A Blind Church - part 1

Dear Brethren,

Why does God say to us in these last days,  “You do not know that you are blind; ... anoint thine eyes with eye salve that you may be able to see.” (Revelation 3:17-18)

We know that the world abides in blindness, but how can God say of His Church, “You are blind?”  No one wants to even consider such a thing.  For generations within God’s Church we have witnessed an agenda wherein our headquarters and leadership have always tried to make light of our sins and short-comings.  Even when we have experienced severe sin and grave troubles among the membership or ministry, we have endeavored to show ourselves in the most positive light possible in order to put on a façade of perfection.  It has been as though we were attempting to uphold a reputation of our Church which was not warranted.  When that sort of thing is taking place, some weak brethren can get the idea that, “we are doing just fine – God is totally pleased with our conduct.”

At the same time, we find ministers being continuously exonerated for the vilest abuses toward the little ones.  Not only the abuse of treating them harshly and putting them out of the congregations (then they would stand a chance of getting back on their feet), but the abuse of not teaching that God is serious about:  Forgiving one another, parents being honored, showing mercy, generosity (rather than trusting in mammon), marriage is for life, loving all the brethren, etc.  We are truly lukewarm!

On the other hand, as we read through Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, we find Jesus Christ being brutally transparent about the weaknesses among His peoples.  God does not white-wash the sins of His Churches—but rather sternly warns them.  Notice the strong displeasure He has with His Churches – He publicly exposes those who come short and are guilty:

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against you...  Repent, or I will remove thy candlestick out of his place (meaning they would no longer be His Church).  I have a few things against thee, because you have some there holding [wrong] doctrines...  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee...  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.  I will kill her children with death; and all the Churches shall know that I am He which searches the reins and hearts…  I have not found thy works perfect before God.  You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Does that “few names” mean that most have defiled their garments?)  Be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Brethren, Jesus is certainly not white-washing His Church.  In this last era of God’s Church, do we believe that we are going to get off scot-free and breeze into His Kingdom?  Why have not these weaknesses been more widely preached among God’s people as a warning to us?  Why does God tell us that we are blind?  The answer is because, we are blind.

In today’s sermon we will be looking at how God has allowed the world to remain blinded and in darkness until He establishes the Kingdom of God over all the earth.  However, in God’s Church, we understand - we know the truth.  There is a spiritual darkness that encompasses the world—but God’s people have been shown that glorious light.  The rest of humanity must await a future date when all will be recipients of God’s Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29).  Let us understand that God has already brought His Church out of blindness into His glorious light.

1Peter 2:9-10  You [Church brethren] are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people purchased and possessed by God; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.  Who in time past were not a people but are now the people of God.

We have all experienced what it is like to try to describe God’s way of life to someone in the world who has not been specifically called to this truth.  It is almost as if their eyes glaze over and their mind changes channels.  Sometimes they try to follow what you are saying – but to no avail.  They simply cannot understand.

John 1:5  The light shone in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

For those of us who are sitting in God’s congregations around the earth today, let us hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. 

Luke 11:35  Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. 

Because, to a man, we all say, “We see,” Jesus has one more warning for us:

John 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, “We see;” therefore your sin.

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Today's Sermon:  "A Blind Church - part 1"  
Today's Sermon:  "A Blind Church - part 2"  


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