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Lest Darkness Come Upon You
(UCG Break-Up) |
Dear Brethren,
It is Christmas Day 2010, and all the people in God’s Church
think, What a terrible thing that all of society around us is reveling in a Pagan
celebration.” We are the enlightened – they are in the dark. Jesus said
unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light,
lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not whither he goes.
” (John 12:35) This week was marked by the longest night of the year.
If that were not enough darkness, a lunar eclipse this week fell on the winter solstice
for the first time since 1638. The world is in spiritual darkness as evidenced by
its Christmas decorations – but is it possible that the Church of God has let
darkness come upon it?
Church of God, a Worldwide Association, a new
corporate church organization, has split off from the United
Church of God, an International association.
Once again, many of the brethren of God’s Church are facing
a major break-up of their corporate organization. A terrible situation is looming.
In some ways, this current Church split-up is worse than the one when the Worldwide
Church of God crumbled nearly twenty years ago. Perhaps 70% of the members of
Worldwide openly embraced the regression back into Protestantism – proving that they were
not believers at all. But this time, doctrine is not being rewritten – and all the
members profess to be believers. Families are being torn apart – something that God
hates. Friends and brethren will be prohibited from taking Passover together.
Those who look forward to seeing loved ones at the Feast of Tabernacles will have their
dreams shattered.
There are priorities that must be seriously considered by
those affected when church organizations fragment. What is causing this monumental
Church split? The worst part of the disintegration is that innocent brethren are
being hurt badly. Would Jesus Christ, with a hundred sheep, crush even one of them
in order to advance His agenda? Of course not! And the reason Jesus would not
hurt even one member is because His primary focus is the spiritual well-being of the sheep.
It is the spiritual welfare of the brethren that is of paramount importance – not
who’s in charge.
If Jesus’ main concern is the brethren, shouldn’t the
ministry’s focal point also be on the brethren? How has the center of attention
moved to councils and corporate organizations rather than to what is important for the
members? When will men realize that the chief concern is not a matter of man's
rulership? The big question is not whether government will be from the top down or
democratic – from the bottom up. True Christians will pursue the Will of God
the Father and Jesus Christ according to the Word of God – and not according to a manmade
constitution, by-laws, bureaucracy, and legal maneuvers that only serve to hinder right
relationships with God and brethren.
God’s work is not a matter of loyalty to Herbert Armstrong
nor is it a matter of loyalty to a modern progressive organization.God’s work, according
to Christ, is a matter of living our lives so as to induce others to believe in Jesus
Christ according to God’s Will. This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him
[Jesus Christ] whom He [God the Father] hath sent.” (John 6:29) And, God
calls whomsoever He Will – but it is the brethren who are given the responsibility to
provide the suitable spiritual habitat, in which a new member can grow, mature, and come
to conversion. How can God call a new person into an environment of strife and
contention where the body is disintegrating?
Our primary duty is to love God and our fellow man
according to Godly principles – not to compromise the high standards of Jesus Christ for
the sake of being in a large congregation. We are indeed a small flock –
scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd (Luke 12:32, Matthew 9:36)
We are to draw near to God with our whole heart. Jesus said, I will not
leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” Jesus explains that both He and,
the Father are with us. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father
will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
(John 14:18, 23)
God has allowed another severe fragmentation of His people
to occur because we have not yet learned to look to Him and put Him first above all
else. Instead, people look to men. People look to corporations. People
are concerned about their paychecks. What does God say? Seek ye first the
Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
(Matthew 6:33) Do we believe that, or do we only pay lip service to God’s
Word while we plot and contrive political solutions? It matters not how many people
in our town are spiritually mature – God sends tests according to His timetable. We
who are of little faith ask questions like, Who will my children marry?” or With whom
shall I assemble?” Can we trust God to provide what is best for us?
We must each be a light to everyone by our good example –
yes, sometimes we must be examples even to the ministry (Matthew 5:16). Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.” We do that by standing for what is right according to God’s Word
– without compromise – no matter what the popular trend might be. If we believe that
we are called to support one political agenda over another – we are not listening to the
voice of Christ. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
(John 10:27)
We are never permitted or asked by Jesus Christ to violate
any of His principles in order to achieve some objective – Jesus never works that way.
And, men who violate the slightest rule of God to attain their purposes are not
listening to the voice of Christ. We have been warned. They that are such
serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches
deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:18) Look at a man’s history
– and judge him by his fruits. Has he been a servant leader to all of God’s people –
everywhere? Does he possess the love of God? Has he laid down his life for
the brethren in response to Christ’s command? Hereby perceive we the love of God,
because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
(1John 3:16)
Here is what will be taking place on a large scale over the
next few months. Brethren will be asked to make the decision to be loyal. Even
now, they are being asked to be "loyalists" to a corporation – like those who are loyalists
to a king, no matter how evil he rules. And, they are being told that loyalty to
headquarters is what Jesus expects of them. They will be asked to be loyal to
certain ministers – based on their charismatic personality or emotional appeal.
Brethren, check out both positions – and then be loyal only to God and
choose those men who exhibit the principles of God without compromise. This may be
the most important decision you will ever make.
Whenever ministers put their corporate organization ahead of
serving the brethren – they are putting God last. That is idolatry. No one
worries about idolatry today – but that is what it is. I know that they reason
around that – but it is true. If they ask you to close your eyes to violations of
fundamental Christian principles – they are not of the true Church of God. They
really believe that if they uphold the corporate organization, first and foremost, it will
benefit them and the majority of the brethren in the long run. That is a lack of
faith!
Jesus makes it plain for us – it is not difficult.
Our minds should [not] be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
(2 Cor 11:3) We are to love God and we are to have a Godly love for our fellow man
(Mark 12:30-31). Two points – that's simple! And then, to make it even simpler
yet, Jesus says we accomplish the first by doing the second! Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
(Matthew 25:40, 1 John 4:20)
God says that the brethren constitute the Church. The
Church was never an organization – not at Pasadena – or anywhere else for that matter.
The Church consists of those converted men and women in whom God’s Spirit dwells.
As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God.”
(Romans 8:14) Brethren, let us be sure that we walk as the children of light.
Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness
.” (Luke 11:35)
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Sermon: "Lest Darkness Come Upon You"
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