Plan of God

Dear Brethren,

As the fall Holy Days quickly approach, our minds should increasingly be on the Plan of God.  When we came into God's Church years ago, we believed that the Church would keep getting larger until Christ's return.  Things did not work out as we once thought they would.  In fact, the brethren have been scattered in every direction under the sun, and Jesus Christ has still not returned.  Because of the falling away, some remaining brethren have lost faith, and the love of many has grown cold.  "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."  (Matthew 24:12)   "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first..."  (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

God was not surprised by what happened in the Church - even if we were.  What are we to do now?  Is it every man for himself?  Certainly not!  Now, more than ever, we must be practicing the first principles of Jesus Christ with an earnest expectation that the Plan of God is going to be fulfilled.  One thing we should be doing right now is working to patch up the injured and round up those who were driven away by force and cruelty.  Here is what Jesus will say to some.  "The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them."  (Ezekiel 34:4)

What can we hope to achieve?  Brethren, it is not a matter of building a great lasting earthly endeavor.  All organizations in history have fallen apart - or soon will.  How can we expect to accomplish anything or amount to anything?  Good question!  Where do we find the hope to continue?  Should we even try, or should we just give up?  The answer lies in believing that God's Plan is going to be accomplished.

Please realize that the first century Church of the apostles fell apart - not entirely - but it too was scattered to the four winds.   It grew and prospered for a little while, and then was lost to history.  Paul wrote about that first break-up of the Church when everyone in Asia left him.  For true Christians at that time, it was extremely difficult.  Did God intend for His Church, established at the first Pentecost, to become ever larger and larger?  No.  Christ called His Church "the little flock."  It should be clear at this point in history that nothing is permanent on this earth.  Not earthly organizations of men, not even God's Temple at Jerusalem - nothing, that is, except the Spirit of God in the children of God - it remains.  Be mindful of this one thing - God's Plan is sure.

To some, it may seem that God's Plan has become side tracked.  But, we know better than that - God's Plan is on track.  When we stop and think about it, down deep we know it.  Jesus Christ is working out every detail of His Plan to usher in the Kingdom of His Father.

In order to get a better focus on our present circumstance, let's step back far enough back to see the larger panorama of history.  We are privileged to be able to see all the Church eras as they unfolded from that first century until now.  Only the end time Church is able to recognize that God's Plan is right on schedule.  It is coming to fruition, even now.  So much fulfillment of prophecy is obvious to us, and better than that, we are the recipients of the Gospel message that was prophesied to go to the ends of the earth at the very end time.  We are that close to the Kingdom of God being established on this earth!  "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."  (Matthew 24:14)

What should we be doing with the precious wisdom we possess?  It seems as though many of our brethren are standing around today saying to themselves, "I wish somebody would do something."  They reason, "If only a great leader would arise, I would surely lend a helping hand."  Let's remember that God the Father has placed us in the Body where it pleases Him.  Wherever we find ourselves today - it is the right place to live our Christianity as a demonstration to others with whom God is working.

If we are looking for a strong personality to lead a popular religious movement - remember this - Satan's counterfeit will fool the very elect, if possible.  That is the way things are going to work out.  A strong religious leader will arise, sitting in the temple of God and claiming to be God, but we don't want any part of his signs and miracles!  "There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."  (Matthew 24:24)

"Be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."  (2 Thes 2:2-4)

Brethren, what are we to be doing now?  God tells us we should recognize that things are coming to a head.  We were called during the Philadelphia era of brotherly love.  We are the people who are to be known for our love for our fellow man.  The world desperately needs what we have.  We cannot allow ourselves to grow weary.

Jesus asks the question, "Will I find faith when I return," indicating that we will not be a huge group at His return.  God's Plan is definitely on track and on schedule.  We have no choice but to maintain our idealism, our fervor, and our zeal for the truth.  God tells us to "hold fast" and He encourages us to be patient.   And in addition, we must also be "so doing."

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Sermon:

"Plan of God"