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Spiritual Blindness (Part One): The God of This World
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeGod exercises sovereignty over both physical sight and spiritual vision, demonstrating His authority to blind as part of His purpose. At times, He removes literal or metaphorical sight to work out His will. In Scripture, God uses His servants, such as angels and humans, to blind those who oppose Him. For instance, He blinded the violent Sodomites through angels sent to deliver Lot, and at Elisha's request, He temporarily blinded the Syrian army. Similarly, through Paul, He struck Elymas the sorcerer blind for a time, and Christ Himself blinded Paul on the road to Damascus to reveal his spiritual blindness. God declares His control over physical and spiritual abilities in Exodus 4:11, affirming that whether one sees or is blind is in His hands. He also conceals matters as part of His glory, as noted in Proverbs 25:2. In John 9, Christ heals a man born blind, teaching that blindness may result from sin or serve a purpose God is working out. Furthermore, as a curse for disobedience, God promises madness, blindness, and confusion of heart, hindering the ability to understand or reason, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:15,28. This mental blindness leaves individuals unable to discern their plight or find true solutions. Christ asserts in John 9:39 that part of His ministry is to make some blind while opening the eyes of others, showing His prerogative to govern spiritual vision. This principle of blinding extends to God's actions with Israel, where He has temporarily blinded them until His work with others is complete, intending to restore their understanding in the future. God's willingness to blind, whether physically or spiritually, underscores His sovereign control over human perception and understanding.
Who Is the 'God of This World'? (Part One)
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeTranslators use a lowercase "g" in "god of this age [or, world]" in II Corinthians 4:4, yet it is the true God who blinds; He alone opens and closes eyes.
Spiritual Blindness (Part Two): The God of This Age
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeGod exercises sovereignty over both physical and metaphorical sight, determining when to open or close the eyes of His creation according to His will. He blinds as a form of judgment or out of mercy, ensuring that truth is revealed or hidden as He deems appropriate for His purpose. In His wisdom, He withholds understanding from some, as seen when He blinded and hardened the hearts of the Israelites due to their disobedience. He has concluded humanity in unbelief to show mercy to all, closing spiritual eyes of those He will work with in later ages. As the true God of this age, He restrains or grants sight, such as when He restrained the eyes of the disciples on the road to Emmaus before opening them to comprehend the Scriptures. For those perishing, the gospel remains veiled, their minds blinded by Him, lest the light of Christ's glory should shine on them. He equips only the elect with the Spirit to grasp deeper truths, while others await their time for understanding. His act of closing eyes is not vindictive but purposeful, aligning with His plan to guide creation toward everlasting light.
Who Is the 'God of This World'? (Part Two)
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeAs Moses had to veil his luminous face, so, metaphorically, the God of this age mercifully blinds carnal individual for now because light hurts their eyes.
We Are Unique!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhen your eyes are closed, you cannot see things clearly. You might perceive only a faint shading of light, but nothing is distinct or discernible. No matter how detailed a description is given, with eyes shut, the mind struggles to form a clear picture. This limitation mirrors the spiritual blindness that obscures understanding. Before the miracle of revelation, bits of information may enter the mind, but without the opening of spiritual eyes by God, true discernment remains elusive. There is a sense of uncertainty, perhaps even distrust or fear, when vision is impaired, reflecting how the world stumbles in spiritual darkness, unable to grasp the path ahead. Until God removes this blindness, the ability to perceive and apply truth as He intends is absent, leaving humanity to stagger without clear direction.
Spiritual Blindness (Part Three): Choosing a Curse
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbePeople choose the curse of spiritual blindness through habitually practicing the evils God commands us to avoid. We all have areas of spiritual blindness.
Wilderness Wanderings (Part Three) - Handpicked Children
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has allowed carnal nature to remain in His people so He can determine whether they seriously want to defeat the downward pulls of the flesh.
It IS All About Government
Sermon by Mark SchindlerEvery form of human government established on this earth has been established as an attempt to declare independence from the sovereignty of God.
Post-Resurrection Lessons
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOn the Road to Emmaus, some of Christ's followers were agitated, confused, and in turmoil, being unable to put the scriptures and the physical facts together.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIt is not the physical nation, but the spiritual remnant with whom God is working, circumcising their hearts and writing His laws in their minds.
The Wonderful, Powerful Gift of God's Holy Spirit
Sermon by John O. ReidWhen we receive God's Spirit, we cannot escape the responsibility of using it, being a light to the world in the correct way of living. Hi Spirit is His power.
Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDespite the growing popularity of Purpose-Driven churches, national immorality is still increasing. The 'emerging church' grows numerically by suppressing truth.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMany professing Christians have rejected major tenets of the Bible, fashioning their own religions, giving themselves license to sin in selected areas.
The Sixth Commandment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus magnifies the Law in Matthew 5, moving beyond the behavior into the motivating thought behind the deed, warning that we do not retaliate in kind.
Understanding Unity
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must separate ourselves from the world, sacrificing ourselves to God's purpose to become at one with God, waiting for Him to unify us to others.
Colossian Law-Keeping
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughNominal Christendom cannot see God's law even though it is in plain sight. In Colossians, Paul reiterates or alludes to all but one of the Ten Commandments.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part One): Introduction
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must keep the spiritual lessons of the letters, not just figure out prophecies. There are several ways to view them, but the most important is personally.
Back to Life (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAll of us who are called by God are so precious in His sight that Jesus Christ, before we were even born, died for us, saving us from oblivion.
Our Core Business
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWhen corporations get rid of their core business, they become less effective. Likewise when we deviate from our core job, we risk returning to the world.