death. Apparently, most of a chicken’s reflex actions are located in the brain stem, which was also largely untouched. Mike was also examined by the officers of several humane societies and was declared to have been free from suffering.
Through his open esophagus, Mike was fed a mixture of ground up grain and water with your typical eyedropper. Little bits of gravel were dropped down his throat to help his gizzard grind up the food.
One serious problem that Mike commonly experienced was that he would start to choke on his own mucus. The Olsens came up with the simple solution of using a syringe to suck the mucus out. But, one day tragedy struck. Mike was traveling back home to Fruita and was roosting with the Olsens in their Phoenix motel room. They heard Mike choking in the middle of the night and quickly realized that they had left the syringe at the sideshow the day before. Miracle Mike was no more.
The exact date of Mike’s belated departure from this world was never recorded. Years later, it was estimated, based on Lloyd’s information, that Miracle Mike died in March of 1947. Eighteen months living without a head could be considered a world’s record.
But wait, the story is not over! Mike actually has his own holiday! On May 17, 1999, Mike’s hometown of Fruita held the first "Mike the Headless Chicken Day" in honor of one of its most famous citizens. Some of the events included the 5K Run Like a Headless Chicken Race, egg tosses, Pin the Head on the Chicken, the Chicken Cluck-Off, and the classic Chicken Dance. The food offerings included - you guessed it - chicken, chicken salad, and the like. Let’s not forget the great game of Chicken Bingo in which the numbers were chosen by where chicken droppings fell on a numbered grid.
Sardis was a church that was much like Mike the Headless Chicken. They were alive but only technically! Sardis needed to get their head back on!
We now move southeast 30 miles from Thyatira to Sardis. Sardis had a long and rich history. They had wealth, prosperity, and success! They were known for their woolen garments and prominent trade center. They were located on an almost inaccessible plateau. This acropolis was located 1,500 feet above the valley floor. The people of Sardis considered themselves invincible to invading armies. But they had not heard God’s assessment of their situation!
The Refinement Determined 1a
The Recipients of the letter are addressed. The pastor is encouraged to proclaim this message to his congregation. The people of Sardis had become comfortable, complacent and careless in their relationship with God. Jesus insisted there be a change!
The Review of the church is also given by Jesus. He knows all things and gives a true evaluation of the church in Sardis. In this verse, notice both His omniscience and omnipotence. He has complete knowledge of everything. Jesus controls the message and the messenger.
The Reputation Described 1b
As Jesus describes this church notice what He commends and condemns. Sardis had a reputation that they were Alive. Many outsiders and unbelievers would describe this church as a vibrant and positive congregation! They impressed people! But Jesus was not electrified by their reputation!
They were Active. They had a plethora of programs, ministries and activities in Sardis! They were so busy.
They were also Ambitious. Sardis led in cutting edge ministries. They had people lined up to learn how it was done at the Sardis Heights Church. They were planning to go global with their new book The Status-Driven Church. Because of this they were considered Attractive and the church of their day. Plans were being formulated to hold annual conferences and sell Status-Driven merchandise! The church in Sardis rocked! So, how could anything so good be considered so bad?
The Reality Detected 1c
Well, Jesus had a few choice words to the Sardis church.
They were Dead! There was no life in the church! They practiced formal, ceremonial and ritualistic worship. Sardis was now living on a reputation of their former glory.
They were Deluded! They had become deceived. The Sardis church had become complacent and lethargic in their spiritual growth.
They needed a reality check because they were both Defective and Defiled! They were worldly and had developed ingrown eyeballs! It was all about their church. Sardis had dead worship, dead preaching, dead ministry, and now a dead hope! So what could be done?
The Remedy Demanded 2-3
Jesus had an answer!
They were told to Wake Up! If one does not learn from history, they are bound to repeat it! There was carelessness in the camp. Jesus warned them regarding their lax attitude.
They were also told to Watch Out! Jesus exhorted them to be on the alert! The enemy is near! Sardis knew from the past what could happen.
They were told to Work Out! They were not completing their purpose as the redeemed church…the ekklesia!
So Jesus gave Sardis three commands to accomplish! Remember your rich spiritual heritage! Rebuild your life in Me! Repent from your apathy and lethargy.
The Remnant Designated 4-6
Finally, Jesus had some Personal words to say. He had a remnant that was faithful and had not forgotten why they were there. He provided them a promise for their faithfulness.
He also had some Practical words for Sardis. There was still hope…they could be an over-comer, a victor. They would receive a white garment, a place in heaven and a welcome to glory!
With these words, He uttered Powerful words. If you have spiritual ears, you too, will obey and respond to Him!
