In the episode of Faith Comes by Hearing, Dr. Larson discusses the letter from Christ Jesus to the Church in Sardis, a congregation that had a strong reputation but was spiritually dead and indifferent. While the other churches in Revelation received some praise alongside criticism, the Sardis congregation received none, as their faith was a "performance" for others rather than a genuine devotion to God. Despite their deadness, Jesus extended a merciful call to repentance, which the church heeded, leading to their eventual revival as noted in later historical records.